The Accidental Creative with Todd Henry: Recent Episodes

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This episode pulls back the curtain on how creativity gets stifled—both in our early lives and inside our organizations—and explores practical ways to reclaim it. We start with the extraordinary journey of Ruth Asawa, whose education as an artist began in the unlikely setting of an internment camp, not a prestigious institution. Her story dismantles the widespread myth that creativity is a resource problem and reframes creativity as a function of permission and ownership.

We then talk with Andrew Dietz about the lasting impact of early messages about creativity—how black-and-white thinking and the expectation of practicality can drive us away from our essential talents, and how to rethink risk, reward, and the definitions of success in creative careers.

The conversation then shifts with Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner, co-authors of The Octopus Organization, exploring why most organizations are structurally designed to kill innovation. Drawing inspiration from the octopus—an organism built around distributed intelligence—they offer a framework for building organizations that favor ownership, clarity, and relentless curiosity over permission and bureaucracy.

Whether you’re a leader seeking to unleash creative potential or an individual battling ingrained resistance, this episode offers sharp, practical insights for creating environments where innovation actually stands a chance.

Five Key Learnings1. Creativity Thrives on Ownership, Not Resources: It’s not budgets or prestige that foster creative breakthroughs, but rather spaces that privilege ownership and self-permission over institutional legitimacy. 2. Black-and-White Thinking Blocks Progress: Both individuals and organizations default to binary thinking for comfort, but true creativity—and competitive advantage—lives in the complex grey area. 3. Most Organizations are Wired to Squelch Innovation: Governance, permission layers, and centralized decision-making are relics of another era that actively impede adaptability and speed. 4. Metrics Should Teach, Not Just Track: Effective teams use measures to learn and adjust, not just to hit vanity goals or reward process over impact. 5. Safe Curiosity is the Soil for Innovation: Organizations that foster psychological safety and model vulnerability—from leadership down—consistently outperform those that only reward certainty and compliance.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we reflect on the story of mathematician Andrew Wiles, whose years-long journey to solve Fermat's Last Theorem becomes a metaphor for creative perseverance. We examine how our attention is constantly siphoned away in small increments—a phenomenon dubbed "human fracking"—leaving us with little space for deep, transformative thought. We challenge listeners to resist the lure of constant stimulation and instead carve out “the long moment”: uninterrupted stretches where true insight and creativity can take root. The conversation encourages embracing discomfort, boredom, and the slow, often frustrating process that underpins all meaningful creative work.

Five Key Learnings1. The Power of Extended Focus: Meaningful breakthroughs rarely occur in quick bursts; they emerge after prolonged periods of deep attention and discomfort. 2. Human Fracking and Attention: Our attention is eroded not by grand distractions, but by countless tiny interruptions that collectively damage our ability to think deeply. 3. Short vs. Long Moments: Quick, stimulating inputs feel productive but only sustained “long moments” create the conditions for valuable ideas to develop. 4. Boredom's Role in Creativity: Boredom isn't emptiness; it's the necessary soil for deep thought and originality. Allowing ourselves to be bored is often the catalyst for genuine insight. 5. Personal Responsibility for Creative Space: No one will protect your uninterrupted creative time for you. We must actively defend and cultivate the conditions required for our best work to surface.

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In 1852, a mid-level postal surveyor named Anthony Trollope gave Britain its iconic red pillar mailbox. He also wrote 47 novels, most of them before breakfast, 250 words every 15 minutes with a pocket watch on his desk. When he told the truth about his method in his autobiography, critics wrote him off for decades. People wanted genius to descend like weather. Trollope knew it was assembled, a small daily task at a time.

My guest today wrote his newest book exactly the same way: 100 words every morning before his family woke up, no misses, even on a cruise ship. Ryan Hawk is the host of The Learning Leader Show, one of the most listened-to business podcasts in the world with more than 650 conversations behind it. His new book, The Price of Becoming, starts with a question borrowed from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger: if compounding can turn boring, consistent deposits into extraordinary wealth, what happens when you apply the same math to your life?

In this conversation, we talk about:

• The nightly question Ryan borrowed from Charlie Munger: did I go to bed a little wiser than I woke up?
• Ryan's learning flywheel: fuel the intake engine, run experiments, pause and reflect, then teach
• Why teaching is the most overlooked accelerant of learning, and why Ryan requires every leader he works with to regularly lead a training
• Writing what's true versus writing what's merely accurate
• How Ryan wrote over 100,000 words starting with just 100 words a day, and why most of them were garbage (and why that's the point)
• Paul Rabil's 100 shots a day, no misses, and what it built beyond lacrosse
• Why "any excuse softens the character," and why endurance beats brilliance
• The free throw lesson my dad taught me: 121 in a row, and losing sight of the goal behind the goal
• Why leading yourself is the part of leadership that never ends

This week's challengeDefine your hundred. One small daily act tied directly to who you're trying to become, small enough that you can do it on your worst day. A hundred words, twenty minutes of study, a sketch, a cold call, one page. Write it down, then do it every day for the next 30 days. No misses. And before you go to sleep each night, ask yourself Ryan's question: did I go to bed a little wiser than I woke up?

Resources The Price of Becoming by Ryan Hawk, available now wherever books are sold * The Learning Leader Show with Ryan Hawk * The Accidental Creative* by Todd Henry * Get every interview in full, free, at DailyCreativePlus.com * Info on Todd's books and speaking at ToddHenry.com

Since 2005, Daily Creative has served up weekly tips to help you be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

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In this episode, we explore the creative paradox that sometimes the best work begins when we stop trying to produce our "best work." We revisit the story of Richard Feynman, who rediscovered his passion for physics by indulging in what seemed like trivial curiosity—with world-changing consequences.

We’re joined first by Ian Bogost, author of The Small Stuff, professor, writer, and game designer, who unpacks the idea of “gratification”—the sensory enchantment of everyday life—and why chasing only the "big stuff" means missing the moments that actually comprise our experience . We examine the relentless march toward efficiency and abstraction, the threat of dematerialization, and practical strategies for reclaiming a more embodied, present approach to work and life.

After the break, Jia Jiang, author of Easy Discipline, explains why enduring endless grind isn’t the recipe for lasting success—or personal satisfaction. Drawing on his own journey from ambition-driven burnout to a more sustainable, enjoyable approach, Jia Jiang reveals his E.A.S.Y. framework (Enjoyment, Artistry, Systems, Yourself) for building discipline that doesn’t feel like drudgery.

We unpack why presence—not just productivity—fuels creative brilliance, how seeking “orthogonal” experiences can reawaken genuine engagement, and why you’ll go further by learning to love the process rather than trying to force yourself through it.

Five Key Learnings1. Gratification Overrides Big Goals: The richest experiences come from moment-to-moment sensory engagement, not from deferred, infrequent milestones (Ian Bogost at 04:42). 2. Dematerialization Is Draining: Our digital conveniences come at a cost: They strip away physicality, leading to a disconnect from what’s most enjoyable in the work itself (Ian Bogost at 08:39). 3. Presence Is the Antidote: Simply allowing ourselves to fully experience sensory details—rather than obsessively planning or optimizing—can restore lost gratification (Ian Bogost at 11:02). 4. Enjoyment Enables Sustained Effort: Lasting discipline isn’t about brute force; it’s about making the journey itself rewarding so that you can do hard things for longer (Jia Jiang at 25:42). 5. Everyone’s Discipline Is Individual: Advice from others is often based on their optimization, not yours; embracing your own strengths, rhythms, and sources of enjoyment is critical to building sustainable creative practices (Jia Jiang at 36:16).

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Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we explore what really drives demand for creative products and services. Through the story of how OXO Good Grips was born—not from a brainstorm, but from noticing real pain in the kitchen—we examine why the most successful innovations aren’t invented; they’re observed in real-world frustration.

Our guest, Rob Snyder, introduces “the Pain Cave” and the concept of the “hell yes customer,” explaining why so many creative pros find their ideas fall flat—even when they seem objectively valuable. We dive into the core argument behind Snyder’s book, The Power of Pull: demand isn’t something you manufacture or persuade into existence, but something uncovered in what people are already trying (and failing) to accomplish.

We break down the Pull Framework—a practical toolset for identifying when a person is truly ready for what you offer—and show why focusing on a real, specific person’s stuck point can unlock breakthrough results. We also discuss how asking people what they want can lead you astray, and why the key is to observe unspoken friction and latent need. Whether you’re pitching clients, launching products, or simply aiming to be more effective in your work, this episode will reframe how you think about service, insight, and building things that truly matter.

Five Key Learnings1. Demand Precedes Product: Demand already exists as real human struggle; our job is to notice stuck points and create solutions that fit effortlessly into those needs, rather than convincing others to want what we’ve made. 2. The Pain Cave Is Universal: Nearly everyone who builds things spends time in the “Pain Cave”—that confusing, discouraging place where solutions that should work simply don’t gain traction. 3. The Pull Framework: Breakthrough demand requires all four Pull elements: a real project people are trying to accomplish, unavoidable urgency, a list of options considered, and the limitations that make all current options unsatisfactory. 4. Don’t Ask, Observe: People often can’t articulate their true needs or demand—even if you ask directly. Instead, pay attention to where they wince, sigh, or improvise a fix; that’s where real demand hides. 5. Service as Humility: Creative success comes less from imposing your will than from serving others at their moment of genuine friction. Solving meaningful problems with humility and curiosity earns both loyalty and business.

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In this episode, we explore the hidden dynamic that often derails creative professionals and leaders: the gap between what we say, what we actually want, and what we’re really building. We share the story of why some of the best music never makes it to radio, revealing how entire industries (and teams) quietly organize around mediocrity—chasing the safe middle, or as we call it, "the three." Drawing from lessons learned in Nashville’s music scene and patterns we've observed in organizations adopting new technologies like AI, we challenge listeners to confront and close this gap of dissonance. We discuss why staying in alignment isn’t just an integrity issue, but a practical necessity for stability, challenge, and real progress.

Five Key Learnings1. Dissonance Defined: The real friction in creative work often lies in the disconnect between what we say we’re about and what actually drives us or our organizations. 2. The Safe Middle Trap: Industries (and individuals) frequently default to “good enough” solutions, preferring broad acceptability over distinctiveness, which results in mediocrity rather than excellence. 3. Intention vs. Presentation: What we publicly claim as our ambition often differs from our true desires—and our actions inevitably reveal our real intent. 4. Leadership and Instability: When leaders operate from a place of dissonance, saying one thing but building toward another, they create instability and erode both trust and effectiveness on their teams. 5. The Courage to Align: Progress demands courage—the willingness to bring words, desires, and efforts into alignment, even when it means risking discomfort or friction.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the nuanced experience of failure and the creative courage required to start over. We open with a story about recognizing when to let go of failed dreams and the importance of closure—giving our abandoned ambitions the dignity of a “decent burial” rather than carrying emotional residue into our next ventures.

We’re joined by Steve Kamb, founder of Nerd Fitness and author of How to Try Again. The conversation focused on the modern misconception that achievement is only about relentless forward momentum. Instead, we dig into what happens after things don’t go as planned, and how to move forward with intention.

One concept discussed was identity and how the language of failure has shifted over centuries—from being seen as an event to being seen as a statement about who we are. We unpack the psychological weight behind this shift and how it can paralyze us from trying again.

Steve shared research-backed approaches and a pragmatic framework called PACT: Pause, Accept, Change, Try. Rather than reflexively doubling down or giving up, this approach urges us to create space, honestly examine our circumstances, investigate what went wrong with curiosity (not self-loathing), and experiment with new methods.

A key theme that emerged was the value of collective vulnerability and perspective—realizing our failures aren’t so unique, and that growth comes from standing on the shoulders of our setbacks, not being buried beneath them.

Five Key Learnings1. Closure is Undervalued: If we don’t fully mark the end of a failed project or dream, we risk dragging its emotional baggage into our next pursuit. Sometimes “burying the butterfly” is what frees us for genuine renewal. (02:29) 2. Failure and Identity are Not the Same: We too often internalize failure as a flaw in who we are, rather than seeing it as something that happened. Recognizing this distinction is critical for resilience. (09:08) 3. Healthy Pausing Beats Reflexive Action: Jumping immediately back in or attempting more brute-force effort often leads to burnout and stagnation. Pausing creates space for honest self-assessment and recalibration. (13:44) 4. Success Comes from Tactical Experimentation: Treating setbacks with the dispassion of a detective or scientist allows us to refine methods without self-judgment. Success stems from iterative learning, not from following a fixed blueprint. (15:27) 5. Vulnerability is a Shared Human Experience: By sharing failures—both trivial and profound—we open ourselves to community, lessen stigma, and build collective strength. Our failures become data, not shames to be hidden. (11:32)

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the tension between individuality and belonging, drawing inspiration from both jazz legend Miles Davis and the philosophical tradition extending back millennia. Our guest, Luke Burgis—author of The One and the Ninety-Nine—joins us to dig deep into why it's so hard to be part of a group without losing ourselves in the process.

We discuss the perils of both extreme individualism and unthinking collectivism, highlighting how modern work environments (and even family structures) tempt us to trade authenticity for acceptance. Luke introduces the distinction between the "solid self"—rooted and consistent—and the "pseudo self" that constantly morphs to fit the crowd. We wrestle with the overload of information, opinions, and exposure in our hyperconnected age, calling out how these factors pressure us to conform and silence the voice that makes us distinctly ourselves.

We also tackle practical disciplines for holding on to individuality, the power of true perception versus mere information, and the need for leaders to create environments where distinctive voices can thrive. If you’ve ever felt the quiet urge to blend in—or the anxiety of standing out—this conversation offers a roadmap for contribution without disappearance.

Five Key Learnings1. Real Unity Is Not Sameness: Great teams, like great jazz ensembles, are unified not because everyone sounds the same, but because each person brings their full, distinctive self to the room. 2. Solid Self vs. Pseudo Self: We risk exhaustion and detachment when we constantly negotiate or adjust our identities to fit group expectations, instead of rooting ourselves in deeper convictions and values. 3. Information Isn’t Relationship: The overwhelming flow of information in our lives can fool us into thinking we have real connections, when what we really need are authentic, lived relationships. 4. Protect Your Perception: Amid a culture obsessed with articulating opinions, it's critical to foster and trust our own perception and intuition—a distinctly human capability that no machine or collective can replicate. 5. Leaders Build the Room: If we are responsible for others, our job isn't to enforce uniformity, but to build spaces where authentic voices and creative risks are both valued and protected.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore what it really takes to do meaningful, protected creative work in an age of perpetual noise and overwhelm. We kick off with a story from Claude Shannon, the mathematician whose revolutionary thinking about “signal vs. noise” in communication provides the perfect lens for today’s creative challenges.

First, we sit down with Ron Friedman, author of Superteams, who shares the non-obvious strengths that set high-performing teams apart—from deliberately managing time, energy, and attention, to building genuine interdependence, to treating recovery and feedback as critical components of ongoing excellence. Ron details how meeting habits, role clarity, and shared goals can be redesigned to reduce friction and allow great work to emerge.

Next, Fred Marshall, author of Thrive, dives deep into Future Shock—the cognitive overload that leaders now face daily. He explains why structuring information flow, protecting focused attention, and designing your personal “ecosystem” are the new fundamentals of not just surviving but thriving. Fred outlines his Super 8 building blocks for a well-aligned life and offers practical frameworks for deciding where to direct our energy and attention, especially as AI transforms the landscape.

Throughout, we return to a single question: amidst all the noise, how do we identify and safeguard the signal—the contribution that only we can make?

Five Key Learnings1. Protecting the Signal Is Fundamental. Generating great ideas is only half the battle. The real challenge is intentional design—protecting the “signal” of valuable work from the ever-increasing “noise” of distractions, meetings, and obligations 02:35. 2. Superteams Actively Design Their Collaboration. High-performing teams excel by building shared goals that require collaboration, clarifying roles around outcomes (not tasks), and using team-based incentives that foster interdependence 08:04. 3. Meetings Should Never Be the Default. Superteams make meetings a last resort, use clear decision-making guidelines, and create focus time (not just “meeting-free” days) to allow meaningful work to happen within normal hours 11:10. 4. Strategic Recovery Outperforms Passive Downtime. True recovery doesn’t happen from just unplugging. Engaging in mastery experiences and activities that stretch you in new ways is essential to sustain ongoing performance and passion 16:28. 5. Attention Management Is a Leadership Imperative. Our attention ecosystem must be curated just as intentionally as our task lists. Using clear frameworks to distinguish priorities, obligations, and noise protects the space needed for deep, creative, and strategic work—even as AI and cognitive overload increase 26:50.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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Why does the title never feel like enough? Why do so many of us hit every goal we set and still go to bed feeling like we came up short? My guest this week has a name for it. Brooke Taylor calls it the success wound, the pain that comes from mistaking our productivity and achievement for our worth. We get into where it comes from, why creative people are especially prone to it, and what it actually looks like to stay ambitious without running yourself into the ground. If you have ever caught yourself answering "How are you?" with "busy" and felt a little proud of it, this one is for you.

In this conversation, we cover* What the success wound is, and why Brooke describes it as a cultural wounding rather than a personal failing * Why "you are not your work" is so hard to live out when your work carries your worldview and your voice * How the meaning of hard work flipped over time, from a marker of the working class to a badge of status * The three things Brooke found that nearly all "unfulfilled achievers" share * Her own story: managing eighty million dollars in ad revenue at Google by twenty-four, and what it cost her * The difference between manic ambition and aligned ambition, and why they can look identical from the outside * The "two power sources" behind all ambition, and how to tell which one is running your engine * Two questions you can ask yourself this week to spot when you have slipped into the wound

Approximate timestamps* 00:00 Welcome and why this phrase stopped me in my tracks * 01:00 Defining the success wound * 03:00 Creativity as a conversation, and how the industrial age rewired our sense of worth * 05:00 How Silicon Valley resets your definition of "enough" * 06:00 The three things unfulfilled achievers have in common * 08:00 Brooke's story: Google, recovery, and a hard reckoning * 09:00 What organizations get out of the success wound, and the high achiever ceiling * 11:00 Choice, gears, and the two settings that lead to burnout * 12:00 Manic ambition vs. aligned ambition * 13:00 The lamp metaphor: the success wound or the true self * 14:00 Writing a book at 5 a.m. while pregnant, and why that was aligned, not manic * 16:00 Two questions to catch yourself in the wound * 17:00 Where to find Brooke

A few lines worth sitting withBrooke describes the success wound as the pain that comes from tying our worth to what we produce and achieve, rather than to who we are.

On ambition, she offers a simple image: it runs on one of two power sources, the success wound or the true self. Same hard work, very different fuel.

And one telltale sign you are operating out of the wound, in her words, is that you keep repeating the same patterns and expecting them to feel different.

About Brooke TaylorBrooke Taylor is a transformational career coach, keynote speaker, and the leading authority on the success wound, a phenomenon she pioneered through more than a decade of research. She began her career in Silicon Valley and spent years as a marketing lead at Google, where she earned the Google Global Sales Award. Her work helps high achievers move from manic ambition to aligned ambition so they can do meaningful work as whole people, not depleted ones.

Find Brooke* Website: brooketaylorcoaching.com * Free book exercises: brooketaylorcoaching.com/book * Instagram: @BrookeTheTaylor

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To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked gap between creating meaningful work and actually releasing it into the world. Starting with the story of Vivian Maier—the prolific street photographer whose life’s work was discovered only after her death—we examine why so many of us hesitate to share our creations.

We’re joined by Tina Roth Eisenberg, founder of Creative Mornings, who discusses the power of community, commitment, and collective bravery. She introduces Release Day, a campaign challenging creatives everywhere to choose a deadline, finish neglected projects, and courageously share them with the world—no matter how imperfect.

In the second half, we speak with John Gordon, author of The Power of Positive Habits, to dissect how small, consistent daily practices shape who we become as creatives and leaders. John shares his philosophy on positive leadership, the unglamorous truth about habits, and how intentionally structuring our environment and thoughts can lower the friction to action.

We close by connecting these two perspectives—shipping our best work isn’t a grand gesture, but a daily discipline, and real change happens not by waiting for the perfect moment, but by deciding to act, together.

Five Key Learnings1. Unreleased work has zero surface area for discovery: You increase opportunities for your work—and yourself—when you ship, even when it feels unfinished or imperfect (12:08, 29:30). 2. Commitment beats option paralysis: The most fulfilled creative lives are built by long-haul loyalty to a community, a cause, or a craft, not by staying in the “hallway” of endless choices (07:09). 3. Release is a team sport: Community-driven events like Release Day lower the psychological barriers to sharing, making bravery and celebration contagious (09:08). 4. Big change is built from small habits: Tiny daily choices and routines—like preparing in advance, intentionally feeding your mind, or practicing gratitude—compound into transformative outcomes (22:44). 5. Intentional reflection is non-negotiable: Leaders (and creatives) who carve out time for stillness, purpose, and intentional thinking show up with more clarity, courage, and meaning in their work (26:46).

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful—but counterintuitive—practices for sustaining high-performance teams: making it safe to bring bad news forward, early and often. Drawing from manufacturing history and deep space exploration, we examine the critical link between team culture and breakthrough solutions.

First, we hear from Lindy Elkins-Tanton, planetary scientist at UC Berkeley and author of Mission Ready. Lindy shares the harrowing experience of a near-catastrophic flaw discovered just twelve days before a major NASA launch, and how a culture that treats the "bearer of bad news" as a hero turned potential disaster into the team’s finest hour.

Then, we’re joined by Gustavo Razzetti, consultant and author of Forward Talk. Gus decodes why most teams avoid necessary conversations—not out of fear, but from the subtle, corrosive pull of the "tyranny of harmony." He explains how suppressing dissent and silence in meetings creates what he calls "conversational debt," a cost that teams pay with compounded interest down the road.

Through these stories and frameworks, we discover how healthy conflict, clear values, and relational courage are the value drivers behind great creative and technical teams—not just old-school productivity.

Five Key Learnings1. "The Best News is Bad News Brought Early." Teams succeed when every member, regardless of title, feels empowered to surface issues before they escalate. 2. Welcoming Bad News is a Leadership Discipline. It's not enough to avoid punishing messengers; we must actively make it rewarding and safe to speak up, regardless of status or tenure. 3. Relational Trust Powers Team Performance. High-functioning teams invest in the "how" as well as the "what." Culture is built on individual relationships, not just big-picture outcomes. 4. Harmony Isn’t Always Healthy. Prioritizing artificial peace over honest debate can quietly undermine projects and morale. Silence is a choice—and rarely means agreement. 5. Leaders Facilitate, Not Just Fix. Moving beyond victim/hero/villain dynamics, great leaders facilitate forward-focused conversations, share context, and sustain agency across the team.

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Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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This week, we explore two forces that shape every creative journey: constraint and uncertainty. Drawing on the remarkable artistic reinventions of Hokusai, we look at how creative legends transitioned from running from the box to thriving within it—and how that same process plays out in creative work today.

Our first guest, David Epstein, author of Inside the Box, systematically dismantles the myth of the blank canvas and shows why true creative breakthroughs happen inside carefully constructed boundaries. He shares frameworks used by artistic innovators and practical strategies for leaders and teams to define the right limits—especially in an era of generative AI and limitless toolsets.

We then talk with Simone Stolzoff, whose book How Not to Know tackles the fog of uncertainty head-on. He makes the case that tolerating, and even harnessing, uncertainty is not a liability but the lifeblood of all meaningful creative work. Together, David and Simone reveal why “embracing the box” and “rowing in the fog” are not problems to solve, but the permanent address of anyone doing real creative work.

Five Key Learnings1. Intentional Constraints Fuel Creativity: Constraints are not the enemy; they’re the engine. Strategic limits—on format, palette, or process—block the most familiar solutions and force genuinely new connections. 2. Define the Boundaries Early: Projects that begin with rapid execution but no clear boundaries almost always bog down. Slow, deliberate thinking at the outset (setting priorities and constraints) leads to faster, more focused execution. 3. Constraint is not Suffocation—It’s Clarity: The most productive creative environments, whether in art, business, or writing, use narrow briefs and paired constraints to drive original outcomes. 4. Our Tolerance for Uncertainty Is Eroding: As answers become more instantly available, we lose the ability to sit with the unknown. Microdosing uncertainty—through small experiments and unfamiliar choices—helps rebuild that vital tolerance. 5. Progress is Acting in the Fog: The work that matters is rarely created in total freedom or certainty. Leaders who admit what they don’t know and take action anyway (with humility and open curiosity) model the mental flexibility required to innovate.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

What if you had a space every month to sharpen your leadership edge without the fluff? The Creative Leader Roundtable is where smart, driven, creative leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve real challenges, and grow together. So if you lead a team of thinkers, makers, or dreamers, this is your lab.We're launching soon with a new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, check it out and apply at CreativeLeader.net.

