5 Unconventional Habits of Creative Leaders
#4: They don’t work in silos
Conventional organizations shun risk and novelty.
Yet the most influential creatives in history have rebelled against such rigid thinking to forge revolutionary paths.
Rather than following the herd, bold leaders deliberately reject norms like playing it safe or limiting wild ideas, embracing attitudes that seem contrary to sound management.
Here’s 5 key things truly progressive leaders don’t do on their road to success:
1. They don’t play it safe
Playing it safe may seem prudent, but creative magic happens way outside one’s comfort zone.
Great leaders understand that groundbreaking innovations don’t come from cautiously clinging to the status quo.
They are willing to take bold risks and try unproven new things, even if it means failing at times.
Of course calculated risks are smarter, but fear of failure or embarrassment can be creativity’s worst enemy if left unchecked.
Creative leaders stay aware of these emotional pitfalls and actively shift their mindset to have the courage to take that leap.
“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.”
— Steve Jobs
2. They don’t shut down new ideas
Truly innovative leaders foster a culture where new ideas are welcomed, not immediately shot down.
They understand the huge power of “yes, and…” thinking to build on fledgling ideas versus reacting with knee-jerk skepticism.
They actively listen and ask probing questions to deeply understand, not to poke holes and undermine.
Even if an idea seems impractical on the surface, they dig deeper to uncover any hidden nuggets worth incubating.
This optimism about creativity makes others feel safe to continue surfacing and experimenting with fresh concepts.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
— Maya Angelou
3. They don’t demand perfection
Because innovation is iterative by nature, creative leaders focus more on moving forward than getting it perfect.
They bias toward action, not endless planning cycles.
They give themselves and their teams permission to learn through mistakes as they course correct.
Understanding that the first attempt is just a starting point removes heavy pressure and opens the door to rapid experimentation.
This build/test/improve agility is critical for bringing breakthrough ideas to light.
“Done is better than perfect.”
— Sheryl Sandberg
4. They don’t work in silos
Siloed territorial attitudes can severely limit creative potential, so collaborative partnership is key for innovative leaders.
They avoid fragmented isolated teams at all costs, actively connecting different groups and perspectives.
This diverse mix, rather than homogeneous views, gives rise to out-of-the-box thinking.
Creative leaders continually foster internal and external connections to spark novel solutions.
“None of us is as smart as all of us.”
— Ken Blanchard
5. They don’t maintain the status quo
Complacency is the mortal enemy of innovation, so creative leaders consistently reject the status quo.
They deliberately shake things up and energetically search out new ideas and better ways, rather than passively accepting how things have always been done.
Change and constant improvement are seen as huge opportunities, not threats.
Maintaining momentum depends on tapping into their relentless drive and passion. Culture transformation can start from their rebellious spirit.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
— Peter Drucker
The Takeaway
The most innovative leaders in business, technology, and culture have always rebelled against conventional wisdom to drive progress.
Rather than playing it safe within the status quo, they take smart risks, collaborate broadly, iterate quickly, and remain relentlessly focused on the future.
Leaning into these intentional approaches can unlock the full creative potential of an organization.
Progress depends on giving creativity the space, through a bit of healthy rebellion, to flourish.
🎨 💪 Ready to make your creative work suck a little less?
Each week, I send out a newsletter outlining principles you can apply to help take your creative work to the next level. Join here for free →