Creativity is the most important leadership competency, according to IBM’s Global Chief Executive Officer Study. According to the study, leaders work with teams toward a shared vision and integrate a strong learning component with feedback loops that allow for learning and adapting to changing needs and services.
Creative leadership embraces creativity, takes risks that disrupt legacy and leaps beyond the tried and true management systems.It should be taught and fostered throughout the organization, not just in silos. The approach should be collaborative, with the ability to view systems and how decisions impact across systems. Feedback should be used to adapt to feedback and changing needs.
Technology should be integrated into collaborative processes to provide better support and clarity for decision-making. This approach supports the ability to see around corners, to act decisively despite uncertainty, to learn from new information or mistakes and do course corrections, and to use the successes and failures to learn from others.
In addition to embracing creativity, leaders and their organizations should honor their customers above all else. They should use two way communication with customers and then profit from the information explosion that process creates. Lastly, they should build operating dexterity by simplifying when possible, managing systemic complexity and promoting a mindset of being fast and flexible.
APR
About the Author:
Deborah Brown (Debbie) founded Atlanta based D&B Consulting, Inc. in 1993 to provide executive career and leadership coaching, and executive career transitions and outplacement services to organizations and individuals. She is a Master Practitioner of the MBTI personality assessment and a Certified Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach® through the Institute of Social + Emotional Intelligence® of Denver, Colorado. Debbie earned the SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification.