Whether it’s a result of the pandemic, working from home, or the extreme winter weather, chances are some time in over the last year, you’ve felt either a little bit stuck, or maybe even completely overwhelmed.  If you’re looking for ways to reignite your creativity in your work, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.  Today Thom Singer is joined by coach, speaker, and author Leslie Ehm, to discuss the role of creativity in advancing your career and finding satisfaction in your efforts.  From finding your swagger to effectively sharing your ideas and taking steps to advance your career today, Leslie is filled with the encouragement and enthusiasm that we all need to hear right now. 

 

On today’s podcast, you will learn about:

The definition and power of creativity and swagger

• Creativity is the ability to identify problems and develop richer and more effective solutions. 

• Anyone in any business is capable of learning and enabling creativity. 
• Swagger is the ability to manifest who you really are and the belief that who you are is good enough to bring the success you dream of. 

• The powerful combination of creativity and swagger has the potential to advance your career, your department, and your company. 
• The ability to speak your truth and come up with new solutions to unprecedented problems is the most valuable thing you can do for your organization right now.
• You will create more value by generating more self-belief and sharing it with others.

 

How to effectively share your ideas

• Regardless of your age, position, or years of experience, you can develop ideas that will create positive change.
• Connect with colleagues that will champion and further build on your ideas.  
• Once you have several people interested in your idea, share it with the next level up to take it even further. 
• Don’t be the person who says, “yes, but” — instead create a “yes, and” environment around your ideas. 
• Get others involved — people who create without the influence of a manager are less likely to successfully implement new ideas. 
• Understand the difference between risk and innovation and the critical role of both.

 

How to effectively advance your career today

• If you want to be noticed in your work, you have to take the time and effort to get noticed.  
• Don’t focus exclusively on upward movement in your career, focus on the opportunities and people around you as well. 
• Test out your leadership skills at a linear level right now. 
• Don’t pretend to be anything that you are not, but don’t allow yourself to be paralyzed by imposter syndrome either. 
• Ask for help and answers when you need them or limit yourself to effectively connect with and learn from others. 
• Empowering self-belief will enable you to connect with others and take risks with confidence. 
• Failure is all of the things that you don’t do.  The things that you are willing to try are called growth. 

 

Do you have an example of extraordinary efforts or innovation during these unprecedented times? We would love to hear your story and possibly interview you for an upcoming episode. Please reach out to us at www.DigitalEnterpriseSociety.org.