The Premortem Technique: How anticipating failure can help a new project succeed
The “Premortem” is a debiasing technique that flips the script on traditional project planning by asking team members to imagine that a project has already failed. This approach allows teams to identify potential pitfalls and prevent project dead-ends before it begins. By envisioning failure, a team works backward to determine why, proactively addressing risks, enhancing […]
Counteracting ‘Do Something Syndrome’ Leadership Lessons from Negative Space in Art
In the visual arts and music, negative space and silence are not mere absences but powerful tools that shape the audience’s experience. They guide focus and enhance understanding. Similarly, inaction or strategic restraint can be potent within projects and ventures, especially when countering the growing prevalence of ‘Do Something Syndrome.’ ‘Do Something Syndrome’ is the […]
Impact Investing for the Creative Economy: Purpose with profit
The creative economy, which generates $2.25 trillion annually and over 30 million jobs worldwide, is a transformative force in income generation, job creation, and export earnings, generating essential spillovers to the broader economy. Beyond its economic impacts, it also has a significant social impact, from supporting health and well-being to promoting social inclusion and local […]
Life in Proportion: Drawing inspiration from art curators
Art curators behind the captivating exhibits that grace museums and galleries possess a unique talent for selecting, arranging, and presenting artworks to tell a story, evoke emotions, and spark curiosity. Their ability to organize spaces that engage and inspire visitors goes beyond mere arrangement; it is an art form in itself. But what if the […]
Biomimicry: A fresh palette for the creative sector
Biomimicry, the practice of learning from and emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies, is increasingly inspiring human innovation across various fields, including the arts and creative industries. This approach offers a unique lens that enables innovators in any field to infuse sustainable solutions from biology into their design process. Biomimicry, sometimes defined as the “conscious […]
Unveiling the Unconscious: Techniques for debiasing
Every day, we make countless decisions, from the mundane to the critical. These decisions, whether we realize it or not, are influenced by cognitive biases. Cognitive biases act as mental shortcuts or heuristics, helping our brains make decisions quickly and efficiently, and allowing us to navigate the complex world around us. Biases are a natural […]
Embracing the Blank Canvas: Overcoming fear in decision-making
Vincent van Gogh left behind not only a legacy of vibrant paintings, but also a fascinating glimpse into his life, thoughts, and artistic journey, captured in over 2,000 letters during his lifetime. Most of these letters were addressed to his brother, Theo. In one particular letter written in 1884, he offers a poignant reflection on […]
(Still) becoming what you want to be? The power of the Multipotentialite.
In a world where specialization and focus are often prized, many creatives may feel like square pegs trying to fit into round holes. Traditional workplace structures and processes can sometimes stifle imagination and innovation. However, there’s a term for those who thrive in multiple domains and embody versatility and adaptability. Enter the world of multipotentialites. […]
Boosting Creativity: Think ‘Outside the Brain’
Creativity is often seen as a gift, an elusive or mysterious quality that only some people are born with. But what if we were told that creativity can be enhanced by tapping into the intelligence that exists beyond our brain? In the book “The Extended Mind”, science writer Annie Murphy Paul argues that our thinking […]
How Glenn Gould Changed The Game: Three Innovation Lessons
Glenn Gould was a Canadian pianist and creative trailblazer who transformed the piano field in the mid-20th Century. Gould’s legacy serves as a perennial source of inspiration, fascination, and, at times, controversy for subsequent generations. Here are three lessons on innovation from Gould’s remarkable story — Lesson 1: Develop your own voice and style. Glenn […]