Ideasicle Podcast

Justin Brady, The Creative Environment - Episode #35

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We have all walked into businesses or ad agencies and seen the tell-tale signs of creativity. You know, the ping-pong table, the pool table, the rooms specially designed to force people to run into each other. But are these just gimmicks from non-creative companies? Or are they the result of an already-creative culture?

We’re going to get answers to these questions and more from Mr. Justin Brady, author of Wall Street Journal article, "Some Companies Foster Creativity, Others Fake It." In that article, Brady outlines his "LET" process - listen, empathise, and trust.

Show Notes:

  • We begin by discussing what, exactly, creativity is - messy, chaotic, even disgusting.
  • Even those who are known to be creative reak of failure - from DaVinci to Apple.
  • Justin talks about the "gimmicks" of the creative environment and whether they create creative environments or are a result of them. Some great examples. Quote: "Gimmicks don't do squat."
  • We discuss how to motivate employees to create, in general, and look to the child for inspiration.
  • Justin doesn't believe the environment plays much of a role in creativity at all. It's all about leadership. Just look at all the lovely garages that start-ups star up in.
  • The "LET" process:
    • Listen - it's about NOT finishing other people's sentences in your head (think about it). Oh, and everyone can tell when you aren't listening.
    • Empathise - putting yourself into someone else's shoes. Beyond listening, here we're talking about questioning your own world view in order to truly respect what others are saying/believing.
    • Trust - with trust, leaders must take risks. They must believe in their employees enough to let them go, and do. And when they fail by trying, celebrate, do not punish.
    • We wrap up with a few examples of really good leadership in the business world.

      • Bio:

      Justin Brady is a creativity cultivator (http://justinbrady.me/) and is the owner of Test of Time Design, a goal-oriented design agency. He has been quoted in numerous publications and has written for CommPro.biz and the Wall Street Journal. He founded the Iowa Creativity Summit, has an Emmy nomination and recently contributed to best selling author, Matthew E. May's newest book The Laws of Subtraction. 

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      Ideasicle PodcastBy Will Burns