Finding Inspiration in Unlikely Places

Creatives need inspiration. Maybe something to get them into the right frame of mind, maybe something to spark some specific ideas about visuals or textures or sound, inspiration can be a starting point or a nudge in a particular direction. Part of your role as a leader is to create an environment where inspiration can happen...you can't always BE the inspiration, but you can help your Creatives find it.

We often think of inspiration coming from positive sources...something noticed on the street, an overheard remark, your Creatives' inner passions. This is a big part of why you should create a work environment that allows these things to come through, whether it be by keeping things casual, or allowing your Creatives some flexibility in dress or work location, or creating a workspace that encourages discussion and collaboration.

But does every inspiration need to come from something positive?

Probably not. In fact, inspiration could come from the lack of something as easily as it can come from the presence of something.

An issue only becomes a "problem" when there's a solution for it. If you look at how the government works, you rarely see policies being developed out of the blue. Instead, they're presented as solutions to a problem. Drug research and medical advancements don't happen because people are healthy, they occur to fix something that's wrong. Your Creatives may be inspired by something they don't like as much as by something they do. If you see a videogame with bad graphics or a dumb storyline you may be inspired to create something better. A bad haircut begs for a better one. Those design shows on HGTV? They don't exist because people are happy with the way their living rooms look. Help your Creatives understand where their positive contribution can help correct something negative.

Necessity is the mother of invention. Just as they can be inspired by something they see, your Creatives can be inspired by something they don't. A gap, and empty space, something that should be there but isn't, can lead your Creatives to fill that gap. Your role is to help them see the gaps around them. Encourage questions and study and discussion. Give them time to turn away from the tasks you've given them and let them pursue some interests of their own, because wherever their passions lie, that's where they have the best chance of noticing that something seems a bit off, a bit empty. Encourage them to get away from their desk or their computer or the salon and see what else is out there...and, more importantly, what isn't.

You can't lead your Creatives around by the hand. If you need to do that, then they aren't very creative. What you should be doing, though, is creating opportunities for them to explore the world to see what sparks their creative spirit. Make sure they know not to just look for the obvious stuff jumping out in front of them; if that's all they consider, their creative output will be pretty run-of-the-mill. Instead, encourage them to look at sources that others might not see...that's the best way for you to get an original product from them.