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In this episode, we examine what really drives our actions as leaders and creators, and why our best intentions often fail to deliver results. We open with the image of a child learning to walk—stumbling and falling, while well-meaning parents instinctively rush to protect. That same inner protection mechanism stays with us into adulthood, quietly shaping our creative work and leadership decisions.

First, we hear from Dr. Henry Cloud, author of Your Desired Future, who distills decades of executive coaching into five elements that must be present for any vision to materialize: vision, talent, strategy, plan, and accountability. Miss any one, and you’re not simply delayed—you’ve hit a ceiling. The challenge is not knowing the framework, but having the awareness and discipline to apply it, especially to the places where we’re weakest.

Then, Owen O' Kane, author of Addicted To Anxiety, unpacks how our anxiety isn't just random noise—it’s a legacy self-defense system that can sabotage us in moments that require creativity and clarity. He challenges us to stop fighting anxiety and instead learn to negotiate with it, ultimately turning anxiety from a saboteur into an overlooked strategic resource.

We end with a practical challenge: Identify a stuck place in your leadership or creative work, question the patterns running the show, and listen—rather than silence—whatever anxiety or protective instinct bubbles up. Awareness is always the first step to genuine change.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode1. The cost of overprotection: Well-intentioned interventions (like catching a falling baby) can hinder true growth; adults unconsciously repeat this pattern, avoiding short-term discomfort at the expense of long-term development. 2. The universal pattern of achievement: Every realized vision—no matter the scale—requires vision, talent, strategy, plan, and accountability. The absence of any is a hard ceiling, not a setback. 3. Effective accountability is partnership: Measurement and accountability should serve as lifelines, not punitive surveillance—helping teams and leaders course-correct rather than punish past performance. 4. Anxiety as a misunderstood resource: Anxiety is a protective mechanism, often set in place during formative years. Avoiding or fighting it can create internal conflict and limit creativity; acknowledging and working with it opens up new potential. 5. Self-awareness precedes change: Progress relies on the willingness to question whether our automatic patterns—driven by fear or outdated instincts—are truly serving our future vision. The most important transformations start with naming the patterns, not merely chasing better outcomes.

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Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

What if you had a space every month to sharpen your leadership edge without the fluff? The Creative Leader Roundtable is where smart, driven, creative leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve real challenges, and grow together. So if you lead a team of thinkers, makers, or dreamers, this is your lab.We're launching soon with a new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, check it out and apply at CreativeLeader.net.

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In this surprise revival of the Herding Tigers Podcast, we kick off a new direction with an exploration of what it means to "optimize" as leaders. We discuss the invisible drivers that cause organizational tension, challenging the idea that conflict always comes from personality clashes or miscommunication. Instead, we unpack the reality that everyone—ourselves included—is optimizing for something different, whether it’s stability, recognition, autonomy, craft, efficiency, or meaning.

We share real-world examples from recent events and provide a practical framework for understanding and talking about these optimization goals with our teams. The episode highlights why acknowledging these differences is essential for effective leadership, how to surface hidden motivations, and why conscious tension leads to better outcomes than underground misalignment.

Five Key Learnings1. Everyone on your team is optimizing for something—stability, recognition, autonomy, craft, efficiency, income, comfort, or meaning—and not always the same thing. 2. The unseen tension in organizations often stems from people “playing different games at the same table,” keeping score in different ways. 3. None of the motivations or optimization goals are wrong; diverse goals can create necessary, creative tension when acknowledged openly. 4. As leaders, it’s vital to name our own optimization drivers, get curious about those of others, and foster team conversations about what each person is optimizing for. 5. The goal isn’t to demand uniformity, but to make tensions conscious and productive—this balanced diversity ultimately improves the team’s performance.

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Listen to the Herding Tigers Podcast

Leading creative people is one of the hardest jobs in any organization. Bestselling author Todd Henry (Herding Tigers, The Accidental Creative, and others) brings you practical strategies for creative leadership — from managing creative teams and building a culture of innovation, to helping your people stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy. Each episode delivers actionable insights on workplace creativity, team productivity, and what it really takes to unleash the full potential of the talented people around you. If you lead creative pros, or are one, this is your show. Visit HerdingTigers.me to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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This week, we explore the invisible boundaries that shape our work, our relationships, and our own sense of what's possible. We open with the story of the four-minute mile: for nine years, no one could break it—until Roger Bannister did, and the floodgates opened. What changed? Not the runners’ bodies, but their sense of possibility. This episode is about those frames we rarely question—the ones that quietly dictate how high we reach and what doors we see as closed.

We’re joined by Tom Rath, bestselling author of What’s the Point?, who shares practical ways to bring purpose and curiosity into daily routines. He challenges the myth that purpose is something lofty or rare, arguing instead for small, conscious actions that compound over time. We also talk with Dr. Claude Steele, social psychologist and author of Churn, who uncovers the hidden cognitive cost of navigating difference—and the power of trust and curiosity in building genuine connection.

This episode is for leaders and ambitious people who want more than surface-level inspiration. We unpack the non-obvious, often-unspoken barriers to creative impact, and offer mindsets and tactics to do our best work in a world of uncertainty and change.

Five Key Learnings1. Possibility follows perception: The true barrier is rarely our capability; it’s the mental frames we accept as facts, often inherited from others or from outdated stories about what’s realistic. 2. Purpose is built, not found: Purpose isn’t a grand concept reserved for a chosen few—it’s a practical orientation, shaped by the daily question: “What’s the point?” and, more specifically, “Who do I help?” 3. Exposure gaps limit potential: Most of us only ever glimpse a fraction of what’s really possible in our careers or lives. Deliberately widening that aperture—seeking out new experiences and perspectives—creates new options. 4. Difference comes with cognitive overhead: Navigating diverse teams or situations requires extra energy—what Dr. Claude Steele calls “churn.” That bandwidth tax is real, but understanding it is the first step in reducing its effect. 5. Trust is the antidote to churn: Building trust—through curiosity rather than defensiveness—turns anxiety into opportunity. Leaning into difference, rather than simply managing it, can unlock creative and relational breakthroughs.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we step into the often-invisible world of cultural scripts—the unwritten rules that shape what we see, what we ignore, and even how we work and create. We begin with the unforgettable story of world-class violinist Joshua Bell playing incognito in a D.C. metro station, and explore why only children stopped to listen.

Our first guest, Oliver Sweet, head of ethnography at Ipsos and author of The Rules That Make Us, reveals how culture acts like an unseen operating system, shaping everything from our decision-making to organizational hierarchy and political divides. He guides us through the idea of the "cultural trinity"—identity, community, and belief system—as a tool for both diagnosing and transcending cultural divides.

Next, Piera Gelardi, co-founder of Refinery29 and author of The Playful Way, describes her journey from childlike creativity to stifling seriousness—and how reclaiming playfulness became essential to her creative leadership. We unpack the tension between “the serious suit” and the playful mind, exploring practical ways to reignite curiosity and courage in ourselves and our teams.

Whether you’re a leader looking to shift the patterns of your organization or a creative feeling trapped in invisible routines, this episode offers a non-obvious playbook for noticing (and re-writing) the unwritten rules—without slipping into cliché or oversimplification.

Five Key Learnings1. Invisible scripts govern not only our personal habits but also the way organizations function—most unconsciously inherited, rarely challenged. 2. Cultural evolution now favors what’s memorable and emotionally charged, rather than what’s logical or true, shifting how influence and persuasion work in a social media-driven world. 3. The "cultural trinity"—identity, community, and belief system—provides a framework for leaders to map and understand the real sources of alignment or division in teams and organizations. 4. Playfulness is a resource, not a reward. Reintegrating play into serious work—in the form of curiosity, experimentation, and permission to make mistakes—is a non-negotiable for creative breakthroughs. 5. Awareness precedes change: Only by noticing which rules we’re following—by choice or by inheritance—can we begin to reclaim openness, creative potential, and genuine leadership.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we examine why even the greatest minds—think Leonardo da Vinci—struggled to finish what they started, and why uncompleted work is less about laziness and more about well-disguised avoidance. We’re joined by John Acuff, bestselling author of Procrastination Proof, who offers a smart, actionable reframe for tackling procrastination head-on.

We explore the hidden complexity behind why we put things off, dissecting how procrastination isn’t a matter of willpower, but a short-term solution to discomfort, uncertainty, or fear. John challenges the idea that more discipline is the answer, and instead introduces a permission-based system to get meaningful work done. Together, we investigate how “night you” and “morning you” can work in tandem rather than at odds, and why the digital world may be the most formidable funder of our distraction.

If you want to stop deferring the big—and small—projects that matter, this episode gives you the reminder and strategy you need to make real progress.

Five Key Learnings1. Procrastination Is a Solution, Not a Root Problem: We typically procrastinate as a way to temporarily solve discomfort, fear, or uncertainty; solving for the root emotion is more effective than simply muscling through with discipline [00:02:22]. 2. Willpower Isn’t Enough: Tackling procrastination with willpower or discipline alone is like trying to fix a broken arm by brushing your teeth—it’s the wrong tool for the job. Permission, rather than willpower, is a better starting point [00:05:05]. 3. Make Tomorrow Easy Today: Aligning the “night you” (the planner) with the “morning you” (the doer) creates momentum and reduces self-sabotage. Set yourself up for success by treating your future self with generosity [00:08:20]. 4. Manage Your Attention Environmentally: Distraction is intentionally funded and engineered by tech giants to capture your attention on demand. Simple changes—like leaving your phone in another room at bedtime—reduce friction for focus when it matters [00:17:19], [00:19:19]. 5. Dream, Plan, Do, Review: The sequence for beating procrastination begins with permission to dream, plan, take action, and honestly review your progress. Most people skip review, but regular, data-driven reflection is critical for meaningful improvement [00:12:25], [00:14:05].

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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This week, we dive into the architecture of trust, brand, and why the most resilient organizations don’t rely on quick fixes. We revisit the case of Johnson & Johnson’s Tylenol crisis, looking beyond textbook crisis management to the underlying fabric of a company built on values that withstand disaster.

We’re joined by Marcus Buckingham, author of Design Love In, who reveals why “love” isn’t just a luxury in business, but the essential driver of extreme positive outcomes—far beyond mere employee engagement or customer satisfaction. Marcus challenges us to take love seriously, backing it with data, and offers a blueprint for designing it into day-to-day experiences.

We also talk with Lifang He, author of Brand Power Built In. Drawing on her experience at Apple, Amazon, and Ring, she argues compellingly that the strongest brands emerge not from a logo or a campaign, but from products meticulously embedded with care and meaning across every customer touchpoint.

Throughout both conversations, we interrogate the difference between what’s built in and what’s simply bolted on—and why every leader should care about which side of that divide they’re on.

Five Key Learnings1. “Love” is Predictive, Not Sentimental: When customers or team members say “I love this,” that reaction drives behaviors like loyalty, advocacy, and retention at exponentially higher rates than milder positive feelings. Don’t swap out the concept for weaker synonyms; measure and design for love directly 04:34. 2. Built-In Values Outlast Pressure: Johnson & Johnson’s integrity-driven response to crisis wasn’t improvised—it was the natural expression of decades-old foundational values placed above shareholder interest. Under stress, only built-in commitments hold 01:10. 3. You Can’t Fake or Neglect Real Connection: Love in organizations erodes not through sabotage, but through drift and neglect. Leaders must actively, persistently design and nurture love into everyday practices—or watch it quietly dissolve 08:24. 4. Brand Is the Product Journey: Especially in tech, brand isn’t just a veneer or story; it is the full, lived customer experience—every feature, interaction, and support moment. The most valuable brands are indistinguishable from the products themselves 26:18. 5. The Ordinary Tuesday Is Where It Happens: Crisis moments don’t define culture—daily operational choices do. The difference is made in routine touchpoints, not performative communications. Leaders should audit actual experiences for where moments of love and brand connection break down 33:37.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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This week, we explore the myth of sudden breakthroughs in creative and leadership journeys, digging instead into the reality: a meaningful life is built in the margins, not the spotlight. We first connect with Mason Currey, author of Making Art and Making a Living, who shares stories from the lives of celebrated creators—revealing that ideal conditions are a fantasy and resourcefulness is universal. Currey shows us how figures from Petrarch to William Carlos Williams navigated relentless financial and personal obstacles, crafting art in the cracks of busy lives.

Next, we speak with Eric Zimmer, host of The One You Feed podcast and author of How a Little Becomes a Lot, whose personal story exemplifies how transformation isn’t about a single moment, but rather the accumulation of thousands of small, deliberate choices. Zimmer challenges our culture’s obsession with epiphanies and quick fixes, highlighting the power of feeding the “right wolf”—those daily choices that align with our values and ambitions.

We investigate how leaders can implement subtle, consistent behaviors that compound into real impact, and why honest feedback, clarity, and persistent incremental actions create lasting change. It's a nuanced reminder: small maneuvers, not grand gestures, drive creative and leadership success.

Five Key Learnings1. Breakthroughs are Overrated: Lasting creative or personal progress depends less on dramatic moments than on the accumulation of small daily decisions. 2. Art Thrives in Constraints: Many renowned creators made their work in imperfect conditions, often juggling day jobs or hustling for resources—scarcity can fuel focus and innovation. 3. Identity and Work Are Entwined: It’s reductive to separate oneself too much from their creative work; acknowledging the link helps navigate inner criticism with nuance. 4. Naming the Inner Critic Creates Distance: Recognizing and naming internal narratives (even humorously) diminishes their power, enabling agency and resilience. 5. Subtle Leadership Yields Big Results: Consistent clarity, regular feedback, and willingness to have hard conversations are small leadership moves that compound into greater outcomes.

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Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Every creative team needs a leader who's brave, focused, and brilliant, but none of us get there alone. The Creative Leader Roundtable is your place to connect with peers, sharpen your leadership craft, and stay inspired for the long haul. We're about to launch with a brand new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, visit CreativeLeader.net to learn more and to apply. Great leadership is a practice, not an accident.

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There’s a silent war being waged on our creative lives, but it’s not the obvious enemies we expect. In this episode, we dive deep into the invisible threats constraining our creativity—both inside organizations and in the culture at large.

First, we speak with Cassie McDaniel, VP of Design at Medium, about the art of protecting creative space in a business world that increasingly values efficiency over deep thinking. She shares how real leadership involves building trust, creating the right constraints, and translating between the language of creativity and the demands of the organization. Cassie’s journey—nonlinear, multifaceted, and deeply intentional—reminds us that creativity thrives on diversity of experience and a strong sense of purpose.

Next, we’re joined by Peter Schmidt, Program Director at the Struthers School of Radical Attention and co-editor of Attensity. Peter introduces the provocative metaphor of "human fracking" to describe how our attention is being mined, fragmented, and monetized by the platforms we use daily. He argues that protecting our attention is no longer a personal discipline issue but a societal one, requiring collective action and a movement to reclaim the diverse, nuanced ways of being present in the world.

Together, these conversations meet at a critical crossroads: How do we defend and cultivate the inner conditions for creative work amid constant digital distraction and systemic forces designed to keep us fragmented?

Five Key Learnings from This Episode1. Constraints Foster Creativity: True creative freedom is built on transparent boundaries, supportive organizational structures, and clearly communicated expectations. 2. Invisible Efficiency Matters: The most valuable creative processes are often “invisibly efficient”—they look messy or inefficient from the outside but are essential to breakthrough results. 3. Leadership is Relational, Not Just Operational: Protecting creative space is less about enforcing rules and more about developing trust, negotiating for time, and translating needs between teams. 4. Our Attention Is Systematically Farmed: The battle for our attention is not simply about willpower; we’re up against trillion-dollar industries engineered to fragment and monetize our focus. 5. Artists and Dreamers Lead the Defense: The recovery of deep, diverse forms of attention—beyond the narrow “attention span” model—depends on the activism of artists, educators, and anyone daring enough to imagine a different future.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the often-overlooked link between our environment, memory, and creative potential. We kick off with the story of Cicero and ancient memory techniques, dive deep with 6-time USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis (author of Everyday Genius) on the method of loci (the "memory palace"), and unpack the science behind our Indoor Epidemic with Dr. John LaPuma. Together, we consider how modern life—filled with screens and boxed-in routines—could be diminishing our ability to think, create, and lead at our best.

Nelson shares how anyone can build a powerful memory through intentional practice, breaking the myth that memory champions are simply born, not made. Dr. LaPuma explains how our brains and bodies weren’t designed for today's screen-centered, indoor existence, and offers tactical ways to reclaim our creative clarity and restore focus—many of which involve getting out in nature. Throughout the episode, we connect these ideas back to leadership, reminding ourselves and listeners that great communication, creativity, and strategy start with meaning, not just data.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Memory is Trainable. Extraordinary recall isn’t just an inborn gift; with techniques like the memory palace, anyone can expand their capacity to remember and connect ideas.
2. The Brain Needs Meaning, Not Just Data. Raw facts aren’t sticky—stories, images, and emotional connections make information memorable and impactful in creative work and leadership.
3. Environment Is Everything. Burnout and creative stagnation aren’t character flaws; they’re often environmental. Our brains thrive on sensory-rich, varied surroundings—not fluorescent lights and screens.
4. Nature as a Creative Reset. Just 17 minutes a day spent intentionally in a green or blue space can boost creativity, clear mental fog, and improve overall well-being.
5. Small Shifts, Huge Gains. Simple steps—like morning light exposure, breaks to look at distant horizons, and screen-free evenings—can restore mental energy and unlock new creative potential.

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Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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In this episode, we explore what to do when the weight of uncertainty and overwhelm makes it hard to think, create, or move forward. We open with the legendary survival story of Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, drawing practical lessons about leadership, adaptability, and creative resilience. When everything spins out of control, it’s not about getting back to what we’ve lost—it’s about reframing the mission and determining the next right move.

We dig deep into how overwhelm isn’t just a productivity hiccup, but a genuine threat to creativity and motivation. Drawing on personal experiences and years working with creative leaders, we share three actionable moves for anyone feeling stuck, anxious, or creatively compressed. These aren’t quick fixes; they’re mental models and practices to help talented professionals regain clarity and get unstuck, even when the path ahead is anything but clear.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Redefine Success in the Moment: When circumstances change, don’t cling to old goals. Instead, ask, “What does winning look like now, with what I have?”
2. Shrink the Target: Limit your field of view. Focus on the one thing you can accomplish today that will make everything else easier or less necessary.
3. Name What’s Actually Wrong: Overwhelm is often a symptom of unrecognized fear or unresolved tension. Identify and write down the specific issue that's weighing on you.
4. Protect a Pocket of Presence: Carve out uninterrupted time—just 20 minutes—to be alone with your thoughts. This helps your mind recover, make connections, and surface what really matters.
5. Remember, Overwhelm Means You Care: Feeling overwhelmed isn’t failing; it’s a sign that you’re carrying meaningful responsibility. You don’t need to solve everything at once. Clarity and small wins create the momentum to move forward.

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This week, we kicked things off with a story that’s almost too good to be true—the Great Emu War of 1932—and used it to highlight what happens when we try to solve modern problems with old, top-down thinking. As organizations confront complexity and change, we’re not up against simple, centralized challenges anymore; we're facing adaptive, distributed ones.

We sat down with Emily Tedards and Jason Wild, co-authors of Genius at Scale. They challenged the myth of the lone genius and shared how true innovation emerges from activating the collective genius within and beyond organizational boundaries. Drawing from research and real-world experience, they revealed why democratizing creativity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a leadership imperative. We explored their ABC framework: Architect, Bridger, Catalyst, and discussed how leaders can become wayfinders in uncertain times.

Then, we brought in Susan Riley, founder of the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, to talk about her book Creativity’s Edge. She reframed human creativity as the unique capacity that AI can’t touch—because real creativity isn’t just about finding the right answer; it’s about seeing what doesn’t exist yet and bringing it to life. Susan shared her Four Branches of Creativity, the “three I’s” that set humans apart, and actionable strategies to foster creativity—especially as friction in the process becomes more important in an AI-driven world.

This episode is for leaders and creatives who know that having the “best idea” isn’t enough. Instead, the future belongs to those who can unleash genius in themselves and others, build resilient systems, and lead with adaptability and purpose.

Five Key Learnings:

1. The Lone Genius is a Myth: Innovation doesn’t depend on one visionary. It thrives in marketplaces of diverse perspectives and constructive conflict.
2. Leadership is Social Architecture: Effective leaders are architects, bridgers, and catalysts—cultivating culture, building partnerships, and activating large-scale innovation movements.
3. Conflict Fuels Innovation: Too little conflict, not too much, is often what impedes progress. Healthy, respectful disagreement leads to better solutions.
4. Wayfinding Over Pathfinding: In uncertain environments, leaders can’t always provide a clear path. Instead, they must clarify purpose and values, creating space for collective exploration and learning.
5. Creativity is Our Edge: AI can’t replicate the generative, integrative process of true creativity. Mastering integration, intention, and innovation allows us to express what only humans can.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

What if you had a space every month to sharpen your leadership edge without the fluff? The Creative Leader Roundtable is where smart, driven, creative leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve real challenges, and grow together. So if you lead a team of thinkers, makers, or dreamers, this is your lab.We're launching soon with a new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, check it out and apply at CreativeLeader.net.

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In this episode, we explore a new dimension of intelligence for navigating our rapidly-changing world. We start with the story of Hiroo Onoda, a soldier whose unwavering commitment to a mission long after its context had vanished becomes a powerful metaphor for how rigidity can keep us stuck. We dive deep into "AQ"—Agility Quotient—with Liz Tran, founder of AQ Learning Lab and author of AQ: A New Kind of Intelligence for a World That's Always Changing.

Liz breaks down why AQ matters now more than ever, as change, disappointment, and uncertainty become the hallmarks of modern life, exceeding the rates of just decades ago. We unpack the origins and limitations of IQ and EQ, and highlight how AQ is the urgent intelligence we all need to cultivate. Liz shares the four archetypes for handling change—Astronaut, Neurosurgeon, Novelist, and Firefighter—each representing different strengths and pitfalls. We discuss practical strategies for creative leaders to grow their AQ, especially those ahead of the curve who struggle to bring others with them.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to staying agile, relevant, and creative as the world evolves beneath our feet.

Key Learnings:

1. AQ – Agility Quotient: AQ is our capacity to handle change, disappointment, and uncertainty. It's the essential intelligence for today’s world, complementing IQ and EQ.
2. Rigidity vs. Agility: Sticking to obsolete missions or skillsets—like Hiroo Onoda—illustrates how lack of agility can prevent us from recalibrating when reality shifts. Agility is a mindset, not just a skill.
3. Four Change Archetypes: We all respond to change as either Astronauts, Neurosurgeons, Novelists, or Firefighters, each with unique strengths and blindspots. Awareness of your archetype can help you adapt more skillfully.
4. Durable vs. Technical Skills: Technical skills lose value quickly; it's our durable, transferrable skills—like communication, problem-solving, and reflection—that build true agility and staying power.
5. Bringing Others Along: Especially for creative “astronauts,” practical tools like “giving turn signals” in communication and learning to value the insights of other archetypes are essential for inspiring and leading change.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we explore the rarely recognized power of “seeing the here and now.” Using a memorable scene from Spielberg’s Lincoln as a launchpad, we dig into what it really means to rise to those unique, decisive moments that have the potential to alter the trajectory of our organizations, teams, and lives. While it’s easy (and comfortable) to stick to established plans and long-term strategies, the real challenge—and opportunity—lies in perceiving the pressing realities and fleeting openings right in front of us.

We break down why leaders often miss out: from the tendency to seek only confirming data, to deferring action until it's "more convenient," or sticking with yesterday's plan at the expense of today's opportunities. We discuss how recognizing and responding to converging tensions, personal convictions, and unexpected resources can set you apart as a brave leader who changes the game. Because, as we remind ourselves, the hardest thing isn't to plan, but to see what’s possible now—and act on it while the window is open.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Not all moments are equal. Some situations are true inflection points that demand we notice and act, not simply follow the plan.
2. Comfort can be a blindfold. We naturally avoid disconfirming evidence and delay hard choices, risking missed opportunities.
3. Look for signs. Tensions you’re wrestling with, persistent convictions of conscience, and aligning resources are often signals that something important is at stake.
4. Success can lead to failure. Achieving the wrong goals—because we’re ignoring reality—means we can “succeed our way into failure.”
5. Bravery is seeing and contending with reality. The leaders who change things aren’t always the ones with the best laid plans; they’re the ones who respond bravely to what’s real and present.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the real value of creative work—what we truly get paid for, beyond our time and output. We bring together two insightful thinkers, Rebecca Hinds and Jen Fisher, whose perspectives on meetings and hope transform how we structure our work days and support our teams.

