How Creative Confidence Can Be Your SuperPower

[REPOSTED FROM OCTOBER 31, 2024]

As a habit, I keep track of the questions that come up most often in my conversations with senior executives and during podcast interviews.

One of the most frequent questions is "How do you do what you do?"

Behind the question there's their curiosity about my approach to design Breakthrough so my clients can obtain extraordinary results. There's also a sense of intrigue about the concept of Breakthrough itself.

My answer is "I constantly exercise my Creative Thinking skills."

Over four decades ago, I discovered Dr. Edward de Bono's approach to use Lateral Thinking in everyday life. I found his method and tools fascinating and I applied them successfully to my sports marketing projects. [Photo, above]

• Lateral thinking is a creative thinking approach that involves looking at situations from new, unconventional perspectives rather than relying on traditional step-by-step logic. Coined by Edward de Bono, it emphasizes creativity and non-linear thought patterns to generate innovative ideas, solutions, or insights. Lateral thinking encourages breaking free from established thinking patterns and exploring seemingly unrelated or abstract associations to solve complex problems.
• Instead of asking "What is the answer?" lateral thinking often explores questions like, "What if we tried this differently?" or "Is there another way to interpret this?" This approach is widely used in fields like business, design, and creative industries to foster out-of-the-box solutions and enhance decision-making.

When I was offered a leadership position at a sports charitable trust in England, I requested to be sent to a week-long workshop on Creative Thinking Skills with Dr. de Bono at his private island in Venice, Italy as a signing bonus. That unique experience of learning at the master's side changed my life and the dimension of my professional skills.

• At the end of the workshop, I asked Dr. de Bono about my performance and future outlook. His answer was "You are quite creative, but what matters most is to always have the confidence to be creative." Inspired and encouraged, I set out to practice and masters my skills to steel my creative confidence and commitment to always aim to be a better thinker.
• Edward de Bono became my mentor through the intercession of his agent, Giovanni Vescovo, a Venetian marketing expert who hosted me over the years and taught me a great deal about influence, positioning and access. He was a master of creative confidence and innovation.
• Giovanni had created The Nobels Colloquia, a yearly event where he gathered Nobel Laureates in Economics and university professors to expand on their theories and forecasts. I was invited to participate in several editions and spoke at the Business Management seminar in 2011 on "Peak Performance Lessons from Sports for Senior Executives." My talk followed Edward de Bono's, which took me back full-circle to the start of our friendship and allowed me to share my findings on creative confidence could benefit the daily lives of an audience of high achievers.

My creative confidence grew in giant steps when I was given the opportunity to manage challenging projects at Swiss private banks from 2000 to 2017, as well as during my participation in sports tech start-ups and a wide variety of consulting engagements in many industries. In addition, I embraced a daily practice of solving creative challenges, read books from reputable experts and collaborated in projects with seasoned innovation experts.

• In 2004, I was asked to organize a unique event for ABN AMRO Private Banking Switzerland and I chose to invite Dr. de Bono, Richard Saul Wurman (the founder of the TED Conferences) and Dudley Lynch, author of "The Strategy of the Dolphin." We convened an international meeting at Dr. de Bono's island of Tessera in Venice, the same iconic venue where I had attended his workshop. The participants were a group of sub-billionaires who were exploring new investment categories, such as sustainability and climate solutions.

• After that event, I befriended Richard Saul Wurman, who became another one of my mentors, and who taught me a great deal about the essence of the TED Conferences and the concept of the confluence of ideas. This understanding empowered me to start TheSircle Executive Club events in Charlotte and Europe. As an homage to Richard, I wrote the online essay "The Tao of Richard Saul Wurman."

What I enjoy most about using and expanding my creative thinking skills is the opportunity to add value through alternative perspectives to leaders and their teams, to unblock, redefine and align "what is" with "what can be" so they can realize "what shall be."

How is this a SuperPower? Leaving any hyperbole aside, the value of my creative confidence is validated by expressions from my clients, such as "I want you in the room because no one else sees what you see," or "When you are at the table, you can provoke a creative shift for us," or "Help me untangle my mind's clutter so I can lead better and guide the team to achieve our targets." Creative confidence is a SuperPower as a tool to create New Value - and I'm the catalyst. The trust of those whom I serve is the foundation of our transforming collaboration.

