Creative leadership is the ability to make and realize innovative solutions particularly in the face of structurally complex or altering situations. It refers to those individuals who, when all is shifting and new approaches are yet unknown, can still create precision of purpose for their teams. These are leaders who seek to navigate – and even benefit from – the unpredictability around them. Not just for the organization or themselves, but typically also for society at large and the ecosystem of the planet.

Brantley Dunaway says that a team can be an extension of its creative leader by offering their ideas and insights into everyday decision making and problem solving. Providing autonomy and some decision-making power to a team enables their creative leadership skills to thrive. By depending on a team, a creative leader has more time and energy to pay attention on the bigger picture goals and ideas.

Continued learning is one of the most effectual steps to take toward becoming a creative leader. Educational resources vary from single articles to full-blown courses for individuals in leadership positions that teach tactics for creative leadership in the workplace. Leaders must also look to other individuals with experience when learning about leadership and management. Employees and other individuals in similar positions are unbelievable resources for learning how to be a better and more creative leader.

Events and seminars are a vital part of corporate training and are employed by a great number of companies looking to advance team-building and management training. The same holds true when it comes to creative management training. Looking for a seminar and attending it allows an individual a visceral, in-person resource for becoming a more creative leader.

In order to thrive, a company must adapt, grow, and create its own path to success. Creative leaders embrace unlikely and not accepted viewpoints. Unlikely perspectives enable for new and thrilling avenues to be revealed, which can be used to work out new and exhilarating changes to help the company thrive and grow.

Every creative leader needs time to clear their mind, imitate, and be imaginative. Creative leaders need to pay attention on big-picture ideas and reflect on what put them there in the first place: their creative vision. Quiet time exercising, meditating, being outdoors, and doing activities can keep the mind calm. In turn, this allows for time and clarity outside the busy day of running a company.

Employing creative leadership-building strategies, like continuing education, depending on trusted teammates, developing thought leadership, reflection, taking scheduled time out to develop creativity skills, leaning on mentors, and just having fun with peers, is important in the journey to becoming a successful creative leader in a thriving company.