We explore why most meetings sabotage productivity and how “visibility bias” tricks us into equating a full calendar with actual progress. Rebecca Hinds (author of Your Best Meeting Ever) challenges us to rethink meetings as products: expensive, important, yet often poorly optimized. She shares actionable strategies like "meeting doomsday" and the "rule of halves" to declutter calendars and refocus collaboration.

Shifting gears, we unpack the often-overlooked topic of hope in organizational culture. Jen Fisher (author of Hope Is The Strategy) reframes hope as a strategic, action-oriented process, not just a feel-good slogan. We discuss Gallup’s finding that hope ranks higher than trust as what people want most from leaders, and how misaligned incentives erode both hope and well-being, leading to disengagement and burnout.

Throughout, we challenge creative pros to rethink their real value—insight, intuition, and emotional logic—and encourage leaders to create environments where these qualities flourish.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Insight is Indispensable: Our unique perspectives, intuition, and courage—not just our time or output—are what make us valuable in creative roles.
2. Meetings Need a Reset: Meetings often serve as a status symbol rather than a tool for progress. Treating meetings as products and regularly auditing their purpose and effectiveness can dramatically improve collaboration.
3. Subtract to Add Value: Applying the “rule of halves”—cutting meeting length, attendees, agenda items, or frequency—forces us to focus on what’s truly essential and breaks the cycle of addition sickness.
4. Hope Is Strategic, Not Sentimental: Hope is a cognitive, actionable process that drives teams forward. Organizations must foster strategic hope to encourage risk-taking and innovation.
5. Alignment Drives Well-being: Stated values must match incentives and systems. Misalignment between what leaders say and reward creates dissonance, burnout, and disengagement.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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On this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the myth of the lone genius and make the case for why sustainable creative brilliance happens when we grow and nurture real relationships. We’re joined by Daniel Coyle, bestselling author and researcher, whose new book Flourish examines how true growth emerges not through competition, but through intentional connection and community.

We discuss why relationships sit at the heart of creativity, what it means to build a meaningful circle, and how to design environments where both individuals and groups can grow. Daniel shares practical insights on “making meaning” and “group flow,” illustrating how small acts—like telling stories or organizing joyful gatherings—can catalyze shared energy and transformation. We reflect on why the most profound creative work, and indeed the solutions to our most complex problems, are more likely to be found at the neighborhood level than through grand top-down initiatives.

This conversation isn’t just about feeling less alone; it’s a blueprint for intentional action in your creative life. We leave you with a challenge: take one step this week to strengthen your creative community, whether that’s reaching out to a peer, convening a group, or simply asking deeper questions.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Community Is Creative Infrastructure: Creativity doesn’t thrive in isolation. The most resilient, sustainable creative work is built on relationships that provide stability, challenge, and honest feedback.
2. Cultivate, Don’t Compete: Flourishing is about shared, meaningful growth—think gardens, not games. Real creative communities are spaces for nurturing, not just winning or accumulating.
3. Design for ‘Beautiful Messes’: Innovation and group flow emerge when we intentionally create environments where people can experiment, collaborate, and bring out new facets in each other—even if things get a little messy.
4. Deep Questions Build Trust: Asking ambiguous, personal “deep questions” unlocks vulnerability, connection, and trust far more quickly than waiting for trust to appear before opening up.
5. Power With, Not Power Over: Leaders unleash real growth when they support, ask great questions, and give power away—moving from controlling outcomes to facilitating collective brilliance.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

What if you had a space every month to sharpen your leadership edge without the fluff? The Creative Leader Roundtable is where smart, driven, creative leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve real challenges, and grow together. So if you lead a team of thinkers, makers, or dreamers, this is your lab.We're launching soon with a new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, check it out and apply at CreativeLeader.net.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence. Inspired by Ada Lovelace's early vision of creative machines, we explore how the boundaries between expertise and common sense have been reshaped by modern AI, from expert systems to today's generative models. We sit down with pioneers and practitioners—Vasant Dhar, a longtime AI researcher and author of Thinking With Machines; Christopher Mims, technology journalist and author of How To AI; and the creators of Tachi AI, Aden Bahadori and Brett Granstaff—to discover how AI is shifting not only what we make but how we make it.

We unpack the promise and the pitfalls of treating AI as a true thinking partner, not just a tool for automation. Our guests share practical strategies for using AI to augment creative work, streamline tedious tasks, and enhance idea generation—while emphasizing the necessity of human framing, expertise, and judgment. Whether you're a leader, designer, marketer, or filmmaker, we reveal why using AI thoughtfully is the real competitive edge in creative fields and business.

Five Key Learnings:

1. AI’s Compounding Edge: Utilizing AI consistently and benchmarking progress gives creatives and teams a multiplying advantage—not by replacing human originality, but by amplifying it through incremental improvements.
2. Framing Questions Matter: The ability to ask the right, nuanced questions remains fundamentally human, and is essential when using AI as a partner in ideation, research, and strategy.
3. Context and Expertise Are Critical: Experts benefit most from AI—leveraging their knowledge to dig deeper, validate outputs, and push beyond generic solutions, while ensuring originality in their work.
4. AI as Scaffolding, Not a Substitute: The greatest value of AI today is in reducing friction and clearing time for creativity—whether it’s summarizing information, managing knowledge, or prepping film edits—so humans can focus on what matters.
5. Human-Centric, Supportive AI: Tools like Tachi AI demonstrate that supporting creativity is more transformative than automating it; AI as infrastructure enables faster iteration and more creative decision-making, not just higher productivity.

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To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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Episode 92: Ownership

Daily Creative

In this episode, we dive into the nuanced meaning of ownership in creative work and leadership. As the landscape is rapidly transformed by AI and powerful new tools, we explore the temptation to offload not just labor but also the very thinking that gives our work its unique signature. We unpack what it means to retain genuine ownership of process, relationships, and output—moving beyond merely curating machine-generated results and instead staying empathetically engaged in the creative process.

Our guest, Greg Hawks, joins us to challenge the difference between “owners”, “renters”, and “vandals” in organizations. He brings fresh perspective on why many disengage, how environments subtly encourage or discourage ownership, and what teams and leaders can do to foster a climate where true creative engagement thrives.

Some of the themes we touch on include:

1. The fine balance between leveraging technology for efficiency and maintaining our emotional logic in creative decisions
2. Why struggle and friction are the crucibles of meaningful, resonant work
3. How organizations inadvertently suppress ownership—and how to change that dynamic
4. Concrete strategies for shifting from a renter to an owner mindset
5. The powerful impact of reducing toxic “vandal” behavior on overall team engagement

Five Key Learnings:

1. Offloading too much of the creative process—especially decision-making—can hollow out our unique voice and intuition.
2. Emotional logic, shaped by lived experience and intuition, is irreplaceable and differentiates meaningful work from mere output.
3. Vandals—self-centered, divisive team members—can demotivate large segments of an organization, and removing them often unlocks higher engagement.
4. True ownership requires us to understand the personal “returns” we seek (emotional, financial, relational, opportunity, growth) and articulate them courageously.
5. Struggle and friction aren’t just obstacles—they’re where creative insight emerges and individual judgment is strengthened.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the human urge to create—what fuels it, why it feels so essential, and how we can harness it more intelligently in our work. We are joined by psychologist George Newman (author of How Great Ideas Happen) and philosopher Rebecca Newberger Goldstein (author of The Mattering Instinct), who guide us through both the mechanics and meaning of creativity.

We explore why creativity is not just a talent or an act, but a fundamental human response that pushes back against chaos and entropy. George Newman unpacks the myths of the "lone genius," showing us that real creative breakthroughs emerge from collaboration, exploration, and persistent engagement—not isolation. He introduces smart frameworks for idea development, including gridding, transplanting, and overcoming the “originality ostrich effect” and the “creative cliff illusion.”

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein takes us a level deeper, exploring why our drive to create is intimately tied to our need for meaning and validation. She discusses the “mattering instinct”—the pursuit of significance—and explains why conflict, resistance, and friction in organizations are often expressions of this core human need. Together, these conversations reveal how creativity is both an existential response and a practical tool for leadership and team health.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Great ideas aren’t conjured in isolation. Creative breakthroughs come from ongoing engagement, trial and error, and exposure to new perspectives—not from waiting for inspiration alone.
2. Originality is often misunderstood. Striving to be radically original can backfire; the most resonant ideas have personal freshness but build on approachable, recognizable foundations.
3. Guiding questions and iterative refinement matter. Defining and regularly reframing your creative questions ensures you’re solving the right problems and making meaningful progress.
4. Discomfort signals opportunity, not failure. The “creative cliff illusion” means our best ideas may arrive late in the process, and discomfort is often a sign that transformation is near.
5. Creativity is deeply connected to our need to matter. According to Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, our drive to create stems from our longing for meaning and significance—making every act of creation a resistance to insignificance and entropy.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In today’s episode, we explore what it means to create work that lasts not just for the next trend cycle, but for generations. We dive deep into the interplay of intuition, identity, and intentionality that underpins creative longevity, and how these often-invisible forces guide great design, resilient businesses, and enduring cultural impact.

We sit down with two very different thinkers whose experiences mirror this theme. First, we hear from Robert Brunner, renowned industrial designer and founder of Ammunition Design Group, whose work includes designing Beats by Dre headphones and pioneering shifts at Apple. He shares stories of working with some of the world’s most creative—and opinionated—collaborators, and how intuition fused with empathy leads to breakthrough products.

Next, we talk with Neri Karra Sillaman, a scholar and author of Pioneers: Eight Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs. Her research unpacks why immigrant-founded companies tend to outlast their peers—not simply due to external market factors, but because of internal clarity, community orientation, and the reframing of adversity.

We broaden the lens from iconic objects to enduring enterprises, discovering through-lines that shape both remarkable products and resilient organizations.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Intuition is Earned, Not Mystical: We learn that intuition isn’t some innate gift—it’s the result of deep attention, lived experience, and empathy, brought to bear at critical moments of creation.
2. Identity Drives Longevity: Durable work starts internally, rooted in a clear understanding of who we are and what matters to us. This self-knowledge—tempered by adversity or migration—shapes everything from product design to business models.
3. Collaboration Requires Respect and Empathy: Great breakthroughs often emerge from teams with diverse perspectives. Navigating strong personalities and creative differences means honoring others’ ideas and creating environments where bold work can thrive.
4. Community and Shared Value Matter: We see how leaders build enterprises to last by weaving strong communities and ecosystems, deliberately involving employees and stakeholders, and focusing on shared value over short-term profit.
5. Resilience is Built Through Reframing Rejection: Successful creators and entrepreneurs don’t see setbacks as verdicts on their worth—instead, rejection is information and an invitation to try again, often with even more clarity and resolve.

Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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What happens when the chase is over and the dream is finally caught? In this episode, we sit down with Lionel Cartwright—whose career soared to the top of the country music charts—to explore the rarely discussed crossroads of success. After years of relentless pursuit, Lionel achieved all the milestones he’d imagined: record deals, number one hits, and recognition. Yet, in those quiet moments away from the spotlight, he was confronted with the unexpected question: Is this it?

We follow Lionel’s journey from cover band beginnings and publishing deals, to Nashville stardom and the unexpected tug to redesign his life. Along the way, we unpack the paradox of ambition, the need for alignment over applause, and the courage required to leave "success" behind for something more sustainable.

Together, we challenge leaders and creative pros to pause, reassess whether momentum is driving their choices, and listen for the subtle signs that realignment might be overdue.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Chasing the Dream Isn’t the Finish Line: Pursuing success provides meaning and adrenaline, but catching it brings new questions about fulfillment and sustainability.
2. Beware of Momentum’s Seduction: Success often leads to expectations and obligations that can detach us from what truly sustains us.
3. Alignment Beats Applause: True creative bravery lies in pursuing work that fits who we are, rather than playing roles imposed by past ambitions or industry pressures.
4. Listen to Your Inner Voice: Quiet whispers of misalignment are worth investigating, no matter how much time or energy you’ve invested in the chase.
5. Redirection Isn’t Failure: Leaving a high-profile path to redesign your work around life—rather than vice versa—is one of the bravest moves a creative professional can make.

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Listen to Todd's interview on Lionel's podcast Off The Charts: Spotify - Apple Podcasts

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This week, we celebrate a major milestone... 20 years of the podcast! The first episode of The Accidental Creative launched in December 2005. While this is episode 88 of the re-branded version, Daily Creative, this is something like episode 1,398 of the podcast.

We take a reflective journey back to where it all began, unpacking the origin story of the show and the creative work that continues to shape everything we do.

Todd shares the challenges of being a young creative director attempting to help a team thrive under relentless pressure, while also confronting his own ambitions and the ever-present risk of burnout. He digs into the early days of creative community-building (over coffee in Cincinnati), the revelation that healthy, productive creativity was possible, and the pivotal experiments that inspired him to share our ideas through the newly emerging medium of podcasting.

We revisit the genesis of “The Accidental Creative,” recounting the surprise of discovering a growing audience, and how the podcast became a launching pad—not just for a community, but for books, company invitations, and interviews with creativity legends.

Todd also breaks down crucial moments behind his most influential books, including how a single candid conversation with a publisher unlocked the process for Die Empty, and why Louder Than Words remains a favorite despite modest sales. Through it all, Todd highlights the non-obvious lessons that define a creative career: trusting the work, letting your audience find you, and embracing friction as an ally rather than an obstacle.

To the listeners, supporters, and creative pros who have joined us week after week—thank you. Here’s to the past 20 years, and the decades to come.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Success Is Layered, Not Linear: The “big deal”—whether it’s a book contract or viral moment—is only the true starting line. Real creative progress builds in stages and unexpected iterations.
2. Experimentation Unlocks Opportunity: Sharing what we were learning (even when unsure or new) was the secret to resonance and growth. Community comes from honest experimentation.
3. Outside Perspective Is Essential: Creative pros often get stuck in their own heads. Inviting editors, mentors, or collaborators can break patterns and unlock genuine progress.
4. Let the Work Find Its Audience: Not every project will land where we expect, and that’s okay. Sometimes our work will deeply impact people we never predicted—and that’s its own success.
5. Friction Fuels Growth: Instead of removing all obstacles, thoughtful creators learn to leverage friction—slow down, synthesize, and let intuition do its work.

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In December 2025, we celebrate something special—twenty years of this podcast, which first launched as Accidental Creative in December 2005. We reflect on how starting, even with imperfect beginnings, is an essential part of a creative journey. In this episode, we draw insights from the book Daily Creative, sharing a series of thought-provoking essays designed for creative professionals navigating the end of the year.

We explore themes from balance and priorities (Rubber and Glass Balls), beginner’s mindset (Just One Song), the power of working from what’s known (The Edge Pieces), and the importance of knowing what “actual work” is (When You’re Working). Each essay comes with a practical application question to help leaders and creative pros pause, reflect, and reset for the coming year.

If you’re looking for a ritual or rhythm to keep your creative juices flowing and your mindset sharp, this episode is packed with reminders and prompts to help you refocus and get ready for fresh challenges ahead.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Starting Imperfectly Is Essential: Early creative work will rarely be polished, but the act of beginning is what opens the door to growth and excellence.
2. Protect the Fragile Elements of Life: Not everything rebounds after a setback; relationships, health, friendships, and spirit deserve proactive care and attention.
3. Approach Work Like a Beginner: Tackling each project with fresh enthusiasm and curiosity ignites new insights, regardless of past experience.
4. Solve Problems Starting With What You Know: Like edge pieces in a puzzle, letting your certainties frame the unknowns brings clarity to complex creative challenges.
5. Distinguish Busyness from True Work: Knowing which activities actually create value helps redirect energy away from distraction and toward your core genius.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Every creative team needs a leader who's brave, focused, and brilliant, but none of us get there alone. The Creative Leader Roundtable is your place to connect with peers, sharpen your leadership craft, and stay inspired for the long haul. We're about to launch with a brand new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, visit CreativeLeader.net to learn more and to apply. Great leadership is a practice, not an accident.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, Todd Henry explores the subtle ways in which we avoid true commitment to our creative and professional ambitions. Todd discusses the concept of "escape hatches"—the backup plans, excuses, and rationalizations that prevent us from risking real vulnerability and discovering what we’re truly capable of. Drawing from personal stories and practical frameworks, we unpack three common escape hatches that undermine creative and leadership excellence: procrastination and last-minute work, dilution and divided attention, and backward rationalization of success.

Todd also digs into actionable strategies to help you spot these patterns in your work, close escape hatches, and move forward with greater intentionality. Whether you lead teams, dream of launching a business, or simply want your creative efforts to have more impact, this episode offers practical, non-obvious guidance for getting braver, more focused, and brilliant every day.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Escape hatches often feel like wisdom, but are usually just disguised fear. We tend to rationalize delay or avoid commitment under the guise of being "prudent," when in reality it is keeping us from meaningful progress.
2. Procrastination and last-minute work protect us from knowing what our best effort truly looks like. Setting step goals and using time blocking can counter the urge to push everything to the last minute and drive more consistent creative output.
3. Dilution and divided attention dilute impact. By focusing on your "Big Three" priorities and carving out protected space to pursue them, you ensure that your energy is devoted to what matters most—and can actually achieve excellence.
4. Backward rationalization undermines growth. Defining what success looks like in advance and creating external accountability removes the temptation to justify poor outcomes, fostering honest self-assessment and improvement.
5. Real creative progress requires closing escape hatches, even though they seem safe. The real safety comes from confidence in your ability to adapt, not from having endless backup plans.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

What if you had a space every month to sharpen your leadership edge without the fluff? The Creative Leader Roundtable is where smart, driven, creative leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve real challenges, and grow together. So if you lead a team of thinkers, makers, or dreamers, this is your lab.We're launching soon with a new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, check it out and apply at CreativeLeader.net.

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In this episode, we take a step back from our typical interview format to reflect on something many creative leaders are feeling right now: a subtle but persistent sense of drift amidst uncertainty. Drawing from recent conversations with leaders worldwide, Todd Henry digs into the changing dynamics of organizations, shifting marketplaces, and the unique challenges and numbness that come with these times.

Instead of providing easy answers, Todd shares five uncomfortable—but essential—questions designed to provoke deep reflection for anyone with influence, whether you lead a team, guide clients, or simply shape decisions in your organization. He explores how apparent success can mask underlying misalignment, the dangers of leading from within an echo chamber, the paralyzing fear of looking foolish, the temptation of ego-driven systems, and the fine line between creating stability and fostering complacency in teams.

This episode is an invitation to wrestle with the deeper work of leadership, sense-check our motives, and create environments where honest conversations and breakthrough ideas can flourish.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Success Can Be a Trap: Achieving goals and hitting metrics doesn’t always equate to true progress if we lose sight of our original purpose. We must vigilantly check what we’re really optimizing for.
2. Truth-Telling is Essential: Leadership naturally creates distance. If we don’t intentionally invite honest feedback (even if it stings), we risk operating in a false sense of alignment.
3. Risking Embarrassment Fosters Innovation: Many great ideas die because we’re afraid to look foolish. Innovation demands courage, and that courage is strengthened by sharing bold ideas in safe, trusted circles.
4. Ego vs. Mission: It’s easy to unconsciously build systems that feed our ego under the guise of excellence or mission. The real test: Would we do the work if nobody noticed?
5. Stability Isn’t Safety: Teams crave both challenge and stability, but protecting them too much can lead to complacency. The goal is to create security so that bold, meaningful risks—and growth—are possible.

Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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In this episode, we explore the unconventional story of Yvon Chouinard, the “dirtbag” climber who became the founder of Patagonia and ultimately gave away his billion-dollar company to protect its mission. In conversation with David Gelles—New York Times journalist and author of Dirtbag Billionaire—we dig into the paradoxes of success, the power of awareness, and the ongoing tension between principle and profit. We discuss how Chouinard’s love for the outdoors led him to create climbing gear out of necessity, and how his refusal to ignore the negative impact of his products shaped Patagonia’s legacy of environmental stewardship and values-driven leadership.

We reflect on how meaningful work often reveals itself not through grand visions, but through paying attention to the patterns and tensions within our everyday actions. The episode challenges leaders and creatives to reconsider what it means to act with integrity and to recognize the marks—both good and bad—we leave through our work. Chouinard’s story offers a blueprint for leading with conviction, making hard calls in service of a greater purpose, and understanding that values build momentum over time.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Calling is Revealed, Not Found: Purpose often unfolds through the work we’re already doing, showing itself in the problems we care about and the frustrations we can’t ignore.
2. Principle Over Profit: True leadership is measured not by stated values, but by the sacrifices made when those values clash with financial incentives—as shown when Patagonia prioritized environmental impact over sales.
3. Awareness Precedes Change: Staying attentive to the second- and third-order effects of our decisions is essential for creating lasting positive impact and avoiding unintended harm.
4. Success Requires Restraint: Responsible growth means not chasing expansion at all costs, but deliberately throttling progress to ensure alignment with core mission and sustainable practices.
5. Legacy is Built Through Consistent Integrity: Values-driven decisions compound over time, creating an enduring legacy that outlasts individual achievements or wealth.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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For decades, we've been told that high performance is about gathering the brightest stars—the so-called “super chickens”—onto one team and watching the magic happen. But what if this approach is exactly what’s holding us back? In this episode, we challenge the myth of the lone genius and superstar culture, inspired by the research of evolutionary biologist William Muir and our guest, Jon Levy, author of Team Intelligence.

We dig into why the true driver of organizational excellence isn’t the brilliance of any one leader or individual, but the collective effectiveness of the team. Jon shares surprising findings from research on team dynamics, showing that stellar individual credentials often don’t correlate with high-performing teams—and sometimes even torpedo them. Together, we explore what makes teams “intelligent,” the concept of bursty communication, and the underappreciated power of “glue players”—team members who multiply the effectiveness of everyone around them, often quietly and behind the scenes.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “We have the right people, so why aren’t we clicking?”, this conversation gives you an entirely new framework for team effectiveness. It’s not about outshining one another; it’s about amplifying each other.

Five Key Learnings:

1. The Super Chicken Fallacy: Prioritizing only high-performing individuals can lead to toxic rivalry and stifle collaboration, ultimately reducing the team’s overall output.
2. Fluid Leadership: Effective teams allow leadership to flow based on expertise, not title—leadership shifts to those best suited to solve the problem at hand.
3. Emotional Intelligence Matters Most: The best predictor for team effectiveness is the group’s collective emotional intelligence, not the average or highest IQ.
4. Glue Players Are Multipliers: Certain team members—rarely the stars—can significantly raise the performance of those around them by prioritizing team success, facilitating communication, and demonstrating forward-thinking.
5. Aligned Incentives Create Real Teamwork: Misaligned incentives that reward only individual performance sow competition; when incentives support team outcomes, collective intelligence and output flourish.

Get full interviews and bonus content for free! Just join the list at DailyCreativePlus.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

What if you had a space every month to sharpen your leadership edge without the fluff? The Creative Leader Roundtable is where smart, driven, creative leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve real challenges, and grow together. So if you lead a team of thinkers, makers, or dreamers, this is your lab.We're launching soon with a new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, check it out and apply at CreativeLeader.net.

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In this episode, we dive deep into what it truly means to sustain high performance—without losing ourselves along the way. We explore why the relentless pursuit of optimization can leave us exhausted, disconnected, and ultimately unsatisfied, even as our productivity dashboards look more impressive than ever.

We sit down with Dr. James Hewitt, a human performance scientist and author of Regenerative Performance, who challenges the contemporary obsession with “optimization.” Instead, he offers a fresh perspective: success is about rhythm, not balance. We discuss how alternating between periods of intense focus and intentional renewal is not just effective, but necessary.

Also joining us is Jim Murphy, author of Inner Excellence, whose coaching of elite athletes and leaders centers on training not just the mind, but the heart. Jim’s journey—including a literal desert retreat—led him to believe that excellence is grown from within, through the cultivation of peace, confidence, and love, especially under pressure.

