Passion is one great force that unleashes creativity, because if you’re passionate about something, then you’re more willing to take risks. Yo-Yo Ma
Creativity can be elusive. It’s not something that you can summon at will. When it happens, it strikes like lightning. You get an inspiration or the right word or phrase or idea just pops into your head.
Yet, like lightning, creativity can be maddeningly unpredictable. But creativity is an essential element of a leadership mindset, so it’s important to understand the creative process and how you, as a nonprofit leader, can cultivate your creative juices.
The creative process is largely internal and unconscious. I doubt anyone wakes up and says “Hey! Today I’m going to be creative.” Creativity is all about taking in a lot of influences and letting those influences combine, ferment and morph in your subconscious. Together, they form a “mental potting soil” in which the seeds of new and different ideas have a chance to germinate and grow.
The more you learn, read, see and hear the more seeds and creative soil are available to you to use.
As a nonprofit leader, if you want to cultivate your creativity, the best thing you can do is open yourself up to new experiences. Be curious. Do something new, like trying a new hobby. Challenge yourself. Do the unexpected.
The more you push out of your boundaries, the more you will charge your creative batteries. When those batteries are charged inspiration will strike. Who knows where a new idea will take you?
Does this resonate with you? Please comment below and share your experiences about this with us!
Best!
