Is Creativity The Number 1 Leadership Skill Needed Today?

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Comment by Paul Alberti on December 22, 2011 at 7:58am

So many competencies - so little time. A leader has to have a well-rounded set of skills and competencies and know when and how to use them. No one competency supersedes another - it is the timing in which you need to use it that is important. If you are thinking about being creative when you should be listening, or delegating when you should be leading - it doesn't matter how good you are. Maybe "Timing" should be a competency also?

Comment by Dale Rupright on December 21, 2011 at 6:04pm

I would take listening over creativity any day. I mean, if you don't listen to people, you won't ask the right questions that will generate the information you need to be creative in developing a solution. If you don't know what is really wrong, how will you know how to fix it?

Comment by Mark Hammer on December 21, 2011 at 8:56am

I agree that performance of every job, no matter what the level or context, can be improved when incumbents are more insightful.  I also agree that "we've always done it this way" is one of the lamest excuses in history.

That said, we work within organizations, governed by statutes, legislation, policies, and expectations, from citizens, from other work units, and from government, and "how things are done" merits some respect.

Perhaps where we differ is in terms of what we are calling "creativity".  The study cited is of private-sector leaders, not public sector.  I can see where very divergent thinking can be an important component of what permits a business to "elude" their competition, and remain viable.  Here, we work in the public sector, where the goal is not to compete, but to deliver on expectations.  Sometimes, as I say, divergent thinking assists us in doing that, but not always, and not in all cases.  Now, if you want to repackage practicality as creativity, and call a manager, who deems that a redvision of the tasks in their workplan will permit the work to be done more effectively and efficiently, "creative", be my guest.  Personally, I associate creativity with something a little further from the beaten path, but I can see where others would hold a different interpretation.

Comment by Paul Wolf on December 20, 2011 at 11:52pm

Mark,

I think creativity can be applied every where. I don't see why it could not be applied to border patrols, inspection of dangerous goods and police work? Every job has things that are done for no reason other than "we have always done it this way". Every job in my opinion has room for doing things differently/creatively. 

Comment by Angel Llerena on December 20, 2011 at 10:54pm

Yes, I agree.

However, I feel that before "creativity" takes the lead role in leadership, better leadership qualities overall is what's needed. Too many in leadership roles are there because of who they know, being good test takers or provided opportunity by new administration. Imagine how much of a learning curve is necessary when placed into a position that you need to learn the culture, programs, services, previous outcomes, what is shared with you on what works and what has not by people with many years in government that may or may not provide you the best information possible to perform at the best of your ability, and hope that you are not blocked by those who refuse to change even if your suggestion is better than what in practice for years that needs to be changed for the better. Personal agendas of others can quickly take over what you intended to do when you arrived, and you could easily fall into survival mode by not creating waves and stay with the "status quo."

What can change this is having Government be limited to a certain amount of appointees that in some states reach across all positions, including those "protected" under "Civil Service." This practice does nothing but stump morale, demotivates good employees, creates chaos and resentment among employees, with the exception being that some employees "stay their course" no matter what knowing that regardless what is happening their efforts and accomplishments will warrant their opportunity for advancement at some point in their career, which are few with this mindset, while others just start to "cruise" until retirement, and others stop caring about making a difference.

Other change needed is perhaps adding to the "test scoring" and "ranking." May want to include the following in the selection process; evaluations of personality, creativity, motivation, ability to communicate effectively, sales abilities, customer service and people skills. The current "test and ranking" system allows for too much play, allowing management to manipulate results to an outcome desired.

Comment by Mark Hammer on December 20, 2011 at 10:54pm

There are contexts where "creativity" is permitted, and maybe even encouraged or vital, and contexts where it's the last thing you want.

Do you want creativity in someone who manages a border patrol, or manages inspection of dangerous goods?  I don't think so.  Do you want it in agricultural policy development?  Maybe.  Do you want it in police work?  Not so much.  Municipal planning?  Yeah, from time to time.

Much like ANY leadership quality, context is key to what matters.

Comment by Janina Rey Echols Harrison on December 20, 2011 at 5:26pm

I wanted to be an artist when I was growing up, a musician, a fashion designer, but life happens or doesn't and we have to move on.  What I discovered was I could be creative in so many different environments, lead and influence people, help them grow and be creative.  My children found some of my art and urged me to get back into it. My explanation to them was that there are so many outlets for creativity in our every day lives. This is where inventions happen, innovation, and I agree with Paul Alberti, curiosity and need drive creativity.

I still love art, music, and style but found my need for survival, once I was old enough that my parents would no longer support me in those artsy pursuits, led me to greater discoveries in life. That I could use my creativity in almost any setting.  It has made me a perpetual student and teacher.  Curiosity drives me to learn a new skill, create something from that and teach that new skill to the next person. 

I found less creativity in public sector (been here almost 10 years).  The factor that I perceive as being a stumbling block to creativity is an unwillingness to take risk.  Risk could cost a career.  Everyone I consider to be creative is willing to accept risk as a part of life.

Yes, leadership needs to be creative.  How do you find ways to inspire people to follow without it?

Comment by Natasha Stark on December 20, 2011 at 3:38pm

Frankly I'd take ethics, integrity and honesty over creativity.

Comment by Alexandra Ritchie on December 20, 2011 at 3:32pm

So, why don't we throw out the whole idea of a resume or at least the notion of a resume template and let prospective employees use ingenious ways to demonstrate their value? We just need the HR community and managers to embrace these radical new submissions.  Maybe I am a dreamer, but I love to think that we have entered the age of the Video Essay that Elle Woods introduced to us in Legally Blonde!  How's that for creative thinking?

Comment by Mark Hammer on December 20, 2011 at 1:33pm

Advertising agency Benton & Bowles used to have an ad slogan for their company that went something like "It's not creative unless it sells".  The gist was that , while "creativity" was all well and good, and a noteworthy characteristic of many successful ad campaigns, it was ultimately subservient to a higher-order principle: getting the job done.

Sometimes, clear thinking and pragmatism is the most "creative" thing a leader can offer.

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