Together, we examine why greatness isn’t something you manufacture through sheer effort. It’s something that arises when you let go, reconnect, and cultivate an inner life that is in sync with your values and goals.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Optimization Fatigue Is Real: Tracking and optimizing every aspect of life can actually diminish well-being and life satisfaction rather than increase it.
2. Rhythm Beats Balance: Sustained high performance depends on deliberate alternation between deep engagement and meaningful renewal, not on chasing a mythical state of balance.
3. Recovery Requires Intention: Proactive, scheduled breaks—including exposure to nature and engaging in supportive social interactions—are critical for true restoration and creativity.
4. Excellence Comes from the Heart: Training your heart—clarifying your life purpose, embracing vulnerability, and mastering the ego—is more impactful than simply mastering skills.
5. Self-Centeredness Is the Core Obstacle: Overcoming the default setting of self-focus opens the door to authentic creativity and connection, but it requires the courage to face discomfort and uncertainty.

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Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

What if you had a space every month to sharpen your leadership edge without the fluff? The Creative Leader Roundtable is where smart, driven, creative leaders gather to exchange ideas, solve real challenges, and grow together. So if you lead a team of thinkers, makers, or dreamers, this is your lab.We're launching soon with a new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, check it out and apply at CreativeLeader.net.

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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In this episode, we dive deep into the paradoxical space where creativity thrives: the intersection of safety and danger. Drawing inspiration from IDEO’s iconic reinvention of the shopping cart, we explore how play, risk, and psychological safety fuel real innovation. We’re joined by Ben Swire—author of “Safe Danger” and former IDEO design lead—and Cas Holman, designer and author of “Playful,” to rethink the role of play and trust in work, leadership, and life.

Ben shares why “safe danger” is the sweet spot creative teams need: an environment where people feel secure enough to step outside their comfort zones, challenge the norm, and speak candidly. We unpack why “comfort” is often mistaken for true safety—and why suppressing tension or chasing certainty kills innovation. Through real-world anecdotes, Ben reveals how play isn’t just childish fun; it’s a training ground for courage, trust, curiosity, and honest collaboration.

Cas invites us to rediscover the lost art of playful exploration in adulthood. She challenges the myth that creative people crave boundless freedom—showing instead how constraints and a bit of friction spark our best ideas. We discuss how reframing success and experimenting with “what if” moments in daily life cultivates the resilience and curiosity critical for growth. The real challenge? Overcoming our aversion to looking foolish, letting go of performative pressures, and making the unknown a place of opportunity rather than fear.

Five Key Learnings:

1. True safety isn’t comfort—it’s the courage to challenge, take risks, and show up authentically.
2. Play is not an escape from work; it’s the work. The most innovative teams use play as a safe way to experiment and lower the perceived risk of failure.
3. Constraints are generative, not restrictive. Boundaries and rules give creative minds something to push against, sparking deeper engagement and originality.
4. Psychological safety consistently drives team performance, innovation, and retention—not carrot-and-stick incentives or relentless productivity.
5. Embracing challenge, reframing success, and maintaining curiosity in the face of uncertainty build resilience, satisfaction, and lasting creative growth.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Every creative team needs a leader who's brave, focused, and brilliant, but none of us get there alone. The Creative Leader Roundtable is your place to connect with peers, sharpen your leadership craft, and stay inspired for the long haul. We're about to launch with a brand new group of leaders. So, if you're interested, visit CreativeLeader.net to learn more and to apply. Great leadership is a practice, not an accident.

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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Episode 80: Lucky By Design – Show Notes

Is luck really just random, or can we engineer it? In this episode, we explore how “luck” is often the result of preparation, pattern recognition, and a deep understanding of hidden systems that shape opportunity. Drawing from the unlikely success story of Gary Dahl’s Pet Rock and the groundbreaking research of Wharton economist Judd Kessler and his new book Lucky By Design, we dig into the ways luck is built, not found.

Judd Kessler introduces his framework of “hidden markets,” where things like tickets, jobs, and creative opportunities aren’t always allocated by price or obvious mechanisms. Instead, they’re shaped by invisible rules that govern access and advantage. We discuss the “three E’s”—efficiency, equity, and ease—as the building blocks of these markets, and examine real strategies to decode the signals and systems at play.

Along the way, we unpack how showing up prepared, making it easy for others to work with us, and understanding the actual rules of the game can help leaders and creative professionals tilt the odds in their favor. We also take on the coming wave of AI-driven speed and automation, and ask what it means for authentic signaling in a world where bots are getting faster and smarter.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Luck favors the prepared. What looks like serendipity is often the outgrowth of discipline, awareness, and the willingness to build a “door” for opportunity to knock on.
2. Hidden markets have hidden rules. Whether it’s a ticket lottery or landing a client, outcomes are shaped by underlying systems—not just price or “fairness.” Learn the rules, and you can play the game more strategically.
3. The three E’s—Efficiency, Equity, and Ease—are metrics for opportunity. Whether trying to get noticed, land a deal, or hire the right people, balancing these three helps you become the option others choose.
4. Reducing friction creates value. In creative and business relationships, being easy to work with and removing obstacles can be a more powerful signal than raw talent alone.
5. Signals matter more than ever in the age of AI. As automation makes it cheap and easy to fake enthusiasm or speed, genuine signals—like real relationships and proven follow-through—become even more vital.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Apply for Creative Leader Roundtable

Leading creative people is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. That's why I've started Creative Leader Roundtable, a private community where leaders like you connect monthly to get practical insights, honest feedback, and real encouragement. You'll leave every round table with fresh perspective and tactical ideas.You can apply right away. So if you lead a team of talented people, go check us out at CreativeLeader.net, because creative work deserves brave leadership.

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How do we keep our creative edge—and ourselves—intact while navigating constant demands, distractions, and emotional turbulence? In this episode, we explore two distinct yet overlapping paths to real impact and creative resilience.

We first sit down with Robert Glazer, best-selling author of The Compass Within, who demystifies the role of core values as more than just aspirational words—they’re non-negotiable principles that serve as a compass for decision making, relationships, and leadership. We discuss how to identify actionable, clarifying values, why supposed “values” like “family” often hide deeper principles, and how lack of alignment between values and life leads to burnout and stagnation. Glazer shares his “big three” most life-defining decisions and what happens when our work, partners, or communities are out of sync with who we really are.

Next, we’re joined by Josh Pais, veteran actor and creator of Committed Impulse, whose new book Lose Your Mind offers a radical take on performance and presence. Pais reveals how reframing so-called “negative” emotions like anxiety and nervousness—as simply energy—transforms dread into creative fuel. He walks us through practical access points to presence, explains why emotion labeling sabotages creativity, and shares tools for cultivating the embodied awareness needed to consistently put ourselves on the line, whether the audience is one person or a thousand.

Together, these conversations serve up a roadmap for navigating modern creative pressures with clarity, energy, and authenticity.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Core values aren’t beliefs—they’re actionable, non-negotiable principles that guide behavior and decisions across every area of life and work.
2. Naming surface-level values like “family” isn’t enough—clarity comes from articulating how those values show up as decisions and actions, both personally and professionally.
3. Burnout is often rooted not in workload, but in living incongruently with our core values, which drains energy and leads to fragmentation or eventual crisis.
4. Emotions like fear or nervousness are not “bad”—they’re simply sensations, or energy, that, when accepted and embodied, can be used as creative fuel rather than barriers.
5. Authenticity is grounded in presence and congruence: anchoring to core values provides direction, while welcoming our emotional experience gives us the fuel to show up bravely and perform at our best.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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How often do our teams, family members, or collaborators end up misunderstanding each other even when we think we’re being perfectly clear? In this episode, we dive into the high cost of miscommunication and what it takes to become a “super communicator” in a noisy, divided world. We’re joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg, whose new book “Supercommunicators” unlocks why our conversations so often miss the mark—and offers a toolkit for breaking through confusion and building true alignment.

Together, we explore how clarity, empathy, and attention are more crucial than ever, especially as our workplaces and lives move online. From hospital handoffs to debates with Uncle Gary, we unpack the vital art of matching the right kind of conversation, listening deeply, and decoding the signals that don’t show up in written words. If you’ve ever walked away from an exchange realizing you and your counterpart were simply talking past one another, this episode is for you.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Assumptions are the enemy of understanding. We can’t assume others interpret our words as we intend; confirming mutual understanding is essential—even in routine exchanges.
2. There are three types of conversations—practical, emotional, and social. Misalignment around which conversation is taking place is often the root cause of frustration and disconnect.
3. “Matching” the conversation builds trust. Super communicators detect what kind of conversation someone needs and mirror it—acknowledging emotion when present, before pivoting to solutions.
4. Deep questions invite deeper connection. Asking about values, motivations, or experiences (rather than just surface details) opens the door for more meaningful dialogue.
5. Non-linguistic cues are powerful—but different channels require different strategies. Tone, posture, and facial expressions matter, but in written or digital communication, politeness, clarity, and rereading from the receiver’s perspective become the superpowers.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we explore the exhilarating—and sometimes terrifying—landscape of disruption with innovation expert Scott Anthony, author of Epic Disruptions. Together, we examine the rapid shifts happening across every industry and what it takes not just to survive, but to lead through change with courage and creativity.

We discuss why disruption is as much about human behavior as it is about technology, and highlight the critical missteps leaders make when they listen only to their best customers. Scott shares stories from history, from the early days of the printing press to the dawn of the iPhone, revealing the hidden patterns of how real innovation emerges. We also dig into the “shadow” cast by epic disruptions—the unforeseen challenges, culture clashes, and the uncomfortable process of rewriting rules in real time.

Scott explains how disruption often begins on the margins, serving unlikely customers and overlooked markets, and why innovation is a “collectively individualistic” pursuit that requires both lone sparks and community effort. Finally, we discuss practical steps for leaders to keep their organizations alert to opportunity: experiencing “tomorrow, today,” fostering playful experimentation, and nurturing cultures that let the sparks of creativity catch fire.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Disruption is about behavior, not just technology: True innovation only matters if it changes how people act, not just what tools they use.
2. Listening to your best customers can blind you: When markets shift, incumbent leaders often miss game-changing opportunities by focusing too narrowly on current power users’ demands.
3. The “shadow” of disruption is real: Disruption isn’t universally good; it often generates resistance, unintended consequences, and a messy mid-transition period that leaders must thoughtfully navigate.
4. Innovations start at the edges: The next big thing rarely comes from the center of mainstream markets; instead, pay attention to niche users and unexpected applications.
5. Innovation is a team sport: Breakthrough ideas depend on collaboration across disciplines and generations, and thrive in environments that make experimentation fun, not fearful.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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Why does so much around us feel "vaguely familiar"? In this episode, we dive deep into the creative malaise of our overstimulated world—where endless scrolling, constant content, and a deluge of data make everything seem slightly derivative and uninspiring. We unpack the concept of “vague familiarity” and examine why our passion for novelty is constantly dulled by today’s information overload.

To help us cut through the noise, we’re joined by Andrew Robertson, chairman of BBDO and author of The Creative Shift. Andrew brings decades of frontline experience in fighting creative sameness at one of the world’s most successful advertising agencies. We explore the sometimes uneasy balance between operational excellence and breakthrough creativity, and how organizations can make space for real innovation without falling for surface-level quick fixes.

Along the way, we break down actionable principles for reigniting creative excitement, including finding inspiration at the "edges," practicing attentional minimalism, and prioritizing productive passion over passive consumption. Andrew shares compelling stories—including how Delta Airlines redefined the passenger experience by rethinking the real source of travel stress—and reveals what it really takes to recognize a great idea (even in risk-averse environments).

Five Key Learnings from this Episode:

1. Rediscover the Edges: Creativity flourishes at the intersections and boundaries of different disciplines and domains. Stepping outside your usual circles—whether it’s through new conversations or learning in unfamiliar fields—leads to fresh insights.
2. Practice Attentional Minimalism: With relentless digital noise, deliberate focus and margin are essential. Setting boundaries around your inputs and carving out undistracted time helps you notice what truly matters.
3. Pursue Productive Passion: Creative energy comes from making, not just consuming. Progress and intrinsic motivation fuel innovation more than passive amusement.
4. Define the Real Problem: The most effective solutions come from unwillingness to leap immediately to action. Every creative breakthrough begins by deeply diagnosing the real challenge, even if sitting with ambiguity feels uncomfortable.
5. Manage Risk—Don’t Chase Certainty: Seeking certainty kills originality. Instead, smart creative leaders evaluate the downside, manage risk, and are willing to act without guarantees—knowing that bold ideas don’t come with precedents.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we explore what it takes to sustain creative leadership—not just for the next launch, but through the marathon of a meaningful career. We sit down with serial entrepreneur and author Chris Ducker to dig deep into his philosophy from his new book, "The Long Haul Leader," where he shares battle-tested frameworks for combating burnout and resisting the relentless drive of hustle culture.

We reflect on how our culture glorifies quick wins and non-stop hustle at the expense of our health, relationships, and lasting impact. Chris opens up about his own struggle with severe burnout during the pandemic, describing the pivotal moment he realized he’d lost touch with what truly made him “him.” We discuss practical strategies that allowed him to recover, including building what he calls a Life Operating System (Life OS)—a set of rhythms and habits designed to make leadership and creative work sustainable for the long haul.

We also highlight the importance of focusing on the right “who” as leaders, and why serving the right people makes all the difference. Together, we offer a smart, honest take on how to build resilience, manage energy, and stay effectively creative without losing yourself to exhaustion.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Sustainability beats constant hustle: Hard work matters, but treating hustle as a perpetual lifestyle leads to burnout. Purposeful sprints are powerful only when surrounded by practices that let you recover and refocus.
2. Breaking points clarify priorities: Real change often follows a crisis—those moments of total exhaustion or loss of purpose—but transformation only happens when you intentionally respond, not just notice the warning signs.
3. Design your Life OS: Just like computers have operating systems, leaders need intentional frameworks for health, learning, energizing relationships, meaningful work, and hobbies—layering small “micro moves” for a compounding impact over time.
4. Serve your real audience: Lasting fulfillment and greater impact come from identifying and serving those you’re best equipped to help, not by trying to please everyone or chasing external validation.
5. Burnout is not just part of the job: Chronic fatigue, disengagement, and emptiness are signals that something fundamental needs to change. Effective creative leadership means spotting the signals early and course-correcting—not waiting for a blow-up.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive deep into the concept of doubt as a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and effective leadership. We explore a real-world story where doubt reshaped a project and led to a superior outcome, challenging our culture’s bias toward certainty and snap answers. Our guest, Dr. Bobby Parmar, author of Radical Doubt and professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, unpacks the neuroscience and psychology behind how we process uncertainty—and why embracing doubt can be a superpower for leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators navigating complexity.

Together, we examine why most of us conflate intelligence with having the “right” answer, how our brains use doubt to signal that there’s more to learn, and why organizations need to shift from rewarding certainty to cultivating a culture of inquiry. Dr. Parmar breaks down the brain’s “trio” of systems—pursue, protect, and pause/piece together—and shows how effective decision-making requires moving beyond tunnel vision and quick fixes.

We also discuss practical tools for reframing doubt, including leveraging four essential “lenses” (principles, consequences, character, and relationships) when making decisions. Through tangible examples and research insight, we reveal how the most creative and resilient outcomes often emerge when we pause, invite challenging perspectives, and courageously sit with uncertainty.

Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Doubt as a Doorway: Doubt isn’t a weakness to hide—it’s a signal that more learning and better answers are possible. When handled well, doubt expands possibilities instead of narrowing them.
2. The Brain’s Trio: Our brains switch between pursue (seeking reward), protect (avoiding risk), and pause/piece together (slowing down to learn) systems. Engaging the “pause” system is critical for creativity and wise choices.
3. Four Moral Lenses: Effective decision-making requires balancing principles, consequences, character, and relationships—especially in complex or ambiguous situations. Relying on just one lens can create blind spots.
4. Short-term vs. Long-term Thinking: Focusing only on immediate certainty often undermines long-term value and opportunity. Doubt helps us reframe decisions within a broader context, allowing for patience and creativity.
5. Culture of Inquiry: The best leaders foster environments where questioning assumptions is safe and expected. Encouraging dialogue around uncertainty leads to stronger teams and more innovative solutions.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this solo episode, we explore a profound question: Are we building our professional lives around fleeting moments, or are we becoming mountains—steady, enduring, and impactful over the long term? We reflect on the contrast between “moment makers” who chase applause and “mountain builders” who quietly cultivate trust, skill, and lasting influence through steady practices.

We examine the cultural obsession with moments of sudden attention and why anchoring our identity or work to them can lead to instability. The episode offers thought-provoking guidance on grounding our creative efforts in durable rhythms, valuing depth over visibility, and making decisions today that will matter years from now. We end with a reminder that while moments energize us, only the mountains we build truly stand the test of time.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Moments vs. Mountains: Moments of recognition are exhilarating but temporary; it’s the disciplined, unseen work that builds something lasting.
2. Build Practices, Not Just Projects: Ongoing habits and rhythms—done even when no one is watching—anchor our work and sustain creativity beyond any single project.
3. Value Depth Over Visibility: Focus on the substance and real-life impact of your work, rather than chasing surface-level attention or popularity.
4. Think in Decades, Not Days: Cultivate patience. Prioritize decisions and actions that will leave you proud decades from now, not just tomorrow.
5. Stay Grounded in Purpose: Root your passion in meaning and purpose, not applause, to remain steady through creative highs and lows.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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Why does time feel so slippery, especially for creative pros? In this episode, we explore the phenomenon of “time anxiety”—that restless sense that we’re running out of time or not spending our hours on what really matters. We’re joined by Chris Guillebeau, author of the book Time Anxiety, who brings a fresh lens to how we experience time, how our anxieties about it span past, present, and future—and why productivity hacks alone will never be enough.

We dig into the difference between optimizing and aligning our time, the dangers of chasing phantom deadlines, and why so much of our stress comes not from the clock itself but from unresolved tensions and borrowed definitions of success. Together, we share practical tactics to help you shift from a reactive, urgent default to a more intentional, aligned creative life.

If you’ve caught yourself sprinting but never arriving, or if you’ve ever felt that low-grade hum of anxiety about how you’re spending your days—this conversation is for you.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Time anxiety spans the past, present, and future. It’s not just about feeling overwhelmed day-to-day—it’s also about lingering regrets, future uncertainties, and the ever-present sense of the clock ticking down.
2. Optimization isn’t the solution—alignment is. You can’t “efficiency” your way out of anxiety. The real answer? Align your time with your values, priorities, and the impact you want to have.
3. Phantom deadlines and borrowed benchmarks create false pressure. Much of our anxiety comes from arbitrary timelines based on outliers or cultural expectations. True progress comes from setting your own standards and constraints.
4. Not everything urgent is important. Creative work demands space for what matters. Protecting time for meaningful—and even non-urgent—work is essential to breaking the cycle of anxiety.
5. Self-awareness is the starting point. Pay close attention to how you spend your time and how it makes you feel. Notice unresolved tensions, distinguish between energizing and draining activities, and let those insights guide your daily choices.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

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Episode E71 – Distancing

In this episode, we dive into one of creativity and leadership’s most overlooked superpowers: the ability to distance ourselves from our own immediate experience. We explore why our best work rarely happens by accident—it’s a result of disciplined, intentional decisions made from a broader perspective.

We sit down with former nuclear submarine commander and bestselling author L. David Marquet, whose latest book, Distancing, unpacks the science and practice of decision-making from outside the narrow lens of our “immersed self.” Together, we examine why it’s so difficult to see beyond our own biases, emotional investments, and routines, and what it looks like to make choices for the legacy we actually want.

Through practical stories—from creative team roadblocks to how Jeff Bezos made his leap away from Wall Street—we learn tactical ways to step outside ourselves and consider decisions from our future self’s vantage point. Marquet explains how to escape the trap of defending past choices and why adopting the perspective of someone else, somewhere else, or sometime else can unlock breakthrough clarity—especially under pressure.

Five key learnings from the episode:

1. Your Default Perspective Is Limiting: Our natural state is to experience life “locked behind our own eyeballs,” which distorts decision-making and binds us to short-term thinking.
2. Distancing Is a Learnable Skill: By shifting perspective—adopting the point of view of our future self, a replacement, or a distant observer—we can challenge the baggage of our past choices and see new possibilities.
3. Regret as a Catalyst: Imagining what your 80-year-old self will wish you had done can help you minimize regret and act courageously in the present, rather than succumbing to inertia or short-term relief.
4. Warning Signs You’re Too Immersed: Moments of feedback, unexpected events, or high pressure can signal you’re making decisions from a defensive and self-centered state—when you’re most likely to prioritize safety over boldness.
5. Simple Tactics Drive Distancing: Whether it’s journaling as your future self, asking what advice you’d give a friend, or physically changing your environment, even small shifts can provide the clarity to lead with intention rather than urgency.

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Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode, we explore the idea that “cover bands don’t change the world”—and what it really takes to move from remixing the familiar to truly original creative work. We discuss why so many creative professionals feel stuck in safe, derivative cycles, and how our obsession with mimicking proven formulas can prevent us from breaking new ground.

We’re joined by Phil White—co-author of The Creative’s Mind—who shares stories of extraordinary creatives who managed to defy their circumstances, resist conformity, and persist even when the odds (and voices around them) told them to play it safe. From artists raised in poverty to film directors who battled crippling self-doubt, these stories reveal not just the necessity of originality, but the deep personal and community roots that underwrite bold creativity.

Here’s what we unpack:

• Why originality demands courage, risk, and sacrifice—and why safe, familiar work rarely sparks real change.
• The role of community and supportive voices in nurturing authentic creativity, especially in the face of doubt or adversity.
• The Five Cs framework from The Creative’s Mind (courage, confidence, commitment, and more), describing the characteristics common to exceptional creators.
• The importance of embracing discomfort, defining your own voice, and protecting space for genuine innovation (rather than just churning out content or chasing approval).
• How small mindset shifts—like simple, personal mantras—can help us show up bravely for our work, even before we feel “ready.”

Five key learnings from this episode:

1. Originality is risky but necessary. Derivative work might get applause, but only original work has the chance to spark real change and shape culture.
2. Vulnerability is a creative superpower. The rough, unpolished edges in our work are often what make it resonate—perfection isn’t the goal, honesty is.
3. Community is fuel for bravery. Having someone who believes in you (even just one person) can make the difference between persisting or giving up.
4. Creative confidence is built, not innate. Even the most successful creators wrestle with self-doubt; confidence is a skill to be trained, often one small act at a time.
5. Commitment extends beyond the work itself. Doing the work is crucial, but sharing it, promoting it, and standing by it authentically are equally essential.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the hidden forces that can derail even the most talented and well-intentioned leaders: blind spots. We explore why self-awareness isn’t just about knowing our weaknesses, but also understanding how our biggest strengths—if left unchecked—can turn into liabilities.

We’re joined by Marty Dubin, executive coach, former CEO, clinical psychologist, and author of the new book Blindspotting. Marty shares his framework for uncovering blind spots across six key areas: motives, traits, emotion, intellect, behavior, and identity. Together, we discuss how habits and internal narratives can get stuck even as our roles evolve, and the vital importance of inviting honest feedback from those around us before it’s too late.

We cover:

• Why our “super strengths” can turn into career roadblocks
• The difference between our self-perception and reality
• Practical ways to spot and address blind spots as leaders
• How to evolve our identity alongside our changing responsibilities
• Creating a culture of feedback and vulnerability within teams

Five Key Learnings:

1. Blind spots often stem not from our weaknesses, but from our overused strengths—like confidence becoming arrogance, or high standards turning into micromanagement.
2. Marty Dubin’s six blind spot categories—motives, traits, emotion, intellect, behavior, and identity—offer a holistic way to self-reflect and adjust as our careers evolve.
3. Our identity can easily lag behind our roles, causing frustration, stagnation, or even unintentional sabotage if we don’t let go of outdated self-concepts.
4. Emotional reactions, especially those that surprise us, are powerful signals of possible blind spots tied to hidden motives or identity mismatches.
5. Building a culture where others can “speak truth” to us—inviting honest feedback before problems arise—is essential for growth and effective leadership.

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The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we dig into the origins and unexpected global impact of the “like button” with business thinker and strategist Martin Reeves, co-author of Like: The Button That Changed the World. Together, we uncover not just the technical and historical story behind one of the internet’s most recognizable icons, but also how something so small has fundamentally rewired our ideas about validation, success, identity, and creativity.

We explore the messy, iterative invention process behind the like button, dispelling the myth of the “lone genius” and highlighting the chain of small, serendipitous problem-solving moments that led to its creation. Through Martin’s research and stories—ranging from ancient Roman gestures to the algorithmic engines of the digital age—we examine how cultural symbols embed themselves in new technologies, how our need for validation can become a trap, and why creative leaders must be wary of chasing applause over substance.

