Page 107 - 4- Leading_from_Within

Creativity can also evolve out of diligent research on the Internet and in
books and magazines that demonstrate new ways of dealing with old
problems. The same can be said for going to conferences and training
workshops with the intent of discovering some new approaches to

organizational excellence. It is also often helpful to learn things outside of
traditional economic development and try to apply that knowledge to your
organizational activity. The more open your mind is to new ways of
thinking, the greater the possibilities of developing new solutions to how
the organization can improve its performance.

Unfortunately, many people don’t believe in their creative capacity. If you
fail to believe that you are creative, it is unlikely you will be so. Someone
who denies their creative ability is not likely to pursue learning how to
become creative. The reality is that believing you are not creative excuses
you from trying or attempting anything new. 118

Exercise 16: Thinking Creatively

Your work group or the organization as a whole should meet for an
hour or so and take on a challenging topic of relevance to the
organization, such as identifying new business prospects for the
community. The goal is to collaboratively generate creative ideas
rather than rehashing the current approaches. This is a
brainstorming session where each person tries to build on the ideas
of another person in a group process. These ideas are not to be
evaluated for their merit, but explored as new possibilities that haven’t
been tried by the organization.

Possesses intelligence and learning agility

The ability to think innovatively doesn’t just happen. It requires an
intelligent pursuit of new ideas. Effective leaders are those who are capable

of and interested in continuous learning and improving, both for
themselves and for their followers. The motivation to learn is an attitude;
the ability to learn is a competency. From their experience leaders learn to

118 http://www.creativitypost.com/create/twelve_things_you_were_not_taught_in_school_about_creative_th
inking.

David Kolzow 107