3 reasons leaders should be the most creative employees

When we think about creativity, we don’t often think about the boss. When we think about a manager, we tend to think about numbers, the bottom line, and things that are black and white. When we think about creativity, we think about colors, wild ideas, and innovation. If you associate yourself more with the former, it may be time to start looking at yourself as the latter. Here are three reasons leaders should be the most creative employees.

It pays to think outside the box: As you work your way up to a leadership role, you learn how things are done. As the industry changes, what it takes to be successful also changes. When you subscribe to the same old way of thinking all the time, you can get stuck in a rut. When you think outside the box, you’re ready to innovate and succeed. Always encourage this way of thinking, and let your team see you lead by example.

Sometimes you have to go with your gut: A lot of the decisions we make are based on what we know and what we’ve seen. Sometimes, you have to trust your intuition and take a chance. If you never trust your gut and go out on a limb, you’ll probably never hit that homerun you’re striving for.

“Don’t get caught watchin’ the paint dry!”: I never understood the meaning of this quote from the classic basketball film, “Hoosiers” but I think it has some deeper meaning for leaders. It’s your job as a leader to make sure things are done right, but once a task is complete, it’s time to shift your focus to something else. Don’t stay focused on one idea (especially if it’s not working out well), but try new things, and don’t be afraid to innovate in all areas of your company.