Creative Leadership

"A creative leader is part alchemist, part diplomat."

They are always looking for imaginative ways to influence people to achieve their vision and harness their organization’s creative energy.

At the heart of creative leadership is the ability to see and bring together opposites. Whether it is a vision for a wayward organization… simplicity for a complex task… consensus to a conflict… or revenue for a budget cut.

They reach out to all viewpoints and don’t allow opposing views to cancel each other out. They create time for innovation by abandoning the old and outdated programs and policies that get in their way.

They break those old rules from elementary school and replace them with the opposite guidelines for collaboration, improvisation and reflection.

• Rather than think there is only one right answer. They look for second and third right answers.
• Rather than think the teacher is always right. They challenge management to look for answers from all levels.
• Rather than think the right answer is in the back of the book. They are constantly revising policy manuals based on the changing environment.
• Rather than think that passing notes and looking on someone else’s paper is cheating. They encourage collaboration and appreciate diversity of thought, even contrarian viewpoints.
• Rather than think that the answer is not on the ceiling. They take time every day to look at the ceiling and visualize the future they want to steer their organization toward.

Phone: (434) 296-6138
eMail: Chic Thompson

Keynote Addresses / After Dinner Speaker / Creativity Workshops / Brainstorm Facilitator

UVA Batten Fellowship on Creative Leadership

HBS Case Study on Chic Thompson

Conference Keynote Addresses / After Dinner Speaker / Creativity Workshops / Brainstorm Facilitator