We’ve lost our ways...

A call to return to our creative nature

Our divine purpose as creators

In the book of Genesis, we find a profound truth that speaks to the very essence of human nature: God created mankind in His own image. While it may be unconventional to reference religious text in a professional context, this fundamental principle transcends religion and speaks to our inherent nature as humans. We were created to be creators.

This divine connection to creativity isn't merely philosophical—it manifests in our daily lives. Whether we recognize it or not, we create constantly. Our words, actions, and decisions all have creative power. Just as the divine word spoke the universe into existence, our words have the power to build up or tear down, to create or destroy.

Yet in today's world, particularly in our professional lives, we've drifted far from this creative nature. We've become a society of consumers rather than creators, critics rather than builders. This shift represents more than just a change in behavior – it's a departure from our fundamental purpose.

The professional crisis: creation vs. destruction

In today's professional landscape, we face a troubling reality: it's remarkably easy to find people who will criticize ideas and remarkably difficult to find those who thirst for creating value. This crisis manifests most visibly in leadership, where some mistake destructive criticism for effective management, believing that beating teams into submission equates to strong leadership.

This destructive approach often stems from hubris and pride. Like Snoke in Star Wars, whose overconfidence blinded him to reality, leaders can become so convinced of their rightness that they lose sight of their true purpose: to build and elevate their teams. When leaders lean too heavily on a misconception of being "right a lot" (Listen to CEO of Amazon Andy Jassy speak about this) while neglecting to "earn trust", they create an environment where creativity withers and fear flourishes.

The impact extends beyond individual interactions. When teams witness destructive leadership, they become risk-averse and hesitant to contribute. People don't typically leave their jobs – they leave their managers, and often these departures can be traced back to leadership that destroys rather than creates, that consumes rather than builds.

The path of servant leadership

Leadership isn't confined to organizational hierarchies - it's a force that can emerge at any level. Whether you're an executive, manager, or individual contributor, your ability to influence and inspire others makes you a leader. The key distinction lies not in your title, but in how you choose to exercise this influence.

The foundation of effective leadership is surprisingly simple yet profoundly challenging: the golden rule - treat others as you would have them treat you. However, in our western society, where we're constantly bombarded with messages that we're "not good enough," this principle becomes complicated. How can we truly treat others well when we struggle to value ourselves?

True servant leadership emerges from a place of contentment - not complacency, but a deep understanding of our worth and purpose. As Matthew 5:5 (The Message) suggests, "When you are content with yourself, no more no less, that's when you find yourself owners of everything that cannot be bought." This contentment becomes the wellspring from which creative leadership flows, enabling us to elevate and accelerate everyone around us.

Reclaiming our creative nature

The path back to our creative nature begins with recognizing and breaking free from destructive patterns. In an age where criticism comes easily and creation requires courage, we must consciously choose to build rather than tear down. Like a child building sandcastles on the beach, we must rediscover the pure joy of creation - regardless of its permanence or perfection.

Technology, particularly AI, has emerged as an unexpected ally in this journey back to creativity. Like finding an oasis in the desert, AI tools can help rehydrate our creative spirit. They don't replace human creativity but rather lower the barriers to creative expression. When used thoughtfully, these tools can transform from mere productivity enhancers into catalysts for human collaboration and creativity, as demonstrated in simple yet powerful experiences like collaborative storytelling or team problem-solving sessions.

However, the most crucial step in reclaiming our creative nature lies in changing our default response from criticism to construction. When reviewing a colleague's work, instead of merely pointing out flaws, we must offer actionable solutions. Instead of asking "why won't this work?" we should ask "how might we make this work?" My good friend Julie Jenssen wrote a book about this, I highly recommend.

Call to Action

The journey back to our creative nature isn't just an individual pursuit - it's a professional imperative. As we stand at this crossroads, each of us has a choice: continue down the path of consumption and criticism, or return to our fundamental purpose as creators and builders.

The call to action is clear:

First, examine your daily interactions. Are your words and actions creating or destroying? Are you contributing to the growth of others, or are you diminishing their creative spirit? Remember, every interaction is an opportunity to build rather than tear down.

Second, embrace your role as a creator, regardless of your position. Whether you're crafting code, composing emails, or conducting meetings, approach each task with the mindset of a builder. Offer solutions alongside criticisms, and encourage the creative spirits of those around you.

Finally, commit to building a culture of constructive creation. Challenge the status quo of destructive criticism. When reviewing others' work, provide actionable feedback that moves ideas forward. Lead by example, showing that true strength lies not in tearing down others' ideas, but in helping to build them up.

We were created to create. It's time to reclaim our ways.

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About the Author

Bo Lora is a Principal Design Technologist and pragmatic futurist who seamlessly blends user experience expertise with cutting-edge web technology. With over 20 years of experience at industry leaders like Amazon, Dell, Travelocity, and USAA, Bo has established himself as a trusted expert in driving innovation and delivering exceptional user experiences across large-scale products and applications.

As a strategic leader, Bo guides cross-functional teams toward cohesive solutions that balance user needs with operational excellence. His vision extends beyond individual projects, shaping industry best practices through his active participation in the LinkedIn community and mentorship of UX designers, researchers, product managers, and engineers.

Bo embraces AI not as a replacement for human ingenuity but as an "exoskeleton" that empowers professionals to unlock productivity levels never seen before. His pragmatic approach seeks to harmonize human interaction with intelligent systems, removing inefficiencies while maintaining a user-centric focus. In the last two years, Bo has focused on the healthcare and life sciences industries, specifically clinical trials, which he believes are ripe for modernization. Bo's unique ability to identify opportunities, simplify complex challenges, and foster consensus empowers organizations to stay ahead of the curve, continuously evolving their digital offerings to meet the ever-changing demands of the modern landscape.