The document discusses how creativity and innovation are important skills for leadership. It argues that we are all born artists but many people lose confidence in their creative abilities due to fear of failure or harsh criticism from others. The presentation aims to help attendees overcome fears and embrace their creativity by suggesting techniques like sketching without judgment and visualizing future possibilities through group activities. Creativity is presented as an iterative process that benefits from experimentation and refinement of ideas over time.

1. The Art of Leadership
Doug Shaw
Ohio SHRM 2014

2. I Am An Artist

3. Why Are We Here?
Our objective today is for you to leave here,
better equipped to introduce creativity and
innovation into your place of work.

4. Creativity – It Matters
A major survey of CEOs selected ‘creativity’ as
the most critical capability to navigate today’s
complex world, rating it higher
than‘vision’,‘rigour’or ‘management discipline’.
Design Council - 2013

5. It Matters – So Why Isn’t It
Happening?

6. We Are All Born Artists

7. Vulnerability
‘Vulnerability is the path to
belonging, to innovation, trust
and creativity.’
85% of interviewees for Brene
Brown’s research can recall a
time in school that was so
shaming it forever changed how
they thought of themselves as
learners – 50% of those
recollections related to art and
creativity.

8. Are You Creative?
I ask people:
‘Can you draw/paint/sketch?’
They say:
‘I am not an artist’
Our work is our art
We are all artists -
Never be ashamed to admit it

9. Overcoming Fear - Draw For The Bin
We get hung up on believing
our work is not good enough.
We are not here to create
Masterpieces – we are here to
stretch our creative muscles.
Draw for the bin – not the
Royal Academy
Relax – and sketch yourself
Into existence.

10. Ebb and Flow – Tuning up the
Environment for Creativity
Creativity isn’t something you just switch on.
It ebbs and flows according to the environment and attitude around you.
What are the levers and dials you need to be aware of and able to adjust?

12. Iteration
Creative work is iterative. Once an idea forms, it develops over a period of time.
Each attempt, each mistake informs our learning until we realise the final tweaks needed,
in order to get close to what we see in our mind’s eye.

13. Coaching Questions
http://stopdoingdumbthingstocustomers.com/inspiring/leap-day-learning/
Using sketching and non judgmental questioning
to help create a coaching culture and improve your work.

14. Sketching the Future of Work
Inviting teams to cocreate a ‘big picture’ future for their work. Here’s just one
example, follow the link to see more. Had we more time, we would have
refined and developed our work further – the point was simply to get people
familiar with the concept on the day.
http://stopdoingdumbthingstocustomers.com/learning/visualising-your-work/

15. Creativity From Constraint
‘Creativity is subtraction – Choose what to leave
out’ – Austin Kleon
‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ Anon
‘Drawing is about mark making. Try to use only
the marks you need’ – Kit White

16. Further Reading
Photo Credits
Photos © Doug Shaw – except:
Work Sucks https://flic.kr/p/sFfHK
Vulnerable http://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_dreams/3581920427/
Sunflowers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunflowers_(painting)