As a Leadership Performance Strategist, I share my knowledge of Creative Thinking Skills and Lateral Thinking with my clients and their teams, so they can become confident, versatile, adaptable and resilient Thinkers who can design viable solutions and get results.

More about Leadership Performance Strategies

What is Creative Confidence and Why Does It Matter?

Creative confidence is a powerful blend of self-assurance, trust in one's ideas, and a willingness to innovate, driving executives, artists and athletes to experiment and push beyond conventional boundaries.

• Like them, I have direct experience of the need to continuously exercise and inspire creative confidence as a leadership strategist, as a mental toughness training coach and as an author, playwright, visual artist and documentary film producer.
• For the executives, artists and athletes with whom I work closely, creative confidence means aligning their knowledge, skills, attitudes, habits and perspectives while being resilient to setbacks and confident in taking risks.

The Value of Creative Confidence for Executives:

1. Problem-Solving with Vision: Creative confidence for executives is about tackling complex business challenges with innovative solutions, moving away from safe, incremental changes to envision bold, breakthrough strategies. It allows them to trust in unique approaches that can disrupt markets or create new business models, even if such paths have no established precedent.
2. Encouraging a Creative Culture: An executive's creative confidence directly impacts the work environment. Leaders who express their own creative strengths empower teams to take risks and innovate, building a culture where ideas can flourish and where team members feel safe to explore without fear of failure.
3. Risk Management and Adaptability: Executives with creative confidence embrace uncertainty as part of growth. They see setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures, giving them the flexibility to adapt in fast-changing markets.
4. Driving Visionary Projects: Creative confidence gives executives the conviction to champion groundbreaking initiatives, even when outcomes aren’t guaranteed. It builds trust with stakeholders as executives demonstrate they can envision, execute, and iterate on pioneering ideas that can drive the company forward.

The Value of Creative Confidence for Artists:

1. Authenticity and Expression: For artists, creative confidence is about trusting in their authentic voice, even when their work challenges conventional styles or societal norms. It fuels the belief that their unique perspective has value and can resonate with audiences.
2. Experimentation without Boundaries: Creative confidence lets artists explore new media, methods, or themes without fear of criticism. It empowers them to work on the edge of their comfort zones, innovating within their craft and exploring uncharted aesthetic or thematic territories.
3. Resilience in the Face of Rejection: Rejections or critiques are inevitable in the art world, but creative confidence enables artists to persist and evolve rather than feeling defeated. It’s about seeing each piece as part of a greater journey, with each step contributing to their growth as an artist.
4. Connecting with Audiences: Confidently expressing one’s artistic vision creates a profound connection with audiences. Artists with creative confidence inspire through their courage, inviting viewers into a personal narrative that challenges, enlightens, or excites.

The Value of?Creative Confidence for Athletes:

Creative confidence in athletes is the belief in their ability to approach their sport with originality, adaptability, and resilience. It is a component of their Mental Toughness. It allows them to trust their instincts, experiment with new techniques, and find inventive solutions in high-pressure situations, as follows. Learn more about my Sports Peak Performance training for professional athletes.

1. Adaptability in Performance: Creative confidence empowers athletes to adapt on the spot, whether reacting to an opponent’s move, changing game strategies, or recovering from setbacks. This ability to think creatively in the moment allows athletes to stay agile, make unexpected choices, and capitalize on new opportunities, often outsmarting their competition.
2. Risk-Taking with Purpose: Athletes with creative confidence aren’t afraid to try unconventional moves or play with different tactics, even if there’s no guaranteed outcome. It’s a willingness to step out of their comfort zones, experiment, and push past routine approaches to achieve a higher level of performance. This courage to take risks, often under high stakes, is what defines many of the most exciting and successful athletes.
3. Resilience in Training and Competition: Setbacks are inevitable in sports, from injuries to losses. Creative confidence helps athletes see challenges as opportunities to grow and innovate. They become resilient not just physically, but mentally, learning to pivot after a loss, build on each experience, and come back stronger with new approaches.
4. Developing a Unique Playing Style: Creative confidence allows athletes to express their individuality in how they play and approach their sport. From technique to game strategy, it’s the confidence to develop a unique style, often distinguishing great athletes who redefine how their sport is played.

Building Creative Confidence

My work as a Leadership Performance Strategist involves key habit-forming factors that develop creative confidence:

• Adopting a Growth Mindset: Believing that skills and ideas can grow over time encourages individuals to view challenges as opportunities.
• Safe Experimentation: Taking small, low-stakes risks can bolster confidence over time, especially when followed by reflection on what worked and what didn’t.
• Constructive Feedback: Feedback is invaluable, but only if it builds rather than erodes confidence. Seeking input from trusted mentors or colleagues can provide valuable insights without undermining self-trust.
• Cultivating Curiosity: Staying curious, open to learning, and connected with the work’s purpose can make creativity feel less intimidating and more like a natural, enjoyable process.
• Expanding Your Repertoire of Solutions: Like professional athletes, you can build creative confidence by experimenting in practice, engaging in visualization exercises, and setting challenges that push their adaptability.

The Difference between Problem Solving and Solution Design

I believe that it is important to distinguish between Problem-solving and Solutions Design. Both are critical for individuals and organizations, but they serve different purposes:

• Problem-solving stabilizes; solutions design innovates and future-proofs.
• Problem-solving can be focused and close-ended (you solve a specific problem and you are done, but then you need to move to the next one, and the next one...).
• Solutions Design is open-ended: while you are exploring alternatives to a particular situation, you might find intentional and non-intentional solutions to other issues.

Problem-Solving:

• Focus: Problem-solving typically centers on identifying a specific issue and finding a way to resolve it. The process is often reactive, addressing immediate challenges or obstacles that arise.
• Method: It involves assessing the current state, understanding the root cause, and applying analytical thinking or logic to correct the issue. Common methods include troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Goal: The main goal is to eliminate the problem or return things to a normal, stable state. Problem-solving usually seeks quick, effective fixes that can reduce disruptions or inefficiencies.
• Mindset: The mindset in problem-solving is often one of “restoring order” or “fixing” something that is broken or underperforming, which makes it focused and usually more short-term in nature.
• Example: A manufacturing line halts due to a machine breakdown. Problem-solving would involve identifying the mechanical failure, replacing or fixing the broken parts, and getting the line running again.

Solutions Design:

• Focus: Solutions design is proactive and often takes a broader, more holistic view. Instead of focusing solely on the immediate issue, it aims to create a system, product, or process that addresses underlying needs or opportunities, anticipating future challenges as well.
• Method: Solutions design involves creativity, ideation, user-centered thinking, and sometimes iterative testing. Methods like design thinking, prototyping, and co-creation are common. The process can be collaborative, involving multiple stakeholders to ensure the solution is sustainable, scalable, and adaptable.
• Goal: Rather than just fixing something, the goal of solutions design is to build a comprehensive, resilient solution that can continuously deliver value and be adaptable to future changes or challenges.
• Mindset: The mindset in solutions design is exploratory and generative, looking to build or improve with a long-term perspective. It’s often innovative and adaptable, accommodating change or growth over time.
• Example: In the same manufacturing line scenario, solutions design might involve reimagining the assembly process with automation, predictive maintenance, or modular systems to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and enhance overall efficiency.

Key Differences:

1. Approach: Problem-solving is corrective, while solutions design is generative and forward-looking.
2. Outcome: Problem-solving aims to restore function, whereas solutions design seeks to build or enhance it with a robust, adaptable outcome.
3. Scope: Problem-solving often addresses specific symptoms or issues, while solutions design creates broader, systemic solutions.

Why insist on the distinction? Because you will often encounter writings and teachings that address Creative Thinking as "Problem-solving," not considering that adopting a Solutions Design perspective can lead to new value creation that might not be possible otherwise.

Learn more about Solutions Design as a Leadership Performance Strategy

Noticeable Examples of Creative Confidence and Solutions Design

Each of these individuals displays creative confidence by challenging norms, while also engaging in solutions design that anticipates future needs or reimagines experiences in their field. Their innovations go beyond problem-solving to create lasting impact and inspire new approaches.