Finally, we reflect on how the very tools we invent end up shaping us, for better or worse, and what that means for our own creative paths today, especially as technologies like AI quickly raise similar questions about identity, taste, and agency.

Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. External Validation vs. Inner Conviction: When we start creating primarily for immediate recognition and “likes,” we risk losing sight of our core values and true creative voice.
2. Messy Invention, Not Lone Genius: The like button didn’t come from a single visionary, but from a series of iterative solutions and small tactical problems—reminding us that progress often happens in unexpected, collaborative ways.
3. Cultural Resonance Matters: The thumbs-up icon succeeded because it was already deeply embedded in culture, making the digital transition intuitive and frictionless for users.
4. The Double-Edged Sword of Instant Feedback: While instant feedback can enhance connection and learning, it also reshapes our tastes, identities, and behavior—sometimes with serious unintended consequences for mental health, social norms, and democracy.
5. Let Curiosity Lead: The most transformative creative breakthroughs often come not from rigid objectives, but from following curiosity and allowing projects to evolve organically.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

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In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to be human in today’s workplace. We push back against the efficiency-obsessed culture and explore how bringing more humanity, joy, and intention into work leads to better results and more meaningful lives.

First, we’re joined by Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun! and consultant and expert in organizational transformation. Bree breaks down why work doesn’t have to be drudgery and makes a compelling case for infusing fun and playfulness into our daily grind—not in a frivolous way, but as the key to unlocking creativity and doing our best work. She shares actionable tips for reclaiming joy, such as “do nothing days” for creative recharge and learning to defend our most valuable asset: our attention and creative energy.

In the second half, we sit down with Emily Kasriel, journalist and author of Deep Listening. Emily reveals why truly listening is not just a soft skill but a transformative, radical act. She offers insights into overcoming distractions—both internal and external—and shows us how deep, empathetic listening can fuel connection, innovation, and motivation at work.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing up, or navigating your own next steps, this episode is packed with fresh perspectives and practical advice for bringing more humanity to your workday and life.

Five Key Learnings from this Episode:

1. Work isn’t just about output, it’s about experience. When we let go of the “grind” and invite fun and play, we create better work and a richer life.
2. Protecting creativity means defending our headspace. Scheduling time for exploration and resisting performative productivity unlocks genuine creative ideas.
3. Listening is a radical act. Deep, empathetic listening goes beyond hearing words; it’s about using the whole of us to understand the whole of another person.
4. Attention is our most valuable resource. Eliminating distractions—especially phones and to-do lists—allows us to be fully present and build stronger connections.
5. Curiosity builds bridges. Approaching others with genuine curiosity opens us to new ideas, breaks down barriers, and encourages respect—even when we disagree.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

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Summer's in full swing, our routines are upside down, and creative disciplines are as vital as ever. In this special episode, we share Todd Henry's live talk from Scottsdale, Arizona, exploring the heart of creative work and what it really takes to thrive as a “create on demand” professional. Todd unpacks why producing brilliant work isn’t as simple as following steps 1-2-3, and why most of the real magic happens in the messy space in between.

He also discusses the hidden forces that sabotage our creativity—dissonance, fear, and expectation escalation—and introduces the five elements of creative rhythm that can help us stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy. You’ll learn why true creative success is about intentional daily practices, not bursts of last-minute inspiration, and how building disciplines now will help you build a body of work you can be proud of.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Brilliance Requires Discipline: Great creative work doesn’t just “happen.” It comes from consistent, intentional practices that help us manage our focus, relationships, energy, stimuli, and hours.
2. Manage Dissonance, Fear, and Expectations: Unaddressed gaps between our “why” and “what,” fear of failure, and ever-escalating expectations are stealthy assassins to creative output—recognizing and addressing them is critical.
3. Creative Rhythm Is Key: Cultivating five elements—Focus, Relationships, Energy, Stimuli, and Hours (“FRESH”)—creates the foundation for sustainable, high-quality creative work.
4. Brilliance Emerges in Community: Collaboration, feedback, and support from others fuel our best ideas—creativity isn’t a solo pursuit.
5. Die Empty: Our goal shouldn’t just be doing more, but making sure we give our best effort. Leave nothing of value unshared, unattempted, or undiscovered—so we reach the finish line without regret.

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Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the heart of what it means to be a purposeful leader—both in our creative work and our lives. We explore how easy it is to drift away from our core motivations as we advance in our careers, and what it really takes to stay anchored to what matters most.

We’re joined by Klaus Kleinfeld, the only Fortune 500 CEO to have led two companies on different continents and author of Leading To Thrive, and Eric Liedtke, former brand president at Adidas and current brand leader at Under Armour and Unless Collective. Together, they share powerful stories about leadership, self-awareness, and navigating the internal and external games of success.

We explore themes like managing energy (not just time), the critical importance of integrating our personal and professional selves, and how true change starts from within. From a CEO who redefined performance to a creative leader who risked it all to align with his values, this episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone who wants to lead with soul and purpose.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Leadership Drift Is Subtle: Progress in your career can often feel like success, but without anchoring to your core values, you may end up far from the person or leader you intended to be.
2. Inner and Outer Games Matter: Success isn’t just about external achievements—the “outer game”—but also about understanding who you are, what you want, and managing your energy (“inner game”) to have sustainable impact.
3. Energy, Not Just Time, Is Key: True high performance comes from managing and recharging your energy, not just filling your calendar. Micro-habits and rest are not signs of weakness but essential for sustained creativity and leadership.
4. Integration, Not Balance: We’re not meant to keep work and life in separate silos. Thriving as leaders means integrating our professional ambitions with our deeper personal values.
5. Purpose Fuels Action: Checking in with yourself about your true motivations isn’t just self-care—it shapes your decisions, your team’s culture, and your overall impact, whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or launching a mission-driven startup.

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Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we sit down with Jesse Cole, the founder of the Savannah Bananas—a phenomenon that's redefining what it means to have fun at a baseball game. We share Jesse’s incredible journey from feeling uninspired in a “dream job” to igniting a revolution in sports entertainment. Bored with the traditional, slow-moving experience of baseball, Jesse asked the pivotal question: “How could we make this fun every time?”

We explore how Jesse leaned into bold ideas, ditched the predictable playbook, and replaced blandness with pure creative energy. Drawing inspiration from visionaries like Walt Disney and P.T. Barnum, Jesse made it his mission to build a show fans couldn’t stop talking about—complete with dancing staff, wild rules, and a sense of spectacle that makes every moment count. From the struggles of his early days as a young general manager, turning around a failing team with empty stadiums, to the sold-out, wildly viral success of the Savannah Bananas, Jesse reveals how continuous innovation and fan-first thinking can transform not only an experience, but an entire industry.

We go behind the scenes to unearth the Bananas’ creative process, from weekly idea pitching sessions inspired by Saturday Night Live to relentless experimentation and audience feedback. Jesse shares how his commitment to fun, learning from outside his industry, and obsession with new ideas keeps the Bananas experience fresh, exciting, and unforgettable night after night.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Create What You Love: The most remarkable creators, like Jesse, build experiences that they themselves would truly enjoy. If it doesn’t excite you, it’s unlikely to excite your fans.
2. Embrace the “What If” Question: Growth and innovation come from questioning industry assumptions and daring to envision something completely different, even if it sounds “too much” at first.
3. Learn Across Industries: Pull the best ideas from outside your field. Parallel thinking and adaptation of concepts (from Disney to the circus to WWE) helped make Banana Ball truly unique.
4. Prioritize Experience Over Promotion: People must experience your difference—not just hear about it. The Bananas invest in the fan experience, letting viral moments and word-of-mouth do the marketing.
5. Iterate Fast and Learn Relentlessly: The Bananas test new ideas every night, seek feedback, and adjust constantly to create moments audiences will remember and want to relive.

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

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In this episode, we dive into how complexity creeps into our systems—whether in software, organizations, or personal leadership. We start by looking at the evolution of Microsoft Word as a case study of feature creep and unintended consequences, asking why more options can end up stifling creativity.

We’re joined by Robert Siegel, Stanford lecturer and author of The Systems Leader, who unpacks why today is a uniquely chaotic time for leaders. He explores the cross-pressures leaders face—from balancing execution with innovation, to combining strength with empathy—and what it takes to thrive in turbulent environments.

Later, we revisit a powerful 2017 conversation with Seth Godin, bestselling author and entrepreneur. Seth reframes uncertainty as an inherent feature of modern systems, not a personal failure. He shares his perspective on adapting to continual change, why embracing smaller markets and iterative progress makes us more resilient, and how redefining success helps us stay in the game.

Whether you’re leading a team, navigating constant change, or just trying to keep your work meaningful, this episode will give you fresh strategies for thinking and acting systemically.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Complexity Creep Is Real: As with Microsoft Word, adding features to solve edge cases often leads to more user frustration and less creative freedom. Simplicity can be a competitive advantage.
2. Systems Leadership Is Essential: Leaders must operate with a systems mindset, recognizing the interconnectedness inside and outside their organizations rather than staying siloed.
3. Balancing Dualities: Success today means navigating cross-pressures, such as execution vs. innovation and strength vs. empathy—not just picking one.
4. Embrace Uncertainty: Uncertainty isn’t going away; learning to see it as a product of changing systems makes it less personal and more navigable.
5. Iterate and Focus Small: Applying your creative efforts to the smallest viable audience allows for better learning, less risk, and greater long-term impact.

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Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

The Brave Habit is available now

My new book will help you make bravery a habit in your life, your leadership, and your work. Discover how to develop the two qualities that lead to brave action: Optimistic Vision and Agency. Buy The Brave Habit wherever books are sold, or learn more at TheBraveHabit.com.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we dig into the concept of “lean learning”—the art of cutting through information overload to focus on what matters and take action that truly moves us forward. We kick off with an intriguing story about the Jefferson Memorial’s restoration, showing how asking the right questions unlocks smarter solutions.

Joining us is Pat Flynn, entrepreneur and author of Lean Learning, who shares insights from his journey from aspiring architect to online business leader and educator. Together, we explore how to shift from hoarding knowledge to taking deliberate, timely action, supported by real-life examples and practical frameworks.

We break down the difference between “just in case” and “just in time” learning, discuss voluntary force functions, and tackle the mental hurdles that keep creatives and leaders stuck in learning mode rather than doing. Pat offers inspiring personal stories—from online experiments to fishing escapades—that bring these principles to life.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Ask Better Questions: The right question asked repeatedly (like “why?”) can unravel complex issues and clear away unnecessary noise, leading to simple, effective solutions.
2. Just-In-Time Learning: Instead of stockpiling information “just in case,” focus on gathering knowledge as you need it to move to the next step—then act on it.
3. Implement Force Functions: Create self-imposed deadlines or accountability measures to compel action and learning by doing, not just by consuming.
4. Leverage Community and Mentors: Surrounding yourself with peers, mentors, and those who’ve gone before you accelerates learning and provides essential support and perspective.
5. Embrace Failure as a Guide: Strategic, fast failures are key to real growth; mistakes become vital feedback that push you toward mastery and wisdom.

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Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

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Ever fantasized about sending a scorched-earth resignation email or confronting that “complicated” colleague head-on? In this episode, we explore the messy realities and hidden costs of revenge in the workplace—and uncover healthier, more powerful strategies for navigating conflict and difficult people.

We kick off with a viral real-life resignation email—an employee’s “digital declaration of war”—and ask: Is revenge ever the right answer, or just a tempting fantasy? To help us dig deeper, we welcome leadership expert and executive coach Ryan Leak, who shares research and tactics from his new book How to Work with Complicated People. Ryan challenges us to recognize that “complicated” is in the eye of the beholder, and often, the growth opportunity in conflict lies with us.

Then, conflict resolution specialist James Kimmel takes us into the neuroscience of revenge. We learn just how a grudge can hijack our brain like a drug—triggering temporary pleasure but lasting destruction. James shares practical, evidence-based steps for breaking the cycle and explains why forgiveness isn’t just a virtue but a neurological “wonder drug” for our own well-being. His new book is called The Science of Revenge.

Whether you’re dreaming of a Jerry Maguire exit or just tired of that one messy team dynamic, this episode will help you turn revenge fantasies into opportunities for learning, integrity, and genuine professional growth.

Five Key Learnings:1. “Complicated” Is Subjective: What you find difficult in a colleague, someone else might find easy—meaning anyone (including ourselves) can be “complicated” to work with. 2. People Over Job Description: Job satisfaction is far more influenced by the people you work with than by the actual work you do. 3. Honest Conversation Heals: Growth and resolution often require stepping into vulnerable, authentic dialogue with colleagues—even if it’s uncomfortable. 4. Revenge Is Addictive—And Costly: Neuroscience shows that seeking revenge lights up our reward centers like an addiction, but leaves us feeling worse and traps us in a cycle of pain. 5. Forgiveness as Self-Healing: Quiet, internal forgiveness—without any big announcements—switches off our brain’s pain and reward loops, empowering us to make clearer, healthier decisions.

Mentioned in this episode:

To listen to the full interviews from today's episode, as well as receive bonus content and deep dive insights from the episode, visit DailyCreativePlus.com and join Daily Creative+.

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

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In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to choose creativity, rather than simply waiting for inspiration to strike. We open with the fascinating origin story of Photoshop—how a grad student’s simple problem-solving evolved, through deliberate choices and refinement, into a revolutionary creative tool. This story sets the stage for this episode’s exploration of how intentional actions, not just spontaneous bursts, drive meaningful creative outcomes.

We’re joined by Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, senior research scientist at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of the new book, The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action. Zorana shares insights from her 25 years of creativity research, focusing especially on the overlooked emotional aspects of creative work. We discuss why creativity is about continuous, intentional choices—both big and small—that help us make progress, manage our energy, and use our emotions as information.

Together, we unpack actionable strategies to deliberately foster creativity in high-pressure environments, the science behind emotional rhythms and productivity, and how tools like generative AI fit into the evolving landscape of creative work. Zorana also offers a unique perspective on matching your creative tasks to your emotional state and daily energy rhythms.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Intentional Creativity Over Inspiration: Waiting for flashes of inspiration is risky—real creative progress comes from deliberate, systematic practices and choices.
2. Emotions as Informational Tools: Emotions aren’t just happening to us—they’re signals we can decode and use to drive creative action and problem solving.
3. Creative Rhythm Is Personal: Everyone’s daily emotional and energy cycles are different. Understanding and aligning your creative tasks to these rhythms leads to better results.
4. Build Your Creative Infrastructure: Sustainable creativity requires supportive systems—idea capture, regular review, and collaborative feedback structures are essential.
5. AI Is a Tool, Not a Replacement: Generative AI can assist with certain creative tasks, but the essential human skill of “problem finding”—asking the right questions—remains at the heart of true creativity.

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NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we dive deep into why optimism is far more than just wishful thinking—it's a practical, essential quality for doing brave, creative work and leading others with clarity. We explore how maintaining optimistic vision, especially in uncertain times, can drive teams forward and inspire decisive action.

We also welcome special guest Peter Wilken, branding expert and author of Dim Sum Strategy and The Ten Commandments to Build a Strong Brand and Steer Your Ship By. Peter shares stories from his storied career at the forefront of global advertising and brand consulting, shedding light on the origins and importance of “brand DNA.” Together, we discuss the key components that make great brands resilient, relevant, and unique, and how nurturing breakthrough ideas means protecting them as they grow.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Optimism Demands Agency and Vision: Real optimism is about having perceived agency and a clear, forward-looking vision, not blind faith. Leaders must provide clarity (not certainty) and communicate how their team fits into the bigger picture.
2. The True Nature of Passion: Passion, at its root, means being willing to endure or suffer for a meaningful outcome. It’s about committing to a vision deeply enough to overcome discomfort or setbacks along the way.
3. Spotting and Nurturing Great Ideas: Breakthrough creative ideas often begin as small, vulnerable seedlings that need protection and nurturing. Organizations need the courage, craftsmanship, and willingness to let ideas grow—even if they’re polarizing at first.
4. Brand DNA Explained: Great brands have a unique “DNA”—a strategic, memorable template outlining their reason for being, core beliefs, promise, customer benefit, and culture. This blueprint ensures long-lasting differentiation and guides consistent brand experiences.
5. Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Brands erode when they try to please everyone, over-invest in superficial touchpoints, or jump to execution before strategy. Strong brands actively exclude those who don’t share their values and build on a foundation of unwavering beliefs.

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NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we dig deep into the experience of “stuckness” that every creative pro and leader faces when tackling hard problems. We challenge the typical advice of “just push through,” and instead reveal the true root causes behind creative block. Also, we explore why simply grinding it out doesn’t always work and how a more mindful approach can help us regain momentum.

We unpack three main reasons why we often get stuck: lack of definition, loss of motivation, and outdated systems. Through relatable examples and practical questions, we show how redefining the problem, reconnecting with our deeper why, and shaking up our routines can reignite progress.

Whether you’re leading a team, working solo, or just trying to unlock new ideas, this episode guides you to reflect, reset, and recharge your creative drive — so you can move forward with purpose.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Stuckness Is Normal: Getting stuck is an inevitable part of doing creative, challenging work — but it's not something we have to resign ourselves to.
2. Define the Real Problem: We must continuously clarify not just the project, but the actual problem we're solving. This involves empathy, keen focus, and honest reassessment.
3. Reconnect With Motivation: When we lose sight of why our work matters or get caught in “all what, no why,” motivation drops. Reconnecting tasks to a meaningful purpose is essential.
4. Audit Your Systems: Outdated processes or a constant chase after new systems can drain energy. Refresh your workflow, build supportive relationships, and question limiting assumptions.
5. Progress Over Perfection: Stuckness is often a choice. Diligent effort and a willingness to realign or rethink can break the cycle of stagnation and lead to better results.

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In today’s episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the crucial distinction between being a collector and a curator in the digital age. With endless streams of information bombarding us daily, it’s easy to fall into the trap of hoarding inspiration—saving articles, quotes, and ideas without ever transforming them into something meaningful. We explore how true creativity is about making the complicated simple and turning endless noise into valuable insight.

We walk through a practical, three-step framework to move from information overload to actionable insight: casting a wide net, curating what matters, and ruthlessly eliminating the rest. By asking ourselves key questions—what is this really, why does it matter to me, and what can I create with it—we can ensure that our collections fuel creativity and purposeful work instead of stifling it. Plus, we share tips for establishing regular curation sessions so these ideas don’t gather digital dust.

If you’re ready to stop drowning in information and start producing more focused, meaningful creative work, this episode is for you.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Collecting vs. Curating: Collecting is about amassing information; curating is about making sense of it, connecting ideas, and generating insight.
2. The Three Questions: Always ask, “What is this really?”, “Why does it matter to me?”, and “What can I create with this?” to turn stimulus into creative fuel.
3. Ruthless Elimination: Don’t be afraid to let go of anything that doesn’t serve a clear purpose or add value—quality trumps quantity.
4. Regular Curation is Essential: Scheduling time to review, connect, and synthesize ideas is the difference-maker for ongoing creative productivity.
5. Focus on Impact: It’s not about the size of your information repository, but what you do with it—what you create is what counts.

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In this episode, we dive into managing uncertainty with Todd Henry and special guest Melody Wilding. We share insights on thriving in uncertain times, including building chaos-proof rituals, asking transformative questions, and thinking countercyclically.

We also highlight Melody Wilding's expertise from her latest book Managing Up, which is about how to get what you want from those in charge. Melody shares how creative professionals can align with their managers and navigate workplace dynamics through strategic conversations.

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Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Build Chaos-Proof Rituals: Establish daily routines that provide stability, support creativity, and enhance mental clarity during chaotic times.
2. Ask Transformative Questions: Shift perspective by focusing on opportunity-seeking questions that can turn chaos into creative endeavors.
3. Think Countercyclically: In uncertain times, adopt a contrarian mindset by identifying overlooked opportunities that others may miss.
4. Practice the Art of Solitude: Embrace solitude to foster deep thinking and creative breakthroughs, making it a secret weapon in chaotic environments.
5. Master Managing Up: Develop the skill of managing up by leading strategic conversations, ensuring alignment with your leaders, and providing and receiving feedback effectively.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the concept of "Strategic Indifference," a powerful approach to leadership and creativity. We share insights on how Steve Jobs exemplified this concept when he returned to Apple in 1997 and made bold decisions that transformed the company. The episode explores the difference between prioritization and strategic indifference, highlighting the courage it takes to purposely ignore certain tasks, even when they appear important, to concentrate on what truly matters.

We discuss the art of not caring as a superpower, understanding the importance of timing, and how strategic indifference empowers teams to thrive. Additionally, we explain the paradox of priorities, emphasizing that sometimes, saying no to good things is necessary to achieve great things. The episode closes by asking listeners to identify their most important initiative and consider what they can let slide temporarily to focus on achieving long-term value.

Five key learnings from the episode:

1. Strategic indifference involves deliberately choosing to ignore certain tasks to concentrate on achieving critical objectives.
2. This approach requires courage and a clear vision, often involving letting go of seemingly essential opportunities.
3. Timing and context are crucial in applying strategic indifference effectively; choosing the right moment can yield significant results.
4. Empowering teams through strategic indifference enhances their independence and capability while enabling focused tactical execution.
5. Prioritizing one or two critical challenges can drive immediate progress and pave the way for long-term growth.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we discuss how to make yourself stand out in a competitive job market by reversing the traditional job search approach. We highlight the inspiring story of Nina Mufleh, who broke through the job market noise with her innovative product listing resume, showcasing the exact qualities employers seek: creativity, problem-solving, and calculated risk-taking.

Madeline Mann, our guest and author of the book Reverse the Search, shares insights on transitioning from being a job seeker to a job shopper, a mindset that attracts opportunities rather than chasing them. We explore the importance of focusing on connections during interviews, demonstrating authenticity, and shifting the narrative from telling your story to solving the company's challenges.

Key learnings from the episode:

1. Job shoppers focus on presenting their value, creating opportunities for companies to sell them a position.
2. Effective differentiation is key to catching an employer's attention in today's competitive job market.
3. Avoid autobiography syndrome by focusing on how you can solve the company's needs instead of just sharing your story.
4. Reduce perceived risk for employers by being transparent about your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Approach interviews as conversations, emphasizing connection over perfection.

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In this episode of Daily Creative we are joined by Jenny Wood, author of Wild Courage and former executive at Google. We delve into the concept of mediocrity and how many bright creatives can inadvertently settle for less due to fear and external pressures. Jenny shares her transformative subway moment that led her to embrace "wild courage" and how she has applied this principle to various aspects of her life and work. We discuss the importance of taking action despite fears, and Jenny introduces us to her unique approach to courage, highlighting traits such as being "healthily manipulative" to enhance influence and success.

Jenny also explains the idea of "woo with you," a technique to build relationships through empathy and valuing others, while staying rooted in ethical practices. We explore how courage isn't about eliminating fear, but progressing despite it, focusing on subtle yet determined actions that lead to significant change. Jenny emphasizes rejecting imposter syndrome and owning one's strengths proudly. Her book, Wild Courage, encourages readers to pursue their goals with deliberate, courageous steps that defy conventional expectations.

Key learnings from this episode:

1. Mediocrity often happens in small increments of settling, driven by fear disguised as wisdom.
2. Wild courage involves taking calculated risks and acting even when fear is present.
3. Influence can be cultivated through empathy and valuing others, embracing a mindset of healthy manipulation.
4. True courage isn't about bravado; it's small, consistent progress toward meaningful goals.
5. Embracing one's strengths and rejecting imposter syndrome is crucial for professional and personal growth.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the essential dynamics of trust within creative organizations and our personal relationship with money. We start with a discussion on how trust is foundational in the creative process, emphasizing the significance of a reciprocal relationship between team members and leadership. When trust erodes, it can lead to workplace inefficiencies and cause talented individuals to leave.

We then explore how our internal trust, particularly in the context of money, influences our professional lives. Our guest, Elizabeth Husserl, author of "The Power of Enough," joins us to unravel the complexities of valuing creative work in a financial market. She offers insights into how personal narratives around money can either empower or hinder our careers and stresses the importance of understanding and re-shaping our relationship with money to match our creative aspirations.

Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Trust in creative organizations must be a two-way street—team members need to trust leadership, and leadership needs to trust the team.
2. The natural cycles of creative intensity and recovery must be acknowledged to avoid overwhelming team members.
3. Personal relationships with money greatly affect how creative professionals value their work and handle financial matters.
4. Understanding one’s personal money story is crucial for improving financial decision-making and satisfaction in professional endeavors.
5. Separating personal value from monetary value can lead to a healthier, more strategic approach to creative work.

