Creativity takes Courage

Leadership: Creativity and Innovation

I got this article from:
Klemm, W. (N.D.). Leadership: creativity and innovatio. Concepts of AirForce Leadership, Retrieved from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/au-24/klemm.pdf

When and how did you locate this article:

I located this article when I was researching this article for this assignment.

Two paragraph synopsis of what you learned in this article:

The article went into detail about what creativity is, where it comes from and how leaders can extract/promote the creative process. Creativity are the new ideas that arise naturally and comprehensively from certain everyday abilities of perception, understanding, logic, memory, and thinking style. It occurs when a person considers many options and invests time and effort to keep searching rather than settling for mediocre solutions. It depends on freeing of our right brain from domineering control of the left brain.

Ironically, the typical leader tends to reward people for left-brain thinking (rigorous/precise thinking). This rigorous and precise thinking may be stifling creativity. As a leader you need to inspire a desire to be creative, a belief that there is a creative solution and that they CAN find it. Leaders have more control over the creative process than they think. They should foster an attitude and environment that distinguishes fear of being penalized for failure, not getting adequate support, or having enough time. There should be plenty of time for “mental freedom” to let emerging ideas take them where they will. A leader is to provide challenge, but not so much that it becomes a burden. Although leaders can’t force creative thought, they certainly can be receptive to it and recognize and value it when it happens. The best way to express value for an idea is to implement it.

How will you apply this knowledge to your professional development:

I will apply this knowledge to my professional development by taking this concept with me to my internship as well as future agencies I may be working for. “Creativity takes courage.”

As a creative person, I promise to never be afraid of speaking up about my new ideas. The article stated that “a focus on the old ideas run the risk of being obsolete.. moreover, just how sure can you be that the old ideas are the best ideas?” I think this is important to keep in mind because content-ness with the mediocre can be stifling.

Even if the agency can’t afford to be creative, the article suggests that ‘maybe they can’t afford NOT to do new things.” Creativity is quality in my mind which is especially critical to the profession of TR. It is the driving force behind the quality of service. We are expected to be leaders and creative at all times. It can be exhausting, however, the extra effort is a challenge that I am willing to continue to pursue.

Would you recommend this article for other TR students:

I would most definitely recommend this article because it offers a positive concept of creativity and leadership. It suggests that creativity and innovation are not mysterious forces over

which leaders have no control. It offers leadership initiatives that have the potential to enlighten leaders to stimulate creativity and innovation in any work setting.