Take a listen to these podcasts on leadership, company building, & creativity

(Photo credit @cdx2)

Last week was the longest year of my life. (Yes, I am so tired that I’m quoting memes!) 

Last week drained many of us in the US, so this week is aimed at getting you advice via voice. Take a moment to check out a couple of podcast episodes that I really enjoyed recently. Listen and enjoy! 

#techtopic

Earlier this week, Jessi Hempel of LinkedIn interviewed Natalie Nixon about cultivating creativity on the podcast ‘Hello Monday.’ I really enjoy starting my week listening to these conversations as Jessi does a great job connecting with her guest, and bringing unique stories and perspectives to the conversation. Creativity is such an integral part of the DNA of how a tech company operates that I wanted to highlight this conversation. 

• Podcast episode (~30min)

• Highlights:

  • The definition of creativity: "It’s our ability to toggle between wonder and rigor to solve problems."

  • On fostering creativity: "It's much more about being equipped to fall in love with process versus being solutions based and solutions-oriented.  We can exercise and cultivate creativity through what I call the three 'I's. And the three 'I's are inquiry, improvisation, and intuition."

  • Creativity is a muscle that anyone can exercise, and more people should as it will help you to be a better employee.

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Generating creative energy under constraint

(Photo credit @austindistel)

The sun came out this weekend, and it was glorious. I spent much of my weekend digging, mowing, and enjoying the outdoors. And now I'm back inside on a cold & dreary day. One of my biggest challenges in living alone in covid19 times is to keep my creative brain limber & cranking out new ideas. I am someone who is energized by collaborating & ideating with others, most often physically in a room together, bouncing ideas off each other. I get frustrated if I don't have creative outlets, and realize that taking time to color in a coloring book or sing with Google Mini or hike in a new place adds new neurological connections that help me in my daily work. And adjusting to these new constraints has actually been helpful.

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#techtopic

Did you know that "creative" is one of the most overused buzzwords on LinkedIn? Both individuals and companies all want to be known as "creative" and so many organizations throw millions and millions of money to increase creativity and innovation with little to show for it. These are also the organizations whose struggles with pivoting and redirecting are laid bare during a global pandemic.

Some would say this is why tech companies have seemed largely immune to covid19 -- the DNA of tech companies like Google structurally encourages creativity & bottom-up idea generation, which helps them respond to crises in a different way. The constraints placed on them due to Covid19 may yet encourage their biggest creative outputs yet.

Because: paradoxically,

Boredom + constraints + frustration = supercharged creativity

Don't believe me?

• How Constraints Force Your Brain to be More Creative (Fast Company)

• How Frustration Can Make Us More Creative (TED)

• Apple: Creativity Goes On

• Staying Creative as a Family During Lockdown (World Economic Forum)

• How to be Creative Under Pressure (Medium)

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Getting creative in your career

(Photo credit @alienwannabe)

1. Get really, really bored. Have fun with it and allow your creativity to flourish!

• Guide: How to start an Art Habit

• Need to get inspired? Watch these TED talks to kickstart your creativity

• Download free coloring book templates & doodle while you watch.

• Go take a walk

• Challenge your friends to a 'Design Thinking Off" via Zoom

2. Consider how to track and discuss your creative ideas at work. Companies need individuals who are not afraid to approach problems from new angles.

• Build and review your idea file often

• Try Amazon's approach of "working backwards"

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WANT TO LEARN ABOUT TECH BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO START? SUBSCRIBE HERE TO GET A FREE INSTANT DOWNLOAD ‘3 STEPS TO LEARN ABOUT TECH’