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Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we share insights from my recent (grueling, yet rewarding) speaking tour across the United States, where I delivered nine keynote presentations in just 14 days. My travel provided me with valuable lessons and inspiration, captured as quick sketches and observations in my notebook. Today, I'm pulling back the curtain to discuss two powerful moments from my recent travels that challenged my thinking and revealed profound insights about creativity and leadership.

The first moment comes from a Q&A session following a keynote about The Brave Habit. A client's story about teaching his daughter the importance of bravery and wise decision-making led to an insightful takeaway on agency and optimism. The story of a man repeatedly falling into a hole but eventually deciding to take a different street, inspired us to consider how often we fail to fill the holes in our lives and how an optimistic vision and a sense of agency can prevent repeated mistakes.

The second moment of discovery happened unexpectedly during an Uber ride in Houston. Despite exhaustion, a casual conversation with my driver unearthed his aspiration to write. This experience reminded me that meaningful contributions often occur in small, seemingly insignificant moments. Sometimes, our impact on others happens in private, when we choose to be present.

Key Learnings from the Episode:

• Documenting meaningful moments and insights during travels can fuel inspiration and creativity.
• Bravery often requires an optimistic vision and a sense of agency to embrace challenges and prevent repeated mistakes.
• Small, everyday interactions can lead to significant inspiration and encouragement for others.
• Consistency over perfection is vital in achieving creative goals, such as writing a book.
• Embracing little moments of engagement can enrich our body of work and contribute to the greater good.

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Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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Chances are, you're probably not taking enough shots.

In this episode, we explore the importance of starting more and letting go of the pressure to finish everything. We discuss how embracing parallel creation and being unafraid to repeat ourselves can lead to brilliant work. We also hear from Becky Blades, Austin Kleon, Andy J. Pizza, and Ozan Varol about the significance of taking action on our ideas without being paralyzed by the fear of public perception.

Key Insights:

1. Overthinking can hinder creativity, so it's important to move from imagination to action swiftly.

2. Embracing the process of starting multiple ideas can help identify the ones worth persevering for.

3. Pay attention to the ideas that won't leave you alone, as they may be the keepers.

4. Life is more of a jungle gym than a ladder; sometimes the road ahead only becomes clear as you take each step.

5. Taking action on the ideas that resonate with you is crucial, as the world often lights the path ahead only a few steps at a time.

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In this episode we delve into the concept of adopting a brave mindset in our daily lives, drawing inspiration from Todd Henry's book "The Brave Habit."

Throughout the episode, we discuss the significance of choosing which narratives to respond to in defining our identities. We emphasize that bravery is not synonymous with bravado; rather, bravery involves self-sacrificial actions that pursue visions outside of oneself. We further explore how acts of bravery can influence those around us, encouraging others to recognize and follow their path to courage.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Bravery vs. Bravado: Bravery is about self-sacrifice and pursuing visions beyond oneself, while bravado is often mere posturing.
2. Choosing Your Narrative: Our true names are not what we're given at birth, but the identities we choose by our responses to life's challenges.
3. Influencing Others: When we act bravely, we inspire and call out bravery in others, raising the collective standard.
4. Bravery in Discomfort: Embracing discomfort for the greater good is a key aspect of living bravely.
5. Individual Impact: While we may not change the world, we are called to transform the world around us by leading bravely.

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Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we delve into the powerful concept of incremental improvement, using the inspiring example of one writer's simple but effective writing routine. We're joined via a 2016 interview by Dan Harris, author of "10% Happier," as he shares his transformative journey from a skeptic of meditation to an advocate, following a live panic attack that stemmed from mounting stress and self-medication. Harris discusses how meditation provided him with mindfulness—an essential tool that enhances focus, reduces reactivity, and promotes calmness.

We explore how mindfulness practices can profoundly impact decision-making, creativity, and leadership. By being mindful, we can navigate life's challenges more wisely, transforming how we respond to stress at work and in personal relationships. Dan offers practical advice on starting a meditation practice, emphasizing the importance of consistency, even if it begins with just five to ten minutes daily.

Five key learnings from the episode:

1. The Power of Routine: Maya Angelou's disciplined daily writing practice demonstrates how small, consistent actions compound over time into substantial creative work.
2. Mindfulness Benefits: Meditation can lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and rewire the brain, leading to improved focus and calmness.
3. Mindfulness in Decision Making: Practicing mindfulness helps break unproductive thought patterns, enabling better decision-making and creativity in challenging situations.
4. Consistent Practice: Starting with just five to ten minutes of meditation daily can yield significant benefits; consistency is crucial to maintaining mindfulness.
5. Grace in Practice: The key to sustaining creative and personal practices is granting oneself grace and understanding that starting again is part of the process.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of Fred Cox, a former NFL kicker for the Minnesota Vikings, who transitioned from the football field to becoming the inventor of the Nerf football. His story showcases how innovation can emerge from unexpected places and how outsiders with fresh perspectives often lead to groundbreaking changes.

We are also joined by Kim Christfort, chief innovation leader and national managing director at the Deloitte Greenhouse Experience and co-author of The Breakthrough Manifesto. She discusses the concepts of overcoming resistance to change, distinguishing between critical thinking and cynicism, and fostering innovation by maintaining a beginner’s mindset. Kim enlightens us on dealing with internal and external skepticism, optimizing team dynamics to promote innovation, and leveraging the language of your organization to advocate for new ideas.

Key Learnings:

Outsider Innovation:

Fred Cox’s journey from NFL kicker to the inventor of the Nerf football exemplifies how fresh perspectives can lead to groundbreaking innovations.

Critical Thinking vs. Cynicism:

Critical thinking involves asking provocative questions and seeking truth, while cynicism is a toxic presence that shuts down new ideas.

Beginner’s Mindset:

Adopting a beginner’s mindset helps strip away preconceived notions and encourages openness to new possibilities, crucial for fostering innovation.

Dealing with Skepticism:

Logical explanations and creating structured environments for discussion can help mitigate the impact of skepticism and keep innovation efforts on track.

Leveraging Organizational Language:

Framing innovation opportunities in the language of the company (e.g., ROI, culture) can make them more convincing and increase the likelihood of buy-in.

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Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In today’s episode, we welcome Adam Galinsky, social psychologist, leadership expert, and author of the book "Inspire." Galinsky discusses the concept of the "leader amplification effect" and describes his visionary-exemplar-mentor (VEM) model of inspiring leadership. Through both Abouleish’s journey and Galinsky’s insights, we explore what makes leaders truly inspiring and how their influence can create lasting change within communities and organizations.

Key Learnings:

1. Holistic Vision: Ibrahim Abouleish's vision transcended mere agricultural development, focusing on creating an integrated community that combined sustainable farming, education, and cultural growth.
2. Leader Amplification Effect: Adam Galinsky's concept emphasizes that when leaders are under the spotlight, even their smallest actions or comments are amplified, thus affecting their followers more profoundly.
3. Visionary-Exemplar-Mentor (VEM) Model: Galinsky identifies three essential qualities of inspiring leaders: visionary thinking, exemplary action, and transformative mentorship. These traits universally define inspiring vs. infuriating leadership.
4. Practical Demonstration: Abouleish's hands-on approach, working alongside his team to demonstrate the possibility of transforming desert land, earned him credibility and motivated others to join his mission.
5. Empowering Others: Effective mentorship involves empowering, elevating, and empathizing with others. Leaders who share credit and foster a sense of responsibility and growth in their team members help build a thriving and motivated community.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In today's episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the subtle yet powerful dynamics that can undermine our creative potential. Imagine you're driving down a familiar road, and your car begins to pull to one side, requiring constant correction just to stay on track. This metaphor perfectly encapsulates how certain hidden forces can slowly erode our creative output and lead us astray from our best work. These stealthy saboteurs are what we call the "Assassins of Creativity".

We'll explore how these assassins—Dissonance, Fear, and Expectation Escalation—work quietly behind the scenes to hinder our productivity and innovation. Through a recent keynote from Todd Henry, we break down these assassins and provide actionable insights on how to counteract them. From aligning tactics with strategy and purpose, to taking calculated risks in the face of fear, and managing expectations to maintain creative white space, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on sustaining creative excellence.

Five Key Learnings from this Episode:

1. Dissonance - A gap between what we are doing and why we are doing it can create tension and zap our creative energy.
2. Fear - When the perceived consequences of failure outweigh the perceived benefits of success, it prevents us from taking necessary creative risks.
3. Expectation Escalation - Constantly increasing expectations can squeeze out the white space needed for creativity and innovation.
4. Unnecessary Complexity - Overcomplicating problems can introduce dissonance and hinder a creative team's progress.
5. Opacity Phenomenon - A lack of clear reasoning behind tasks can lead to dissonance and reduced engagement from creative professionals.

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Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we explore the nature of taking a stand.

Our guest, Dr. Sunita Sah (author of Defy), a professor at Cornell University and an organizational psychologist, joins us to delve deep into the concept of defiance. Dr. Sah proposes a new definition of defiance—acting in alignment with your true values when there is pressure to do otherwise. She reveals insights from her research that suggests most of us are conditioned from an early age to comply and how this conditioning affects our ability to act on our values.

We also discuss the five stages of defiance that individuals go through as they act according to their principles. Dr. Sah emphasizes the importance of explicitly knowing and writing down our values to ensure that our actions align with them.

Key Learnings:

1. Defiance Redefined: Defiance is not about rebellion but about acting in alignment with your true values, despite external pressures.
2. Conditioned Compliance: From a young age, we are conditioned to comply and this affects our ability to act in alignment with our values.
3. Insinuation Anxiety: We often hesitate to speak up or correct others because we fear insinuating that they are wrong or unethical.
4. Stages of Defiance: The five stages—tension, acknowledgment, escalation, threat of non-compliance, and act of defiance—help us understand the process of standing up to pressure.
5. Value Clarity: Knowing and explicitly writing down our values can help reduce stress and align our actions with our principles.

Get full interviews, daily episodes, and more at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode we explore the importance of remaining open to unexpected detours and serendipitous moments in our creative and personal lives.

Our guest, Bernadette Jiwa, a recognized authority on storytelling in business innovation and the author of the book Hunch, offers deep insights into how curiosity, empathy, and imagination are vital traits for spotting transformative opportunities. Jiwa explains the crucial difference between ideas and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of addressing real problems rather than merely generating ideas.

We explore the concept that sometimes our objectives and goals can act as blinders, preventing us from recognizing valuable peripheral discoveries. Jiwa shares practical strategies for developing better awareness and tapping into serendipity, fostering the kind of curiosity and attention that can lead to breakthrough innovations.

Throughout the episode, Jiwa provides examples of how successful entrepreneurs have turned seemingly mundane observations into impactful solutions, reinforcing the value of remaining curious and empathetic in our pursuits.

Key Learnings:

1. Unexpected Discoveries: Often, the most significant breakthroughs come from being open to accidents and unexpected findings, as demonstrated by Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin.
2. Curiosity, Empathy, Imagination: These three qualities are common traits among individuals who consistently generate great ideas and can be cultivated by anyone.
3. Opportunities vs. Ideas: True innovation addresses opportunities (problems begging for solutions) rather than just coming up with ideas.
4. The Limitation of Objectives: Strict adherence to goals can limit our ability to see valuable opportunities in our surroundings.
5. The Power of Noticing: Paying attention to the world around us, asking pertinent questions, and listening to our environment can lead to significant insights and innovations.

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In this episode, we explore the importance of the narratives we surround ourselves with, as highlighted by our guest, Gabriel Reilich, the head of content and innovation at Upworthy and author of the book Good People. Gabriel discusses the profound effects of uplifting stories and how they can reshape our perceptions and empower us to engage more positively with the world around us.

We discuss George Gerbner's "Mean World Syndrome" theory and its modern-day implications, emphasizing the need to consciously balance our media consumption. Positive stories are not just feel-good content; they can fundamentally alter our outlook, creativity, and leadership.

Join us as we uncover the power of good thinking and positive storytelling to inspire better leadership, creativity, and a kinder world.

Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. The Power of Humility and Generosity: Dale Schroeder's life teaches us that extraordinary impact comes from focused intention, modest living, and generous actions.
2. Media Influence on Perception: George Gerbner's theory of "Mean World Syndrome" highlights how media consumption can distort our view of reality and affect our creativity and leadership abilities.
3. Ripple Effect of Kindness: Positive actions and stories can create far-reaching impacts, benefiting many individuals beyond the initial act.
4. Mindful Media Consumption: Being intentional about the stories and media we consume can help maintain a more hopeful and accurate perspective of the world.
5. Everyday Interactions Matter: Seemingly small acts of kindness can have profound effects on others, offering solace and support during challenging times.

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Show Notes: Daily Creative - "So Emotional"

In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the profound impact of emotion in our creative processes. We begin with a captivating story about Walt Disney and how his emotional response to rundown amusement parks sparked the creation of Disneyland—revolutionizing family entertainment forever.

We sit down with Greg Hoffman, former Chief Marketing Officer of Nike and author of "Emotion by Design," to delve into the power of creativity and emotion in brand building. Greg shares insights from nearly three decades at Nike, emphasizing that the most successful brands are those that form deep emotional connections with their audiences. He highlights the essential balance between analytical precision and the ineffable qualities of art, urging brands to respect the craft of storytelling rather than just producing content for distribution.

We also dive into a memorable story featuring legendary basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), and how his advice to Nike’s marketing team parallels the creative journey—seeing what others don’t and transforming deep insights into iconic work. Greg discusses fostering a culture of risk-taking and empathy, which is vital in generating innovative and emotionally resonant work.

Five Key Learnings from This Episode:

1. Emotional Connection is Key: Emotional responses to everyday problems can lead to groundbreaking solutions and innovations.
2. Balancing Art and Science: Effective brand building requires a balance between analytical strategies and creative, human-centric storytelling.
3. Empathy as a Starting Point: Successful creativity often begins with empathy, unpacking layers beyond simple observations to deeply understand the audience's needs.
4. Encouraging Risk-Taking: Incentivizing risk-taking within your team can lead to more innovative and emotionally engaging outcomes.
5. Vision Advantage: Developing a unique vision allows creatives to see opportunities others might miss, turning potential failures into compelling successes.

Get full interviews and daily episodes in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we delve into the question of whether it's better to be first to market... or second. Safi Bahcall, author of "Loonshots," discusses the importance of nurturing big ideas and differentiates between product-type (P-type) and strategy-type (S-type) innovators. Through historical anecdotes and industry examples, we explore whether it's more advantageous to be first or second to market, and how to leverage your strengths for lasting success.

Five Key Learnings:

1. First vs. Second to Market:Being first isn't always an advantage. Sometimes being second allows you to learn from the first mover's experiences and refine your approach.
2. Importance of Storytelling:Transformers succeeded partly due to a compelling narrative and superior marketing, emphasizing the power of storytelling in connecting with audiences.
3. Innovative Blind Spots:P-type innovators can miss strategic market shifts, while S-type innovators might overlook technological advancements.
4. Ambidexterity in Innovation:Combining product innovation with strategic innovation can significantly enhance the sustainability and reach of your ideas.
5. Self-Awareness:Understanding your strengths and compensating for your weaknesses through complementary skills is crucial in navigating competitive markets.

Get full interviews, daily episodes, guides, Q&A segments, and more at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode we revisit Todd's powerful talk delivered at Schermerhorn Symphony Hall in Nashville, TN for the Story Conference. Todd discusses the importance of shunning comfort zones, overcoming fear, and identifying your productive passion to ensure we empty ourselves of our best work by the end of our lives.

He also delves into practical questions to help you discover your own productive passion and emphasizes the importance of fighting the right creative battles. With engaging anecdotes and suggestions, this episode is a call to action: define your principles, take bold steps, and strive to put your best work into the world, ensuring you live and ultimately, die empty.

Key Learnings:

1. Embrace Innovation Despite Resistance:New and dangerous ideas often face strong opposition, but persevering is key to bringing transformative work into the world.
2. Avoid the Comfort Trap:External validation can lead to complacency. Strive to continuously challenge yourself and push beyond your comfort zone.
3. Overcome Fear:Fear often disguises itself as wisdom, preventing action. Recognize and confront your fears to unlock new opportunities.
4. Identify Your Productive Passion:Discover what you're willing to suffer for—this dedicated pursuit helps navigate the forces of comfort and fear.
5. Live Purposefully to Die Empty:Ensure you don't take your best work to the grave. Live each day with intention, contributing your unique gifts to the world.

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In this episode, we reflect on the importance of vulnerability and kindness in fostering meaningful relationships, both personal and professional. Our guest, James Rhee, author of Red Helicopter, recounts an impactful kindergarten experience that taught him the value of goodwill and sharing. He likens the power of kindness to the magical world of "Harold in the Purple Crayon," emphasizing our ability to create goodwill through our actions.

We then delve into a conversation with Eric Barker, renowned for his book Plays well with Others. Eric reveals surprising insights about our relationships, especially how "frenemies" tend to cause more stress than outright enemies. He discusses ways to engage with difficult people empathetically, and he underscores the importance of vulnerability in building strong, supportive communities.

The episode wraps up with actionable advice from Todd’s latest book, The Brave Habit, focusing on how to cultivate brave teams through healthy conflict, protection of teammates, and the giving and receiving of feedback.

Key Learnings:1. Vulnerability is Crucial: Being open and honest, even when it's difficult, is key to forming genuine relationships. 2. Goodwill is Powerful: Small acts of kindness can create lasting positive impacts. 3. Manage Ambivalent Relationships: "Frenemies" can be more stressful than outright enemies, so it’s vital to manage those relationships carefully. 4. Engage in Healthy Conflict: Effective teams don't avoid conflict—they engage in it healthily and constructively. 5. Empathy and Community: Building communities requires patience, empathy, and a focus on face-to-face interactions rather than digital ones.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In today's episode, we dive deep into the intriguing world of perception and communication. It all begins with a story about how a seemingly simple movie night turned into a revelation about differing perspectives. We explore how our interpretations of the same events can vary widely, reflecting our own stories and lenses.

Joining us is Tamsen Webster, a message designer with 25 years of experience in marketing and messaging. She shares insights from her new book Say What They Can't Unhear, unveiling why some messages stick while others fail to resonate. Tamsen introduces us to the four primary categories of listeners: actives, ambivalence, indifference, and antagonists. Each category requires a unique approach when crafting messages for effective communication.

Tamsen explains the critical importance of understanding the deeper 'why' behind our messages to reach our audience's core beliefs and values. We discuss how influential stories and beliefs can shape perceptions, often leading us to believe in something despite contradicting evidence, as illustrated by the Theranos scandal.

We learn that to inspire change and build buy-in, we need to structure our messages around elements our audience already agrees with, support their deeper beliefs, and be patient as change happens in layers.

Key Learnings:

1. Our personal lenses and stories shape how we interpret and perceive messages.
2. There are four primary audience categories: actives, ambivalence, indifference, and antagonists.
3. Understanding the deeper 'why' behind your message is crucial for effective communication.
4. Our underlying stories and beliefs significantly influence our perceptions and can be manipulated.
5. Change happens in layers, requiring patience and alignment with deeper principles and values.

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In this episode, we explore the stories of two remarkable individuals who took bold steps to seize opportunities in their lives, despite facing incredible challenges.

First, we hear from Trey Sheneman, a marketing consultant and a father whose son, Bear, was born with a unique birth defect that severely impacted his hearing. Trey shares the heartwarming journey of how watching Wheel of Fortune became a therapeutic ritual for Bear and led Trey to audition for the game show. Against the odds, Trey's determination and strategic planning not only landed him a spot on the show but also resulted in a life-changing win for his family.

Next, we delve into the powerful narrative of Bo Cornelius, who faced a life-altering experience after a car accident that led to a prison sentence. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Bo found a way to inspire and lead from within prison walls. His journey of redemption and his efforts to create a leadership development group in prison culminated in a significant event that continues to impact many lives.

Key Learnings:

1. Seize Unexpected Opportunities: Recognize and act on unique situations that can change your life, even if the odds seem against you.
2. Preparation is Key: Thorough preparation and a strategic approach can significantly enhance your chances of success.
3. Take Agency Over Circumstances: Control what you can in any situation to create better outcomes for yourself and others.
4. Transform Adversity into Growth: Even in the darkest moments, there are opportunities for personal growth and leadership.
5. Be Present and Brave: Make the most of every opportunity with bravery and a well-thought-out plan, as these moments can define your life.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we are joined by renowned author and strategist Seth Godin, who shares invaluable insights into understanding and developing effective strategies.

We delve into the concept of elegant versus inelegant strategies, with Seth providing compelling examples of how simple, effective solutions can resolve complex problems. He also discusses the critical distinction between strategy and tactics, and highlights the dangers of ignoring systemic inertia while pushing for change.

Key Learnings:

1. Simplify Your Strategy: Focus efforts on simplicity and elegance rather than over-complicating strategic plans.
2. Identify Blind Spots: Surround yourself with trusted advisors who can help you recognize and overcome potential blind spots in your strategy.
3. Work With, Not Against, Systemic Inertia: Identify and align with existing systemic dynamics to facilitate change without wasting energy.
4. Separate Strategy from Tactics: Understand that strategy involves forward-thinking and positioning, while tactics are the specific actions taken to achieve strategic goals.
5. Leverage Existing Incentives: Align your desired outcomes with existing incentives within your organization or system to effectively drive change.

Listen to the full 30 minute interview at DailyCreative.app.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore a quote from Richard Rohr: "A mouse in a mansion does not need to take lessons in humility." This imagery of a mouse confidently navigating a grand space leads us into a profound discussion on humility, self-awareness, and authentic leadership.

We reflect on the importance of striking a balance between confidence and humility, highlighting how true confidence stems from self-awareness rather than ego. By understanding our own worth and limitations, we can operate from a place of genuine humility, fostering trust, respect, and creativity within our teams and personal lives.

Five Key Learnings:

1. True Confidence vs. Ego: Confidence acknowledges fallibility and values others, while ego insists on infallibility and self-importance.
2. Self-Awareness: Recognizing our worth and limitations helps us lead with humility and authenticity.
3. Mentorship: The perspectives of trusted mentors can provide valuable insights into our strengths and areas for growth.
4. Consistent Progress: Regularly setting and achieving attainable goals builds creative confidence, as noted by researcher Teresa Amabile.
5. Vulnerability: Sharing struggles and uncertainties with trusted individuals can enhance our confidence and reduce the fear of imperfection.

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In this thought-provoking episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the concept of safety, its potential illusions, and how it impacts creativity.

Chase Jarvis (author of Never Play It Safe) shares his personal journey from a budding second-grade entrepreneur, whose creative ventures were effectively shut down by a well-meaning teacher, to becoming a globally celebrated commercial photographer, director, author, and founder of CreativeLive. He underscores the notion that the best experiences in life are often on the other side of our comfort zones and how societal norms and expectations can steer us away from our true paths.

Throughout the episode, we also reflect on the wisdom of 20th-century mystic Thomas Merton on the dangers of imitation and the value of staying true to oneself, even when misunderstood. Jarvis provides insights into the importance of intuition, attention, and constraints as vital elements of creativity that are frequently undermined by societal pressures.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Illusions of Safety: Perceived safety in stable jobs or predictable careers can often be more dangerous as it puts others in control of our lives.

2. Nature of Risk: Avoiding risk does not eliminate problems; it only changes the type of challenges we face and may lead to worse situations.

3. Intuition and Creativity: Our intuition, attention, and constraints are powerful tools we have been conditioned to ignore, yet they are essential for creative success.

4. Risk as a Portfolio: Taking risks isn't about recklessness; it’s about calculated decisions and balancing various aspects of life to ensure growth and innovation.

5. Individual Risk Tolerance: Everyone has a different tolerance for risk, and what feels risky to one might feel safe to another. It's crucial to celebrate small wins and respect individual journeys.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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What if failure isn't just something to be tolerated and learned from, but actually something to be designed for?

In this episode, we delve into an unconventional approach to success through the lens of failure.

We are joined by Manu Kapur, a learning scientist and author of the book "Productive Failure." Manu believes that failure should not just be something we learn from when it happens, but something we should design for deliberately. This proactive stance on failure can accelerate learning and growth. He highlights the distinction between traditional views that stigmatize failure and a more constructive approach that celebrates effort and risk-taking.

Understanding our own knowledge boundaries through failure is a central theme discussed. Failed attempts reveal the limit of what we know and spotlight the gaps in our understanding. This awareness is crucial for deeper learning and personal growth.

To further illustrate the lessons from failure, Todd shares a personal story about taking up running post-injury. His journey from struggling to run a mile to becoming an avid runner underscores how small, incremental progress—even in the face of failure—leads to significant achievement.

Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Redefining Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can lead to greater resilience and success.

2. Designing for Failure: Proactively integrating failure into learning processes can accelerate growth and understanding.

3. Intrinsic Curiosity: Embracing uncertainty and the desire to figure things out is a natural human trait that fosters innovation and learning.

4. Awareness of Limits: Recognizing the boundaries of our knowledge through failure is essential for deep learning.

5. Progress Over Perfection: Celebrating small, daily wins and incremental progress, even through failures, fuels long-term success.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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In this episode, we explore the significance of understanding your audience. Mike DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender, emphasizes the importance of creating content that respects and enlightens the audience, rather than just entertaining them.

We delve into Mike’s career journey from his art school days to his innovative work in animation and his venture into novel writing. DiMartino shares the creative process behind his novel Both Here and Gone, offering profound insights on grief and loss through a young protagonist's story.

We also touch upon the necessity of having creative guardrails to channel artistic efforts effectively, rather than absolute freedom, and discuss the impact of evoking genuine emotions rather than provoking reactions in the audience.

Key Learnings:

1. Audience Focus: Keeping a specific, real-life audience in mind, like Stephen King did with Tabitha, can ground and humanize creative work.

2. Respecting the Audience: Creating content that respects the intelligence and emotional depth of the audience leads to more impactful and memorable art.

3. Creative Guardrails: Constraints and clear direction can enhance creativity by providing focus and a framework within which to innovate.

4. Evoking vs Provoking: Authentic creative expression aims to evoke deep, lasting emotions rather than provokes temporary reactions.

5. Continual Learning: Even seasoned creators like Mike DiMartino continue to study and refine their craft, demonstrating the importance of lifelong learning.

Get full interviews and daily episodes in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In today's episode of Daily Creative, our guest, Ted Raad, co-founder of Trend Companies, shares his unique journey into the world of social media influence. Originally a bystander in his wife's budding influencer career, Ted was thrust into the business when they realized the power of staying authentic. Together, they built a company centered on maintaining integrity and growing trust with their audience.

We discuss the difference between true influence and mere attention-seeking, emphasizing that genuine influence stems from providing authentic value and advice. Ted also shares insights on how creative professionals can foster influence by being authentic to themselves and their audience.

Key Learnings:

1. Influence can be about calling the best out of others, not just strategy or big plans.

2. Authenticity is crucial in maintaining and growing trust with your audience.

3. True influence is about guiding others towards what they already want but don't know how to find.

4. Being persistent and embracing potential ridicule can lead to long-term success.

5. Leadership that leaves a lasting impact focuses on developing and empowering people, creating echoes rather than monuments.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In today's episode, we dive into the motivations of creative pros. Through an engaging discussion with our guest Molly Fletcher, author of Dynamic Drive, we explore the deeper motivations that sustain long-term success in any field. Molly, a former sports agent, provides insights from her own experiences with high achievers, highlighting how true fulfillment stems from a purpose-driven life.

Key Learnings:

1. Even the most successful journeys begin with vulnerability and uncertainty.

2. Long-term fulfillment is rarely achieved through external rewards alone; deeper motivations are essential.

3. Dynamic drive involves curiosity, resilience, and connection with others, fueled by intentionality.

4. Success often requires asking difficult questions about what truly drives us and aligning our pursuits with our deepest values.

5. Constantly seeking improvement prevents complacency and sustains joy and fulfillment over time.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we are joined by Mark Matson, an advisor, wealth manager, and author of Experiencing The American Dream, who has a fascinating personal story. Mark discusses how his father’s mindset shift from a scarcity mentality to one of creating value for others significantly influenced his own life and career. He highlights how our psychology around money can either limit or enhance our creative potential.

We delve into the intricate relationship between money and creativity, emphasizing the importance of having a purpose greater than financial gain. We also discuss the intersection of human touch and technology in today's economy, and why maintaining human contact can be a key differentiator for creatives in an increasingly automated world.

Key Learnings:

1. Creative Risk-Taking: The extraordinary outcomes that can result from stepping out of financial fear and investing in bold, creative ideas, as exemplified by the Cincinnati DJs' story.

2. Mindset Matters: How adopting a value creation mindset, as Mark Matson’s father did, can open pathways to prosperity and success.

3. Money as a Tool: Viewing money as a tool rather than an end goal helps creative professionals focus on their work's true purpose and value.

4. Human Element: The irreplaceable value of human connection and support in fostering creativity and navigating technology-driven changes in the marketplace.

5. Purpose Over Profit: The importance of having a purpose beyond making money, as this drives fulfillment and resilience in both life and career.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the concept of generosity and how it can transform our professional and personal lives. Our guest, Mo Bunnell, author of the new book Give to Grow and founder of Bunnell Idea Group, joins us to discuss the distinction between doing the work and winning the work. Mo shares his insights on how being strategically generous can create raving fans and forge lasting professional relationships. We also explore practical strategies for infusing generosity into our everyday interactions and leadership, ensuring our efforts resonate deeply and generate meaningful connections.

Key Learnings:

1. Relationship Over Transaction: True professional success involves not just performing exceptional work, but also building lasting relationships by understanding the client’s unique needs and priorities.

2. Impact of Generosity: Small acts of generosity, like Billy Dean's 20 minutes at an airport, can humanize industries and leave a lasting impact on people, translating into long-term benefits.

3. Strategic Giving: Being a strategic giver means giving without expecting anything in return but sizing the give relative to potential payoffs, thus maximizing positive outcomes without depleting resources.

4. Effective Client Engagement: Using open-ended questions to engage clients in discussions about their dreams and needs helps in creating tailored solutions that resonate, rather than imposing pre-conceived ideas.

5. Practical Phrasing: Simple phrases like, "Would it be helpful if..." can facilitate collaboration and make it easier for clients to say yes, ensuring more seamless and effective engagements.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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What was the secret weapon that made Star Wars successful? (No, it wasn't the Death Star.) And, which Oscar-winning film's script was almost not even written, if not for some harsh words from a friend?

In this episode, we delve into the importance of healthy relationships, radical candor, and effective communication in the creative process. We hear stories of challenging relationships and transformative conversations that led to breakthroughs in creativity and collaboration. We learn about the pivotal role others play in our creative work and the significance of becoming the type of person others need in their creative journeys. Guests include Kim Scott (author of Radical Candor), Charles Duhigg (author of the new book Supercommunicators), and Ausin Kleon (author of Steal Like An Artist).

Key Learnings:

1. Healthy relationships can play a crucial role in the creative process, and the input of others can be transformative for our work.

2. Radical candor, the balance between caring personally and challenging directly, is rare but incredibly impactful in creative collaboration.

3. Understanding the kind of conversation we're having, whether practical, emotional, or social, is essential for effective communication and connection.

4. It's crucial to be attuned to others' needs and perspectives, and to engage in conversations that foster understanding and alignment.

5. Effective communication involves proving that we are genuinely listening and understanding the perspectives of others, which can mitigate conflicts and foster meaningful dialogue.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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In this episode, we explore the intersection of creativity, technology, and what it means to be human in a technological age with our guest, Andy Crouch. We discuss the defining features of technology and how it impacts our ability to be persons in the world. Andy explains the difference between tools and devices, and how devices replace human effort and skill, leading to expanded capabilities but diminished burden.

We delve into the hidden bargain of technology, where "you no longer have to" becomes "you no longer can," and eventually, "now you have to." This innovation bargain is illustrated through examples such as music streaming and the controversial Apple ad showcasing the "great flattening" of creative tools into an iPad.

Andy shares his thoughts on human taste and how it is developed through difficult encounters with the real. We discuss the dangers of settling for AI-generated content and the importance of maintaining our humanity in the face of technological advancements.

Five key learnings from the episode:

1. Technology is the defining feature of our age, and it is impacting our ability to be persons in the world.

2. Devices replace human effort and skill, leading to expanded capabilities but diminished burden.

3. The hidden bargain of technology is that "you no longer have to" becomes "you no longer can," and eventually, "now you have to."

4. Human taste is developed through difficult encounters with the real, and it is essential for discerning what is worthwhile in creative work.

5. We must actively decide not to surrender our humanity to technology and maintain our ability to think deeply and create meaningful work.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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If a butterfly flaps its wings in India, will your pizza arrive on time?

In this episode, we explore the idea of interconnectedness and the role it plays in our lives and creative work. We delve into how the chaos and randomness of the world influence ideas and decision-making, and some strategies for dealing with the uncertainty. Our guests include Diane Hoskins and Andy Cohen (co-CEO's of Gensler and authors of Design For A Radically Changing World), and Brian Klaas (author of Fluke) as we discuss the strategies and philosophies they employ to navigate the complexity of interconnections, leverage them for greater impact, and cultivate creativity in the face of uncertainty.

Key Ideas:

1. Overcoming fixation on the first idea: The danger of latching onto the first idea and missing out on alternative, more profound connections.

2. Leveraging randomness to our advantage: The idea of fighting randomness with randomness and increasing experimentation to anticipate unintended consequences and broaden the scope of options.

3. Collaborative leadership and embracing difference: How harnessing diverse perspectives and bringing together people with different strengths can lead to innovation and problem-solving.

4. Balancing local and global perspectives: The importance of understanding both the specifics and the broader patterns to gain deeper insights and have a greater impact.

5. Applying creativity to solve global challenges: Utilizing design and creative thinking to address interconnected global issues such as climate change, housing shortages, and social inequalities.

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Are you white-knuckling a station wagon? Or, is it possible you're just a multi-potentialite and don't know it?

In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the theme of paralysis in creativity and decision-making. Featuring insightful interviews with Emily Wapnick and Seth Godin, we uncover lessons about how to get unstuck. We learn about the different work models used by multipotentialites and the benefits of embracing varied interests and pursuits. With a focus on decision-making, the episode provides valuable insights for navigating moments of indecision and finding the courage to push through challenges.

Key learnings from this episode:

1. Paralysis in creativity can manifest in various forms, such as indecision, fear of failure, and the struggle to choose a specific path.

2. Understanding the concept of the "dip" and the "cul de sac" can help in determining whether to push through challenges or quit pursuits that lead nowhere.

3. Different work models, such as the group hug approach and the slash approach, offer multipotentialites a framework for integrating diverse interests into their careers.

4. The power of choice plays a significant role in overcoming creative paralysis, allowing individuals to make decisive decisions and embrace varied pursuits.

5. Embracing varied interests and pursuing multiple passions can be a source of strength and inspiration in one's creative journey.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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In today's episode of Daily Creative, we dive into the fascinating world of games and their impact on our creativity, leadership, and everyday life. Neuroscientist and physicist Kelly Clancy, author of "Playing with Reality," shares profound insights into how games have shaped our world and our thinking.

Kelly reveals how play is hardwired into our biology and explores its crucial role in learning, social development, and strategic thinking. She provides vivid examples from tech leaders and businesses, illustrating how game design principles can apply to leadership and incentivizing desired behaviors. Finally, we discuss misaligned incentives in organizations and how to create environments where creativity and strategic thinking can thrive.

Key Learnings:

1. Games and Fairness: The story of the Patriots fan underscores the complex nature of fairness in games and life and invites us to question the rules we follow.
2. Biological Roots of Play: Play is an evolutionarily ancient behavior essential for learning, social skills, and dealing with uncertainty.
3. Games in Technology: Many influential tech leaders began by designing games, highlighting the value of games in developing problem-solving and systems-level thinking.
4. Incentive Alignment: Misaligned incentives within companies can lead to undesired outcomes and employee frustration. Effective game design can help correct this.
5. Resourcing Creativity: Brave leadership involves providing the necessary resources and space for teams to thrive, pushing back against unrealistic expectations that stifle innovative work.

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In this episode, we discuss why just having a good idea is not enough. Joined by Wes Kao, a brand strategist and co-founder of Maven, we explore why merely having good ideas won't lead to their adoption, and how to effectively communicate and implement those ideas to achieve success. Wes shares her personal story of learning the difference between insights and actionable suggestions early in her career, emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility and advocating for one's ideas.

We delve into the concept of having a "spiky point of view" and its significance in standing out and driving impactful conversations. Wes also explains how translating unique ideas into actionable steps can garner the trust and support of managers and clients alike.

Finally, we highlight the inspiring story of a young musician who maintained his distinct style in the face of initial rejection, ultimately revolutionizing the music industry.

Key Learnings:

1. Creative professionals must articulate the value and process behind their work to gain recognition and trust.

2. There is a critical distinction between merely having insights and making actionable assertions.

3. Advocating for a point of view and backing it up with credible steps can significantly influence stakeholders.

4. Maintaining a "spiky point of view" helps in standing out and initiating meaningful discussions.

5. Staying true to one's unique creative abilities, even in the face of rejection, can pave the way for long-term success and impact.

Get full interviews, daily episodes, courses, and more at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In today's episode, we explore the concept of how the sense of time affects our mindset with guest Oliver Burkeman, author of the book "4000 Weeks".

We delve into several traps that creative professionals often fall into due to this awareness of limited time, such as procrastination, the efficiency trap, and the fear of missing out (FOMO). Burkeman offers strategies to counter these tendencies, including embracing the joy of missing out (JOMO) and focusing on fewer but more meaningful endeavors.

Furthermore, we discuss the distinction between mapping (planning), making (doing the work), and meshing (personal development), stressing the need for balance among these three types of work to maximize our creative output.

Key Learnings:

1. Finite Time Awareness: Recognizing our limited lifespan helps us focus on what truly matters.
2. Overcome Procrastination: Beginning a project can be intimidating, but it’s essential to move past the fear of losing control.
3. Efficiency Trap: Simply making processes more efficient can lead to more tasks and overwhelm; balance is key.
4. Joy of Missing Out (JOMO): Embracing the joy of missing out can liberate us from the fear of missing out, leading to more focused and meaningful work.
5. Balanced Work Types: Balancing mapping, making, and meshing leads to effective and fulfilling creative endeavors.

Get full interviews, daily episodes, courses, and more at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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Why do talented, capable people fail to ask the questions that they know they should ask?

In this episode, our guest, Jeff Wetzler, author of the book Ask, shares why capable individuals often struggle to learn from others.

Throughout the conversation, we explore Jeff's five-part ASK framework, designed to systemize effective questioning and enrich our understanding of those around us.

We learn that choosing curiosity, making it safe, asking quality questions, listening to learn, and reflecting and reconnecting are key practices that lead to impactful learning and growth.

Join us as we unravel why these practices are crucial and how to integrate them into our daily lives to become more aware, thoughtful, and effective in our personal and professional interactions.

Key Learnings:

1. Choose Curiosity: We should actively choose to be curious and strive to learn from others, rather than relying on our existing assumptions.

2. Make It Safe: Creating a psychologically safe environment encourages others to share valuable insights without fear of judgment.

3. Ask Quality Questions: Good questions are those that genuinely seek to learn from others and are asked at the right moment.

4. Listen to Learn: Listening with the intention to learn, rather than to respond, leads to deeper understanding and better outcomes.

5. Reflect and Reconnect: Post-conversation reflection and subsequent connection ensure that insights are properly understood and lead to actionable steps.

Get full interviews, daily episodes, courses, and more at DailyCreative.app.

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In this episode, we investigate the necessity of working in harmony with our environment and our own resource constraints. We are joined by Laura Mae Martin, Google's productivity expert and author of Uptime, who shares invaluable insights on productivity, efficiency, and creative flow.

Laura recounts her journey at Google, where she transitioned from a sales role to coaching executives and developing productivity strategies from scratch. In a world teeming with tools and technologies, she argues for the need to be selective about the tools we use and deliberate in our approach to productivity. She introduces her five-step funnel framework—Create, Capture, Consolidate, Close, and Calm—that facilitates creative work from ideation to execution while emphasizing the importance of downtime.

We also discuss the strategy of zero-based calendaring, which encourages designing your week from a blank slate to prioritize tasks that truly matter. This approach, alongside thoughtful planning and creating buffers in your schedule, can help manage the overwhelming demands of modern work life.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Work in Harmony: Emulate the serene and focused approach of master artisans to produce high-quality work more efficiently.

2. Five-Step Funnel: Apply Laura's framework—Create, Capture, Consolidate, Close, and Calm—to streamline your creative process.

3. Zero-Based Calendaring: Rethink your schedule from scratch to ensure it aligns with your true priorities.

4. Buffers for Productivity: Allocate specific periods free from interruptions to allow for deep, focused work.

5. Downtime Equals Uptime: Integrate adequate breaks and periods of calm into your schedule to fuel creativity and prevent burnout.

Mentioned in this episode: Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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Get full interviews, tools, and daily coaching at DailyCreative.app.

Are teams inherently more, or less productive than individuals? And, is there a way to structure teamwork so that it's less cumbersome?

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of Philo Farnsworth, the farm boy who revolutionized the world with the invention of electronic television. Despite his humble beginnings and the lack of formal education, Farnsworth's vision and determination enabled him to outpace corporate giants like RCA, proving the power of individual ingenuity. However, this story sparks an important question: do individuals achieve more than teams, or is there a way for teams to function as highly effective, innovative units?

We explore this with our guest, David Allen, author of the international bestseller "Getting Things Done" and the new book "Team." David discusses the gap between individual and team productivity and outlines core practices from his book that can help teams function more effectively. These practices include capturing what has the team's collective attention, clarifying and organizing actionable steps, reflecting on progress, and engaging effectively.

Key Learnings:

1. Capture Team Focus: Identifying what captures a team's attention helps bring crucial, non-routine issues into focus.
2. Clarification and Context: Clarifying captured points to understand their importance and context ensures the team is aligned on priorities.
3. Organize Information: Having structured methods to organize and store team data and tasks ensures accessibility and streamlined workflow.
4. Reflect Regularly: Periodic reflection, such as daily stand-ups or annual reviews, ensures the team remains current with objectives and progress.
5. Engage Purposefully: Combining these steps allows teams to engage with purpose, rather than reacting to immediate pressures, thus making more informed and strategic decisions.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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Get full interviews and daily episodes in the Daily Creative app.

In this episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the fascinating world of questioning and its impact on creativity and problem-solving. We start with a story from the 1980s about A&W Restaurants’ third-pound burger blunder, highlighting the importance of asking the right questions.

We then welcome Warren Berger, the author of "A More Beautiful Question," who shares his journey from a newspaper journalist to a "questionologist." Berger emphasizes that asking the right questions is a vital skill that often goes untrained, even in fields that rely heavily on inquiry, like journalism.

Our discussion reveals how innovators from Silicon Valley use questions not just to gather information but to spark creativity and solve problems. Berger introduces us to three fundamental types of questions—Why?, What If?, and How?—that can guide us through any challenge.

We also explore how leaders can cultivate a questioning culture within their organizations by modeling curiosity, transforming mission statements into mission questions, and encouraging open inquiry among team members.

Finally, Todd Henry challenges listeners to identify and overcome their own limiting assumptions, or "ghost rules," using curiosity-driven questioning.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Clear and effective questioning is crucial in marketing and creative work, as illustrated by A&W’s third-pound burger mistake.

2. Training in the art of questioning is often overlooked, even in professions that depend on it, such as journalism.

3. Innovators use questions to understand problems, imagine solutions, and take actionable steps—summarized in the Why, What If, and How framework.

4. Leaders can foster a culture of questioning by modeling curiosity, encouraging open-ended questions, and rewarding inquisitive thinking.

5. Challenging and reframing our assumptions (ghost rules) can unlock new possibilities and drive innovation.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Mentioned in this episode:

Pre-order The Brave Habit, get the audiobook for FREE

You may have noticed that we're currently in the middle of a five part series on creative courage. That's because my new book, The Brave Habit, launches on January 23rd. It's been a multi-year passion project for me, and I really want you to read it. So, if you pre-order the book before January 23rd and then register your pre-order, I'm going to give you the audio book for free along with a PDF of the brave habit workbook, super simple. And you can do it all at ToddHenry.com/brave

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In this episode we delve into the intricacies of managing the spotlight and thriving within it. Our conversations with Michael Port, Tim Schurrer, and Richard Hytner unfold valuable insights on navigating the pressures of high-stakes situations, finding contentment beyond recognition, and fostering healthy dynamics within creative teams.

Michael Port shares his wisdom on overcoming self-absorption and neuroses by focusing on being helpful and the need for thorough rehearsal in high-stakes situations. He urges us to rehearse effectively for speeches and critical performances, ensuring we are well-prepared and confident.

Tim Schurrer draws inspiration from Michael Collins, the unsung hero of the Apollo Eleven mission, to illustrate the satisfaction found in contributing to a larger cause rather than seeking the spotlight. He defines the "spotlight mindset" and offers strategies to counter its harmful effects, emphasizing the importance of humble confidence and recognizing the contributions of others.

Richard Hytner provides a unique perspective on leadership from the shadows, advocating for the value of "C's" (consiglieri) who support "A's" (accountables) in creative organizations. He emphasizes the significance of reciprocal feedback, emotional intelligence, and the necessity for both roles to appreciate and leverage each other's strengths.

Key Learnings:

1. Focus on being helpful and well-prepared through thorough rehearsal to overcome self-absorption in high-stakes situations.
2. Find contentment and success by contributing to a larger cause instead of seeking recognition and the spotlight.
3. Cultivate humble confidence and create a culture that values and recognizes everyone's contributions.
4. Understand the importance of the relationship between "A's" and "C's" in creative organizations and how both roles can thrive together.
5. Embrace discomfort in the spotlight as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Mentioned in this episode:

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

Craft a brand story that makes sense. Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to simplify your message.

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the power of storytelling with guest Neal Foard, a seasoned storyteller with a background in advertising. Neal shares personal anecdotes that showcase the impact and importance of the stories we choose to tell. From moments of kindness and enthusiasm to lessons on being relatable and engaging through storytelling, we delve into the art of crafting narratives to create connections and leave a lasting impression.

Get the full 60+ minute interview with Neal Foard, as well as daily episodes, guides, courses, access to the full archive of hundreds of episodes, and more in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Key learnings from the episode:

1. The stories we tell reveal a lot about our character and can influence how others perceive us.
2. Life becomes easier when people like you, and storytelling is a powerful tool to cultivate likability.
3. Avoid making yourself the hero of your stories to foster genuine connections and camaraderie.
4. Practice storytelling as a craft to perfect your narratives and create meaningful connections.
5. Pay attention to everyday moments and choose to create stories that inspire, uplift, and connect with others.

Mentioned in this episode:

Craft a brand story that makes sense. Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to simplify your message.

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the power of storytelling with guest Neal Foard, a seasoned storyteller with a background in advertising. Neal shares personal anecdotes that showcase the impact and importance of the stories we choose to tell. From moments of kindness and enthusiasm to lessons on being relatable and engaging through storytelling, we delve into the art of crafting narratives to create connections and leave a lasting impression.

Get the full 60+ minute interview with Neal Foard, as well as daily episodes, guides, courses, access to the full archive of hundreds of episodes, and more in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

Key learnings from the episode:

1. The stories we tell reveal a lot about our character and can influence how others perceive us.
2. Life becomes easier when people like you, and storytelling is a powerful tool to cultivate likability.
3. Avoid making yourself the hero of your stories to foster genuine connections and camaraderie.
4. Practice storytelling as a craft to perfect your narratives and create meaningful connections.
5. Pay attention to everyday moments and choose to create stories that inspire, uplift, and connect with others.

Mentioned in this episode:

Craft a brand story that makes sense. Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to simplify your message.

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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In this episode, we delve into the pervasive issue of anxiety and its impact on creative work. Liz Bohannon shares her journey from corporate life to launching Sseko Designs in Uganda. She explains how the narrative of being "special" can foster fear and anxiety, leading to a reluctance to take risks.

ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman recounts his experiences with panic attacks, including a career-defining on-air mistake, and the strategies he's used to manage anxiety, which he shares in his book No Time to Panic.

Scott Mautz offers insights on building mental strength through fortitude, confidence, boldness, decision-making, goal focus, and positive messaging, outlined in his new book The Mentally Strong Leader.

Finally, Erwin McManus discusses the importance of creating for others and how love can displace anxiety. His new book is called Mind Shift.

Five Key Learnings:

1. The Myth of Being Special: Liz Bohannon highlights how believing you are inherently special can actually lead to fear and anxiety, causing you to play it safe and stifling creativity.
2. Techniques for Managing Anxiety: Matt Gutman introduces various modalities, including physical activities and mindfulness techniques, that can help manage anxiety and prevent panic attacks.
3. Mental Strength in Leadership: Scott Mautz outlines six core mental muscles—fortitude, confidence, boldness, decision making, goal focus, and messaging—that leaders can develop to regulate emotions and thoughts.
4. Redirect Rhythm: A simple but effective four-step process called the "redirect rhythm" can help manage negative emotions and improve mental strength.
5. Creating with Love: Erwin McManus emphasizes the importance of creating for the benefit of others and how love can be a powerful force in combating anxiety and enhancing creativity.