Business Executives:

• Sara Blakely (Founder of SpanX) - Creative Confidence: Sara Blakely demonstrated creative confidence by reimagining women’s shapewear from scratch. Starting with just an idea and no background in fashion, she had the confidence to pitch her unique concept, persist through rejections, and ultimately transform the shapewear industry. Her belief in the product and willingness to navigate uncharted territory in design and marketing exemplifies creative confidence, showing how trusting in one’s vision can lead to impactful change in the market.
• Tim Cook’s (CEO of Apple) - Solutions Design: Tim Cook’s focus on sustainable innovation and privacy-centric design at Apple showcases solutions design at a high level. Under his leadership, Apple has integrated eco-friendly production practices, such as using recycled materials in devices and powering facilities with renewable energy. Additionally, Apple’s consistent focus on data privacy reflects solutions design by prioritizing long-term trust and security for users, setting industry standards in both sustainability and digital ethics.
• Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft) – Solutions Design: Nadella's focus on cloud-first and AI-driven solutions at Microsoft is a transformative approach to software and productivity tools. He redesigned Microsoft’s strategy from a product-based to a service-based model, adapting to global, scalable digital needs and fostering collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams and Azure.
• Whitney Wolfe Herd (CEO of Bumble) – Creative Confidence: Wolfe Herd’s approach to dating apps shows creative confidence by turning industry norms upside down with Bumble, where women make the first move. This shift empowered a different type of user interaction, designed to foster a safer, more inclusive experience and address gender dynamics in digital dating.

Artists:

• Lin-Manuel Miranda (Playwright, Composer, Actor) – Creative Confidence: Miranda’s blending of hip-hop, history, and Broadway in Hamilton demonstrated immense creative confidence, as he trusted his vision for an unconventional show that redefined musical theater and engaged new, diverse audiences.
• Yayoi Kusama (Artist) – Solutions Design: Kusama’s use of polka dots and immersive infinity rooms reflects a distinctive form of solutions design, inviting viewers into interactive, often meditative spaces. Her work transforms traditional art-viewing by engaging audiences as part of the piece, creating collective, sensory experiences that expand artistic boundaries.
• Beyoncé (Musician, Performer) – Creative Confidence: Beyoncé’s album Lemonade and visual projects showed creative confidence in her storytelling and cultural exploration, challenging conventions by fusing music, film, and social commentary. This integrated, multidisciplinary approach shows how creative confidence can lead to groundbreaking cultural impact.

Athletes:

• Simone Biles (Gymnast) – Creative Confidence: Biles consistently pushes the boundaries of gymnastics with unprecedented moves, trusting in her abilities to redefine the sport’s standards. Her creative confidence lies in both her technical innovation and her advocacy for mental health, showing that peak performance includes well-being. She has been named as the world’s most marketable athlete for 2024.
• Stephen Curry (Basketball Player, Golden State Warriors) – Solutions Design: Curry’s three-point shooting approach revolutionized basketball strategy. Rather than focusing solely on the traditional role of a point guard, he created a high-efficiency shooting model that transformed team dynamics, illustrating solutions design by fundamentally reshaping the game and how teams approach offense.
• Pietro and Enzo Fittipaldi (Formula 1 and 2 drivers) - Creative Confidence: I worked with both Pietro and Enzo prior to their conquest of their first significant titles on their path to becoming Formula 1 and Formula 2 drivers, respectively. Pietro is the reserve and test driver for F1 Team Haas, as well as an IndyCar and LMP2 pilot. Enzo races for the Red Bull Team Academy in F2. Their training consisted in a large variety of habit-forming exercises and routines that would transform them into "confident fighters under pressure," focusing on how to solve situations in 0.2 seconds to improve and win consistently. Self-regulation, responsiveness and resilience are now their trademark as elite drivers. Read the story of their Breakthrough Championships

How to Increase Your Creative Confidence as a Business Executive

Increasing your creative confidence as a business executive is essential for fostering innovation, enhancing problem-solving skills, and driving organizational success.

Here’s a systematic approach to developing creative confidence you can explore:

1. Focus on Systematic Implementation

By implementing this systematic approach, you can cultivate a culture of creative confidence within your teams, leading to enhanced innovation, improved problem-solving, and greater overall success in your business or organization. Think "lifelong learning" rather than recipes.

2. Create a Supportive Environment

• Psychological Safety: Foster an atmosphere where team members feel safe to share ideas without fear of judgment or failure.
• Encourage Open Communication: Promote open dialogue about creativity and innovation, emphasizing that all ideas are valuable.

