I work with many wonderful teams and organisations and am always amazed at how many leaders say, “But I am not creative.”
And recently, some futurists said that creativity has become the most endangered species of the 21st century. We have a broadband culture but not the creative, original thought to fill it.
A global study of 1,500 CEOs by IBM showed that in an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment the most important leadership attribute is creativity. We need to be ready to pivot in a rapidly changing world to manage increasing social and economic challenges.
So how do we get more creative?
Steve Jobs said that creativity is just about connecting things.
And I’d like to suggest that those things might be all the experiences in your life up to this moment. So, the broader and richer your experience is, the more tools you’ll have in your creative toolbox for when you want or need to get creative. And I believe, the best thing to get creative is what I like to call positive human collisions. That is, connecting with people on a regular basis who are really different from you.
We spend most of our lives talking with, dressing like, feeling safe, and endorsing those who are really like us. They make us feel good about ourselves.
But I believe our greatest gains as human beings are when we connect to people who are really different, who challenge us and the way we think, who take us outside of our comfort zone and challenge our notions of ourselves and the world we live in. And boy, can it feel uncomfortable!
This is called “creative abrasion” and this is the space where creativity and innovation truly spark.
To get truly creative, surround yourself with people who are different from you.
I invite you to watch the video below to hear more about positive human collisions.
Tania de Jong AM is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators having developed 5 businesses and 3 charities over 3 decades. Tania works across the public, private, creative and social sectors. She founded Creativity Australia, Creative Universe, MTA Entertainment & Events and The Song Room and works with disadvantaged communities through Creativity Australia’s ‘With One Voice’ choir social inclusion programs. She has also recently co-founded Mind Medicine Australia.
Tania presents keynote speeches and leadership programs and performs internationally as a soloist and with her group Pot-Pourri. She has released ten albums including her new solo release Flying Free.
Tania’s TED Talk How Singing Together Changes The Brain has been viewed over 80,000 times globally. Tania empowers people to find their purpose so that they can unleash their true potential. Her mission is to change the world, one voice at a time.
Please be inspired by Tania’s new keynote speaker SHOWREEL (3 minutes) and some recent clients comments to inspire you: https://www.taniadejong.com/speaking-mc/client-testimonials/
She is Founder and Executive Producer of Creative Innovation Global winning national and international awards. Creative Universe and Creative Innovation Global were ranked among the top 20 event organizers and agencies from around the world as part of the newly released Eventex All-Stars Index.
Tania has founded a co-working space called Dimension5 in Melbourne to drive social innovation and collaboration.
Tania’s awards include Ernst and Young Australian Social Entrepreneur of the Year. She was inducted into the AGSE Entrepreneurs Hall of Fame at Swinburne University and named Brainlink Woman of Achievement.
Tania was named in the 100 Women of Influence and the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs in Australia. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2008 for service to the Arts as a performer and entrepreneur and through the establishment and development of music and arts enrichment programs for schools and communities.
Tania speaks and performs around the world inspiring diverse audiences of 10 to 10,000 people ranging from corporate executive teams, boards and entire organisations to universities, hospitals, schools, business and entrepreneurship forums and at major national and international conferences and public events.
She consults to a number of national and multinational organisations at C-Suite level providing keynotes, performances, leadership, team building and innovation workshops, connections and strategic advice.
For more detailed information on Tania’s presentation topics or to book her for your next conference or special event please contact us at: info@creativeuniverse.com.au // +61 (0)3 8679 6000 // www.taniadejong.com // @Taniadejong
