Leading On The Creative Edge

Leading on the Creative Edge provides you with the vital information you need to take your leadership to a new level. It shows you how to nuture your own creativity while igniting the creativity in others.

Organizations and individuals must adapt, innovate, and drive lasting change in today's rapidly evolving world. To navigate this landscape successfully, harnessing the creative edge has become essential. This involves cultivating strategic thinking and innovative approaches, leveraging the transformative power of culture and technology. Culture plays a pivotal role in shaping perspectives, values, and approaches to problem-solving. Embracing cultural diversity and fostering an inclusive environment enables organizations to tap into a rich tapestry of ideas and experiences. By valuing diverse perspectives and embracing cultural competence, teams can unleash their creative potential, sparking fresh insights and breakthrough solutions. Furthermore, technology acts as a catalyst for innovation, revolutionizing how we work, communicate, and create. The digital age has given rise to unprecedented opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and disruptive thinking. Embracing technology and staying abreast of emerging trends enables individuals and organizations to remain agile, adaptable, and at the forefront of change. Strategic thinking provides a framework for driving intentional and impactful change. It involves critically analyzing the current landscape, identifying key trends and drivers, and formulating a clear vision and goals. By cultivating strategic thinking, individuals can navigate complexities, identify opportunities, and make informed decisions that drive sustainable change. On the other hand, innovation fuels the creative engine that propels organizations forward. It encourages the exploration of new ideas, experimentation, and a willingness to take calculated risks. By fostering a culture of innovation, organizations can create an environment where creativity thrives, leading to breakthrough products, services, and approaches. To unleash the creative edge, individuals and organizations must foster a culture that encourages diversity, inclusion, and openness to new ideas. Creating spaces for collaboration and cross-pollination of perspectives enables the fusion of cultural influences, generating innovative solutions that resonate across different contexts and markets. Moreover, harnessing the potential of technology amplifies the creative edge. Embracing digital tools, automation, and data-driven insights enhances productivity, streamlines processes, and unlocks new possibilities. By leveraging technology as an enabler, individuals and organizations can augment their strategic thinking and unleash their creative potential on a larger scale. It is critical to bridge the gap that exists between creative and strategic thinking to achieve lasting change. This involves translating innovative ideas into actionable plans and implementing them effectively. By combining strategic acumen with a creative mindset, individuals and organizations can drive tangible outcomes and make a meaningful impact in an ever-changing landscape. In conclusion, cultivating the creative edge is paramount for individuals and organizations seeking to thrive in the era of culture and technology. By embracing cultural diversity, fostering inclusivity, and leveraging technology, they can unlock the transformative power of strategic and creative thinking. This empowers them to navigate complexities, drive lasting change, and stay ahead of the curve. With the creative edge as a guiding force, individuals and organizations can forge a path of innovation, adaptability, and success in our dynamic world.

Discover the x-factor—the driving force behind extraordinary success. What accounts for the difference between the mega-success of Madonna and a thousand other wannabees waiting in the wings? Why did JK Rowling succeed where so many others aspiring writers have failed? And what was it about the slightly neurotic and mediocre schoolboy Sigmund Freud that ensured his position as one of the most brilliant and original thinkers in history? In this engrossing new book, Taylor builds on his theory that feeling like an ‘outsider’ from an early age, whether consciously or subconsciously not fitting into the norm, creates an edge that can drive outstanding success in later life. To this core philosophy Taylor adds a new ingredient: that of creativity, and he explores the interplay of these two factors—a lack of belonging and creativity—in the lives of a sparkling cast of individuals. Go beyond the glitz and glamour to discover how creative energy, harnessed to produce lives and works of extraordinary genius, can often exist against a backdrop of personal struggle and despair. From childhood outsider to adult icon, understand the journey of the following celebrities: Brad Pitt • Elvis Presley • Frieda Kahlo • Walt Disney • Sigmund Freud • Albert Einstein • Andy Warhol • Coco Chanel • David Beckham • Dan Brown • John Lennon • Sir Edmund Hillary • JK Rowling • Angelina Jolie • Tiger Woods • Amelia Earhart • Madonna

Library facilitators of art-based creativity sessions will learn how to choose materials and art experiences appropriate for young people from toddlers to teens and for intergenerational groups. In the modern world, innovative and creative individuals have a distinct advantage: the creative edge. The Creative Edge explains how you can design and conduct art-based creativity programming in your library. Written by a library creativity specialist, this book is the result of the author's many years of experience facilitating art groups for all ages. Her programs have achieved national recognition and will serve as a guide for others to establish art-based creativity sessions. In this book, she incorporates research that documents the importance of creativity as an essential component of childhood development and connects it to library learning goals, including literacy. Creativity research can be applied in libraries and at other public institutions to develop programs that will meet the needs of the next generation. The book includes many practical elements, such as lists for recommended art materials, step-by-step instructions on setup and procedures, and ideas inspired by picture book illustrations that connect to story time themes. The Creative Edge teaches readers how to provide programs that promote child-led exploration, experiential learning, innovative thought, and creative confidence.