3. Provide Training and Resources

• Workshops and Seminars: Organize training sessions focused on creativity, design thinking, and innovative problem-solving.
• Access to Tools: Provide resources such as brainstorming tools, creativity software, and collaborative platforms that stimulate creative thinking.

4. Practice Creative Exercises

• Regular Brainstorming Sessions: Schedule regular meetings dedicated to brainstorming new ideas, encouraging participation from all team members.
• Divergent Thinking Exercises: Engage in activities that promote divergent thinking, such as mind mapping, role-playing, or scenario building.

5. Encourage Experimentation

• Pilot Projects: Allow teams to test new ideas through pilot projects or experiments, providing a low-risk environment for innovation.
• Celebrate Failures: Encourage a mindset that views failures as learning opportunities, recognizing teams for their efforts regardless of the outcomes.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

• Focus on Learning: Shift the focus from immediate results to the learning process, encouraging continuous improvement and resilience.
• Feedback Culture: Implement a feedback loop that emphasizes constructive feedback, allowing individuals to refine their ideas and approaches.

7. Foster Collaboration

• Cross-Functional Teams: Create diverse teams that combine different skills and perspectives, which can lead to richer ideas and solutions.
• Networking Opportunities: Encourage collaboration with external partners, mentors, and industry experts to gain fresh insights and inspiration.

8. Reflect and Iterate

• Regular Reflection Sessions: Schedule time for individuals and teams to reflect on their creative processes and outcomes, identifying areas for improvement.
• Iterate on Ideas: Promote the practice of refining and building upon initial ideas rather than seeking perfection from the outset.

9. Lead by Example

• Demonstrate Vulnerability: Share your own creative challenges and failures to model openness and resilience.
• Be an Active Participant: Engage actively in creative processes, showing enthusiasm for innovation and supporting team members in their creative endeavors.

10. Measure Progress

• Track Creative Outcomes: Monitor and evaluate the impact of creative initiatives and projects on overall business performance.
• Solicit Feedback: Regularly gather feedback from team members about the creative environment and their confidence levels, using this information to make adjustments.

Learn more about Training and Workshop opportunities

Five Critical Questions to Increase Your Creative Confidence and Solutions Design Skills

1. What personal strengths, skills, or experiences can I leverage to bring unique perspectives or fresh ideas to my field?

• Reflecting on your unique strengths and experiences can build the foundation for creative confidence by helping you recognize the value of your insights.

2. How comfortable am I with taking risks or exploring unconventional ideas, and what can I do to embrace uncertainty more confidently?

• Creative confidence grows when we learn to view risk-taking and uncertainty as part of the learning and innovation process.

3. What problem or need am I most passionate about addressing, and how can I begin designing a solution that is adaptable, sustainable, and user-centered?

• Solutions design starts by identifying meaningful challenges and aiming to create systems or processes that not only solve immediate issues but also adapt over time.

4. How do I currently respond to setbacks or criticism, and what mindset shifts can help me view these experiences as opportunities for growth?

• Building creative confidence and solutions design skills requires resilience; viewing setbacks as learning moments can transform challenges into growth opportunities.

5. Who are individuals or mentors I admire for their creative confidence and innovative solutions, and how can I learn from or connect with them to build these skills?

• Looking up to role models and seeking feedback can offer practical inspiration and guidance, helping you internalize principles of creative confidence and solutions design in real-world contexts.

Learn more about expanding your Creative Confidence with "The Glass is Full and a Half" book

Living in the Creative Confidence Mindset

As an evangelist of all concepts related to "designing the future," I continue to assist senior leaders and their teams in the development of their creative thinking skills to infuse innovation into their corporate culture.

In sports, I'm the co-creator and producer of the Tennis Innovation Conference, a mentor at LEAD (the legacy of Adi Dassler, the legendary founder of adidas), a consultant for sport tech start-ups and I'm spearheading the creation of a Sports Innovation Hub in Charlotte, NC.

As an artist, I write essays, draw, participate in the production of original filmed content, and I'm focused on adapting my stage play as a screenplay.

Knowing how I am a contribution is my true SuperPower.

As a fellow contributor, I encourage you to invest your curiosity and fascination into constantly becoming a Better Thinker, so you can ignite positive transformations and create a path for others to follow.

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