In a Rut? Try Tapping Into Your Creative Side

From the Wall Street Journal | Oct 27, 2009

By ALEXANDRA LEVIT

Standing
out in a crowded marketplace isn't always easy. And these days, people
have seen it all, which means you might only get ahead if you use a
compelling and unique approach like Pat Lencioni's to present your
ideas.

Several years ago, Mr. Lencioni, 44 years old, of Lafayette, Calif.,
was a Bain & Co. consultant who loved writing screenplays and
fiction pieces on the side. He didn't move to Hollywood or New York
City to pursue his passion.

Instead, Mr. Lencioni stayed where he was-in the business world-and
used his talent to break out of the typical management-consultant mold.
He began writing business books that read like novels and featured real
characters to which textbook- and theory-fatigued readers could relate.
In "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team," for example, the fictional
DecisionTech's new CEO, Kathryn, must unite a fractured executive team.

Many say Mr. Lencioni's parables have sold over 2.5 million copies
because they attract people who need to be better managers but don't
want to read a traditional business book to do it. "The plot-driven
approach makes people want to read to the end," says Mr. Lencioni.
"Readers are also more comfortable passing the books on to friends
because they personally enjoyed them and were able to learn without a
lot of effort."

So, how do you infuse your day with creativity if it's not your natural strong suit?

First, block out some time on your calendar to think about it. When
you set aside time to do something, you elevate its importance in your
mind.

Practice clearing your head of all of your everyday concerns, turn
on some music, and let your mind wander. If you're having trouble
letting go, ask one of your artistic friends what she does to get in
the right frame of mind and try adapting that technique to make it your
own.

It also helps to look at your life and business from a different
perspective. In providing career advice during this recession, for
instance, I often pretended I was the person I needed to reach-a reader
who was out of work. I asked myself, "What information do I need right
now, and how would I best like to receive it?"

If your daily reading consists of one paper or online publication and Google news, you might try expanding your horizons.

In particular, today's literary fiction and narrative nonfiction
books are often worded so eloquently that they can't help but inspire
you to express yourself in a more creative way.

If you read before going to sleep, be sure to keep a pen and a
notebook by your bed to jot down ideas that come to you in the middle
of the night.

You might also want to start carrying a pad and pencil with you when
you commute or travel. Inevitably you'll overhear or see something that
provokes an interesting train of thought.

Mr. Lencioni suggests forcing yourself into an uncomfortable
situation to get your mind going-like doing manual labor if you're a
high-ranking executive, for example.

Sometimes just getting out of your comfort zone can spark creative
ideas. "And finally," he says, "you have to be willing to throw stupid
ideas out [there], or ideas that no one believes in but you."

Recognize that creativity doesn't understand deadlines. Because you
can't depend on a terrific idea to show up at a certain point, you
might try to build in long timelines for projects that require creative
zeal and try not to put a lot of pressure on yourself.

"My best insights don't usually show up when I'm sitting at my
computer waiting for them," says Mr. Lencioni. "I'll usually be jogging
or in the shower, or out in the public where my creative mind is
stimulated by watching others."

Once you've begun to think more creatively, look for ways to apply
this change at work, from suggesting new projects to discussing
projects in a new way.

- Alexandra Levit is a business and workplace author and speaker.

Write to Alexandra Levit at reinvent@wsj.com