How's your creativity at the moment?

What comes to mind when you think of creativity?

I recently posted this question on social media and the responses were overwhelming creative outlets such as crafting, sports, hobbies etc. 

Nothing surprising there. 

Most responders were professionals in big tech, startups and legal, but there was very little mention of creativity in work. 

I’m curious about creativity because I often speak with prospective clients who feel there is a lack of creativity in their life.

It’s worth thinking about…

Numerous studies have found that creative expression reduces stress and anxiety, helps us to process emotional trauma, increases problem solving ability and promotes innovative ideas. 

When I dive into this with clients, the most common first step is to consider looking for a creative outlet outside of work. 

I often challenge clients to invite creativity into their workplace. 

There is often no shortage of (creative) ideas about how to be more creative at work. 

The challenge is almost always the inner blocks towards acting on those ideas. 

The most common block; fear of judgement. 

And there we have it; the slaughterer of creativity; fear of judgement. 

“What will people think/ say about me”

“How will I be perceived”

“What if people laugh at me”

“What if no one comes to the event”

“What if don’t get a response”

It all makes sense.

But here the capital-t Truth. 

No one is judging you.

Just like you, most people are in their head, worrying about what other people are thinking or saying about them, or their busy wrestling with their own problems. 

Most people are incredibly empathetic and caring, they also spend a lot of time worrying about their own problems. 

Ok, some people might judge, but that's usually a reflection of a suppressed desire to create some change in their own life. 

If your action triggers that, well done, that's a powerful contribution to the world.  

I personally faced this fear during the pandemic when I started posting content while holding a senior leadership position in a barristers chambers. 

I was talking about meditation, breathwork, inner work, all the things that are foreign to the legal world! 

It was terrifying and my fear of judgement kept me awake at night. 

One day, an ex-boss called me and asked ‘are you ok?’

He’d been talking to someone who was concerned about my posts, wondering if I was alright,  which I took as code for ‘have you lost your mind?’

Someone I respected reached out to say he had been talking about me to other people. 

Kind of the worst case scenario my mind had created. 

Also pretty understandable. It might have been a shock to see me talking about topics that are foreign to some people. 

It was equal parts terrifying and freeing to have my worst fear become a reality. 

The next day, something really powerful happened. 

An old contact who I respect a lot reached out to say how inspired he was to see me doing what I was doing, and to keep it up. 

I’ll always be grateful to that person. 

Since then, I’ve learned that people are deeply inspired when we express ourselves, innovate, create. 

I see it as a form of service to others. 

I’m sharing this because as a powerful leader committed to creating a life that becomes a legacy, it’s your duty to go beyond the fear of judgement. 

Because that’s where the gold lies. 

What fresh new idea can you bring forward? What cause can you join to share new ideas with? 

What one thing can you do this week to express your creativity at work?

How can you show differently to invite creativity and innovation into your team?

What initiative do you know your workplace or your industry needs that you can help with? 

Best of luck on your creative mission. 

Be well,