Why Creativity Demands Courage
The Fear Behind Every Creative Act
Every creative person knows this feeling: you put your work into the world and wait. Will it be loved, ignored, or torn apart? Creativity is a leap of faith that requires you to show who you are inside, and that leap takes courage.
What the Data Tells Us
Our Valuegraphics database reveals something remarkable. People who place a high priority on Self-Expression over-index on Courage by 32 percent. Said differently: when people value expressing themselves, they are also much more likely to have the courage it takes to do so. It is a pairing that helps explain why some people seem to create so fearlessly.
A Leader’s Guide to Creative Courage
This insight is not just for artists. Leaders in every field need to find their creative catalysts, the people who can think new thoughts, and make space for them to do their thing. If you want more innovation inside your team or organization, you need to encourage these people to speak their truth. You can do that by celebrating transparency and protecting them when they take risks.
Illustrative Example
Imagine a product team tasked with redesigning a service. If the workplace culture rewards only safe, incremental ideas, the bold ones never surface. But if leaders take a few simple steps and share their own vulnerable ideas, the entire group is freed to do the same. More importantly, the real creative champions will be easy to spot.
The Four-Step Creative Framework for Leaders
Here are four steps you can use immediately:
Make it safe for people: Make it clear that authentic contributions are protected.
Show your mess: Share your own imperfect drafts, half-formed ideas, or vulnerable thoughts.
Don’t stint on praise: Celebrate attempts, not just outcomes. Courage grows when risks are respected.
Keep your eyes open for the creative ones: Notice who thrives when given freedom to express themselves. They will be your hidden creative catalysts.
Why It Matters Now
Creativity is currency today because we need creative responses to the never-ending challenges that come at us. It might just be me, but I sure feel like the rate of change has sped up more than I’ve ever seen before. Leaders need to help their creative catalysts leap further, innovate faster, and stay inspired longer.
WHAT MATTERS MOST to the people you need to inspire?
Values are the answer. Let’s put them to work.
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