Listen to full interviews, and get daily episodes, guides, and access to the full archives at DailyCreative.app.

Mentioned in this episode:

Simplify your brand story. Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to learn more.

NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

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In this episode we dive deep into what it means to truly commit to your creative project, featuring stories from our guests, Daniel Troia (award-winning filmmaker of We're All In This Together), Brent Underwood (author of Ghost Town Living), and A.J. Jacobs (NY Times author of The Year Of Living Constitutionally). Daniel shares his unique journey of creating an award-winning film with minimal resources while relying on the kindness of strangers across America. Brent recounts his tale of revitalizing an abandoned mining town, investing all his resources despite numerous setbacks, including a devastating fire and the pandemic. And, A.J. Jacobs brings his usual blend of humor and wisdom to our discussion, elaborating on how he brings the lessons of his long-arc creative experiments to the world.

Here are five key lessons from the episode:

1. Pursuit of Passion Projects: Each guest highlights the personal fulfillment derived from pursuing their unique passion projects. Daniel Troia's filmmaking journey, Brent Underwood's revitalization of Cerro Gordo, and A.J. Jacobs' immersive experiments demonstrate the depths of commitment and the personal satisfaction it can bring.

2. Understanding Costs and Setting Boundaries: The experiences of Brent Underwood and A.J. Jacobs shed light on the importance of being aware of the sacrifices involved in chasing ambitious goals. They both stress the necessity of setting healthy boundaries to avoid burnout and ensure sustainability in their pursuits.

3. Value of Experiential Learning: Both Daniel Troia and A.J. Jacobs emphasize learning by doing. Whether it’s learning filmmaking on the go or experimenting with living by historical documents, these experiences provide unique insights and foster a deeper understanding of their subjects.

4. Impact of Deep Engagement: A.J. Jacobs’ approach to his projects, such as adopting the tools and methods from the 18th century, illustrates how immersive experiences can lead to profound reflections and unexpected revelations, proving the value of engaging deeply with one’s work.

5. Community and Support: Across the narratives, there’s a recurring theme of the role of community and supportive relationships. Whether it's the strangers who aided Daniel Troia on his journey or the need for people who can offer honest feedback as mentioned by Brent Underwood, the support system is crucial for navigating the challenges of intense, passion-driven projects.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

Mentioned in this episode

Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to learn more.

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We're back with another slate of Daily Creative episodes! In this episode, we delve into the concept of slow productivity—a groundbreaking approach challenging traditional work norms that push us toward constant busyness. Authors Cal Newport, Ryan Holiday, and Marc Zao Sanders join us to dissect why the old factory model doesn't align with human cognitive patterns and propose solutions to counteract pseudo productivity.

Newport describes the damaging effects of high-intensity work without variation and shares insights on how modern work culture overburdens us through excessive pseudo productivity. Holiday talks about the personal and financial benefits of scaling back and creating more space for meaningful work, while Sanders introduces the concept of "time boxing" as a method to manage and complete tasks effectively.

Five Key Learnings:

1. Mismatch of Work Pace and Human Nature: Traditional continuous high-intensity work does not suit human cognitive behavior, which requires varied intensity and rest.
2. Consequences of Pseudo Productivity: The inability to measure knowledge work effectively has led managers to prioritize visible activity, inadvertently promoting an unhealthy work culture.
3. Importance of Workload Management: Effective workload management and making workload visible within organizations can help in better prioritization and lessen stress.
4. Benefits of Doing Less: Focusing on fewer tasks at a time can lead to better quality outcomes, making the work more valuable.
5. Time Boxing Over Time Blocking: Time blocking falls short without completion; time boxing focuses on finishing tasks within a set timeframe to maintain productivity and momentum.

Listen to full interviews, and get access to daily episodes, guides, and more in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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Work with Josh Gott. Visit GotClarity.com to learn more.

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Are there really universal laws of creativity? Doesn't that sound too good to be true?

In final episode of season one, hosts Todd Henry and Joshua Gott discuss Dave Zaboski's five 'Universal Laws Of Creativity', unpacking powerful insights from the first twelve episodes. They explore the dynamics of feedback and empathy in collaborative environments, the invigorating challenge of early project traction, the strategy behind juggling multiple initiatives, the transformative power of belief in the creative process, and the courage it takes to invite others into your work.

Here are some key insights:

1. Feedback is a dish best served with care.

Navigating the fine line between directness and consideration is crucial when giving feedback. Todd Henry's candid confession about his sometimes over-aggressive approach to challenging ideas hints at the nuanced dance of pushing for improvement without bruising spirits.

How can you ensure that your feedback builds up rather than tears down?

2. Empathy without action leads to creative stagnation.

Ruinous empathy can silently sabotage the best of teams, as the episode's conversation reveals. Over-caring without confronting issues may seem harmless but often results in a loss of trust and stunted growth. Instead, fostering a culture where challenges are met head-on, albeit with a human touch, can fuel a more vibrant and productive creative process.

Is your empathy is empowering others or enabling a fear of conflict.

1. The first step of creation is belief in the vision.

A core message delivered by Dave Zaboski is the indispensable power of belief for igniting the creative spark. The session revisits moments when embracing a vision was the impetus for remarkable collaborations and projects. From the drawing boards of iconic films to the birth of a podcast season, belief is the secret sauce that enables creators to dream and venture beyond the ordinary.

What creative vision are you pursuing?

4. Risk is the price of admission for a chance to dance with success.

Thad Cockrell's tale of a $99 album and the musician's gamble of mortgaging his house underlines a truth discussed in our episode: pivotal breaks often come at the heels of risk-filled decisions. Linking this concept to the 'Band of Brothers' metaphor echoes the idea that freedom to create is intertwined with the bravery to confront possible losses.

What risk might you need to take in order to make your idea happen?

5. Completion is a marathon, not a sprint.

The hardest part is not starting, but finishing — this sentiment is echoed throughout the episode, particularly in the context of managing one's energy and resolve. As creators, seeing a project through to its conclusion, especially when novelty wanes and the grind sets in, distinguishes the successful from those who fall short.

What does "finishing" mean in your current work?

As always, you can hear the full interview with Dave Zaboski and receive daily episodes and prompts in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app.

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NEW BOOK! The Brave Habit is available now

Rise to important moments in your life and work by developing the habit of bravery. Available in paperback, ebook, or audiobook wherever books are sold.Learn more

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Have you ever noticed those water towers, scattered across the horizon, and thought "Hmm... I wonder how those work?" Well, there's actually lot to learn from them about how to manage your life as a creative pro.

In this episode, we explore the idea of managing energy instead of time in our creative process. Our guests, Lisa Congdon, Brian Johnson (author of Areté), Tony Schwartz (author of Be Excellent At Anything), and Jeff Karp (author of LIT), share their insights on the importance of understanding the creative process as a journey with highs and lows. We explore the link between physical and creative energy, emphasizing the significance of managing energy effectively to achieve peak performance in our work.

The episode covers essential strategies for managing energy, including the concept of activation energy, the impact of deep work and intermittent renewal, and the importance of prioritizing tasks based on their energy requirements. It also delves into the power of micro-progress, the negative effects of multitasking, and the value of starting each day with the most important task.

Key learnings:

1. Managing energy is crucial for achieving peak performance in creative work.

2. Prioritizing the most important task at the start of the day can significantly impact productivity.

3. Working in increments and avoiding multitasking can lead to higher quality work.

4. Small victories and low activation energy goals can contribute to overall energy management and motivation.

5. Recognizing the link between physical and creative energy is essential for sustained optimal performance.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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Are you "flying blind"? It's rare that everything is so clear that you can see exactly what to do. In those situations it's dangerous to just go with your gut. In creative work, you need a few external tools to help you gauge which decision is best.

In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore how creators can navigate life's challenges by establishing a personal "instrument panel". We learn key insights from business leaders and high-performance coaches about living a remarkable life. Our guests include Guy Kawasaki (author of Think Remarkable), Christiana Smith Shi and Grace Puma (authors of Career Forward), and Jason Jaggard and Joseph Barkley (authors of Beyond High Performance).

Key Learnings:

1. Maintain perspective: Understand that situations are never as good or as bad as they seem, and use the attitude indicator to stay balanced.

2. Plant many seeds: Continuously sow opportunities and remain open to countless possibilities, regardless of the outcomes.

3. Embrace being underestimated: Actively pursue roles or projects where others may underestimate you, as it can lead to standing out and rising to the top.

4. Beware of benevolent stagnation: Don't get too comfortable in your success; actively seek change and new challenges to keep growing.

5. Choose an optimistic vision: Instead of creating a pessimistic view of the future, opt for an optimistic perspective and believe in the possibility of success.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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How do you get the most out of your mind in the moment you need your mind the most?

In this episode of Daily Creative, we delve into the power of the mind and how to maximize its potential in moments of creative need. Todd Henry is joined by guests Andy J. Pizza, Juliet Funt, Charan Ranganath, Dan Doyon, and Tiago Forte to explore the various strategies to leverage the subconscious for creative inspiration. The discussion touches on the concept of incubation, the interplay between the conscious and subconscious mind, the importance of a healthy mental diet, the impact of repetition on memory and idea recall, and the development of a "second brain" to store and organize ideas for easy access.

Key learnings from this episode:

1. Giving our minds space and time for incubation is crucial for inspiring creative insights.

2. The subconscious mind requires a healthy mental diet of high-quality stimuli to fuel the creative process effectively.

3. Repetition and organization of ideas through tools like the second brain method can help improve memory retention and idea recall.

4. Diversifying sources of information and experiences can prevent the mind from becoming narrow in its range of memories and ideas.

5. External systems like a second brain can lighten the cognitive load and provide easy access to a wealth of amassed ideas.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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A pervasive myth of creativity goes something like this: if it's good, it should feel easy. But that's never been the case... for anyone. The truth is, doing creative work is hard. Sometimes it's like carving marble.

In this episode, we explore the challenges of creativity and uncover strategies to overcome mental blocks when facing the daunting task of generating new ideas. From the unconventional approach of famous musicians and physicists to the power of terrible ideas, we invite listeners to push boundaries, think outside the box, and embrace the discomfort of creativity.

Key Learnings:

1. Embrace Irresponsibility: Sometimes, the pressure to be brilliant can hinder creativity. By allowing ourselves to play around with ideas without the expectation of publication, we can unlock new pathways and generate unconventional solutions.

2. The Power of Terrible Ideas: Imaginating, or intentionally focusing on terrible ideas, can paradoxically lead to breakthrough concepts. By freeing ourselves from self-editing, we create space for unexpected and innovative thinking.

3. Personal Idea Pad: Utilizing a tool such as the personal idea pad can help force connections and spark new ideas by smashing random concepts together. (Get the PIP at IdeaPad.me)

4. Overcoming Biological Challenges: Our brain’s novelty function can work against creativity, but with deliberate tools and strategies, we can hijack our biology and foster unique and valuable ideas.

5. Creativity Is Work: Creativity demands effort, persistence, and the willingness to push beyond comfort zones. Great ideas are attainable if we are committed to the process.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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What was the secret weapon that made Star Wars successful? (No, it wasn't the Death Star.) And, which Oscar-winning film's script was almost not even written, if not for some harsh words from a friend?

In this episode, we delve into the importance of healthy relationships, radical candor, and effective communication in the creative process. We hear stories of challenging relationships and transformative conversations that led to breakthroughs in creativity and collaboration. We learn about the pivotal role others play in our creative work and the significance of becoming the type of person others need in their creative journeys. Guests include Kim Scott (author of Radical Candor), Charles Duhigg (author of the new book Supercommunicators), and Ausin Kleon (author of Steal Like An Artist).

Key Learnings:

1. Healthy relationships can play a crucial role in the creative process, and the input of others can be transformative for our work.

2. Radical candor, the balance between caring personally and challenging directly, is rare but incredibly impactful in creative collaboration.

3. Understanding the kind of conversation we're having, whether practical, emotional, or social, is essential for effective communication and connection.

4. It's crucial to be attuned to others' needs and perspectives, and to engage in conversations that foster understanding and alignment.

5. Effective communication involves proving that we are genuinely listening and understanding the perspectives of others, which can mitigate conflicts and foster meaningful dialogue.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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Chances are, you're probably not taking enough shots.

In this episode, we explore the importance of starting more and letting go of the pressure to finish everything. We discuss how embracing parallel creation and being unafraid to repeat ourselves can lead to brilliant work. We also hear from Becky Blades, Austin Kleon, Andy J. Pizza, and Ozan Varol about the significance of taking action on our ideas without being paralyzed by the fear of public perception.

Key Insights:

1. Overthinking can hinder creativity, so it's important to move from imagination to action swiftly.

2. Embracing the process of starting multiple ideas can help identify the ones worth persevering for.

3. Pay attention to the ideas that won't leave you alone, as they may be the keepers.

4. Life is more of a jungle gym than a ladder; sometimes the road ahead only becomes clear as you take each step.

5. Taking action on the ideas that resonate with you is crucial, as the world often lights the path ahead only a few steps at a time.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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If a butterfly flaps its wings in India, will your pizza arrive on time?

In this episode, we explore the idea of interconnectedness and the role it plays in our lives and creative work. We delve into how the chaos and randomness of the world influence ideas and decision-making, and some strategies for dealing with the uncertainty. Our guests include Diane Hoskins and Andy Cohen (co-CEO's of Gensler and authors of Design For A Radically Changing World), and Brian Klaas (author of Fluke) as we discuss the strategies and philosophies they employ to navigate the complexity of interconnections, leverage them for greater impact, and cultivate creativity in the face of uncertainty.

Key Ideas:

1. Overcoming fixation on the first idea: The danger of latching onto the first idea and missing out on alternative, more profound connections.

2. Leveraging randomness to our advantage: The idea of fighting randomness with randomness and increasing experimentation to anticipate unintended consequences and broaden the scope of options.

3. Collaborative leadership and embracing difference: How harnessing diverse perspectives and bringing together people with different strengths can lead to innovation and problem-solving.

4. Balancing local and global perspectives: The importance of understanding both the specifics and the broader patterns to gain deeper insights and have a greater impact.

5. Applying creativity to solve global challenges: Utilizing design and creative thinking to address interconnected global issues such as climate change, housing shortages, and social inequalities.

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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What does it feel like, after years of hard work, to have Jimmy Fallon rescue your album from obscurity? And then what do you do when you realize that, for all practical purposes, it really didnt make that much of a difference?

In this episode, we explore Thad Cockrell's extraordinary journey in the music industry. Thad's latest album, The Kid, encapsulates his brave decision-making over the years, showcasing his resilience amidst the highs and the lows. From his unexpected "encounter" with Jimmy Fallon at a hardware store to the challenges he and his work faced during the pandemic, Thad shares how he persisted in pursuing his passion for music by playing by his own rules.

Key Learnings:

1. The power of perseverance and bravery: Thad Cockrell's story demonstrates the importance of never giving up, even when faced with setbacks and challenges. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience and determination in pursuing creative endeavors.

2. Embracing naivete: Thad's willingness to embrace the "gift of naivete" allowed him to break free from conventional wisdom and expectations, enabling him to pursue his passion for music with a sense of fearlessness and openness.

3. Challenging industry norms: Thad's decision to release his album independently at a price of $99 challenges the traditional music industry model. His approach aims to create an escape hatch for artists who feel constrained by the current system and seeks to change the narrative that artists have to suffer or be poor.

4. The healthy triangle: Thad's therapist introduced him to the concept of the "healthy triangle" consisting of ownership, negotiation, and boundaries. This framework influenced his approach to business and life, empowering him to take control and make decisions aligned with his values and aspirations.

5. The transformative power of music: Thad's profound belief in the impact of music on individuals and society underscores the enduring and influential nature of music. His commitment to creating music that resonates deeply with listeners exemplifies the transformative potential of artistic expression.

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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Why would you drive a perfectly good barge through a perfectly good yacht club?

In this episode of Daily Creative, we embark on a journey with Todd Henry and host Joshua Gott as they delve into the rebranding of the podcast from The Accidental Creative to Daily Creative.

With the release of Todd's 7th book, The Brave Habit, they explore the deep changes and tough decisions Todd has made in his career, as he confronts the death of the brand he cultivated over 18 years. They discuss the catalysts behind Todd's decision-making, reflect on pivotal moments in his career, and explore the important concepts of bravery and having a vision for the future.

The episode offers valuable insights on confronting fear, embracing change, and pursuing a vision for a better future in your personal and professional life.

Key Learnings:

1. Brave decisions often precede a period of transformation. Embracing change and confronting fear can lead to new opportunities and growth.

2. Having a clear vision for the future is essential. Recognizing how things could be better propels individuals to make brave decisions and take action.

3. Comfort and familiarity can hinder progress. It's important to recognize when fine isn't good enough and pursue excellence, even if it means letting go and starting over.

4. Claiming agency is crucial in making brave decisions. Realizing one's capacity to contribute to a better future is a vital step in pursuing change and growth.

5. Living out the principles being shared is essential. Todd's personal journey reflects the bravery and commitment to change and growth that he encourages in others through his work and writing.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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Are you white-knuckling a station wagon? Or, is it possible you're just a multi-potentialite and don't know it?

In this episode of Daily Creative, we explore the theme of paralysis in creativity and decision-making. Featuring insightful interviews with Emily Wapnick and Seth Godin, we uncover lessons about how to get unstuck. We learn about the different work models used by multipotentialites and the benefits of embracing varied interests and pursuits. With a focus on decision-making, the episode provides valuable insights for navigating moments of indecision and finding the courage to push through challenges.

Key learnings from this episode:

1. Paralysis in creativity can manifest in various forms, such as indecision, fear of failure, and the struggle to choose a specific path.

2. Understanding the concept of the "dip" and the "cul de sac" can help in determining whether to push through challenges or quit pursuits that lead nowhere.

3. Different work models, such as the group hug approach and the slash approach, offer multipotentialites a framework for integrating diverse interests into their careers.

4. The power of choice plays a significant role in overcoming creative paralysis, allowing individuals to make decisive decisions and embrace varied pursuits.

5. Embracing varied interests and pursuing multiple passions can be a source of strength and inspiration in one's creative journey.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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How does learning to dunk a basketball help you sell digital ads? And, what if you got rid of titles in your company and just focused instead on tasks?

These are just a few of the questions we explore on today's episode.

If you want to do brave, creative work, you have to go "all in". But how do you do that when you don't necessarily love the tasks that you have to do all day? On this episode, we explore strategies for overcoming resistance and fully engaging with work. We discuss three different approaches to tackling this challenge: Mike Michalowicz's model of providing fit, ability, safety, and ownership, the "Tell Me Your Dreams" program at Common Thread Collective, and their follow-up focus on building elite performance "standard setting" at the company. Each approach offers unique insights into driving engagement and empowering us to excel.

Key Learnings:

1. The importance of identifying and overcoming resistance in creative work, as discussed by Steven Pressfield in his book "The War of Art."

2. Mike Michalowicz's approach to fostering engagement by matching individual talents to tasks in the workplace, leading to improved performance and job satisfaction. Mike's new book is called All In.

3. The "Tell Me Your Dreams" program at Common Thread Collective, emphasizing support for employees' personal dreams in exchange for commitment to the company's goals, which later evolved into a focus on personal growth and empowerment.

4. The shift from motivating individuals with personal dreams to cultivating a company culture centered around embracing challenge and striving for elite performance.

5. The significance of aligning individual aspirations with organizational goals in creating a thriving and motivated team.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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In this first episode of Daily Creative with Todd Henry, we explore the concept of vision and its role in our work and relationships. We hear from Joshua Gott, a consultant and strategist, and Jonbob Willis, a creative photographer and "mad scientist", who share their experiences of pursuing their passions and visions, despite fear and uncertainty. Through their stories, we discover that discontentment often leads to the birth of a vision, and that having the courage to act in the face of uncertainty and fear can lead to remarkable outcomes. The episode challenges us to consider what we might do if fear had no power over us and failure was an option, encouraging us to embrace brave action and creative courage in our lives and work.

Todd Henry's new book The Brave Habit releases on January 23!

Key Learnings:

1. Discontentment can be the catalyst for developing a vision for the future, as it prompts us to consider what could be better in our lives and work.

2. Acting bravely and pursuing our visions often involves stepping into the unknown, embracing uncertainty, and taking risks.

3. When pursuing a vision, it's important to focus on what we are moving toward, rather than what we are trying to escape.

4. Permission is not needed to pursue our ideas and passion projects. We should not be afraid to try new things and take risks, even if failure is a possibility.

5. Embracing creative courage and acting boldly in the face of fear and uncertainty can lead to unexpected and meaningful outcomes.

Get full interviews and daily content in the Daily Creative app at DailyCreative.app

Learn more about Joshua Gott at JoshuaGott.com

Learn more about Jonbob Willis at Jonbob.com

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We want your questions, stories, and thoughts!

We're collecting your questions, stories, and reactions to episodes 1-13 of Daily Creative for our April series. To submit a question, just go to dcshare.me, click the mic button, and share your thoughts.If we use your submission on the show, you'll get a Daily Creative t-shirt.

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If you’re paying attention at all, you’ve probably become very aware of the advent of AI tools and have probably heard something about how they are going to transform the world of knowledge and creative work, or even possibly replace knowledge workers. But what if there’s a different way to think about it? Is it possible that these tools might actually massively accelerate your capacity to produce brilliant work?

Today I am thrilled to chat with Gavin Purcell.

Gavin is a powerhouse in the world of digital and traditional media. Known for his role as a producer on shows like "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," and the game-changing series "Attack of the Show!," he has consistently been a visionary, pushing the envelope in how we consume and interact with content. Gavin has a knack for blending humor, technology, and storytelling in a way that not only entertains but also engages audiences in a unique way.

But what really sets Gavin apart is his passion for innovation. Whether it's integrating social media into late-night talk shows or pioneering new formats of audience interaction, he has an innate ability to sense where the industry is heading and get there before anyone else. His work has received multiple accolades, proving that taking risks in the media landscape does pay off.

His new project is a YouTube show called AI for Humans, which is all about the future of tech, creativity, and the creative marketplace.

Today, we're going to talk about the future of digital media, how technology is shaping the way we engage with stories, and what's on the horizon for creative pros with regard to generative AI and how to prepare. We'll also get a glimpse into Gavin's creative process, something every aspiring media professional or tech enthusiast won't want to miss.

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What’s the first thing that goes through your mind when I say “creative person”?

Depending on your experiences, your initial thoughts may inspire warm ideas like “collaborative, open, possibility thinker” or maybe, on the other side, some less positive ones like “difficult, prima donna, or snobby.”

In my book Herding Tigers I wrote about five persistent myths about creative people that often lead to challenges in the workplace. On this episode, we’re going to address and bust these myths.

Why is busting these myths so important? First of all, perpetuating stereotypes can discourage people from embracing their own creative potential. If you've been led to believe that you can't be analytical and creative at the same time, for instance, you might shy away from opportunities that allow you to use both sets of skills.

Second, these myths can impede collaboration and communication. If you're a manager who believes that creative individuals are flaky or unreliable, you might hesitate to entrust them with important projects—missing out on their unique skills and perspectives. And third, let's face it—most of us enjoy a bit of myth-busting; it’s refreshing to challenge our own perspectives and grow as individuals.

Today, we’ll be exploring five of the most pervasive myths about creative people. We'll dissect each one, delve into its origins, and, most importantly, unveil the truth.

And, if you want to delve deeper into this topic, check out chapter two of Herding Tigers, which is what I’ll be reading from today.

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What’s the first thing that goes through your mind when I say “creative person”?

Depending on your experiences, your initial thoughts may inspire warm ideas like “collaborative, open, possibility thinker” or maybe, on the other side, some less positive ones like “difficult, prima donna, or snobby.”

In my book Herding Tigers I wrote about five persistent myths about creative people that often lead to challenges in the workplace. On this episode, we’re going to address and bust these myths.

Why is busting these myths so important? First of all, perpetuating stereotypes can discourage people from embracing their own creative potential. If you've been led to believe that you can't be analytical and creative at the same time, for instance, you might shy away from opportunities that allow you to use both sets of skills.

Second, these myths can impede collaboration and communication. If you're a manager who believes that creative individuals are flaky or unreliable, you might hesitate to entrust them with important projects—missing out on their unique skills and perspectives. And third, let's face it—most of us enjoy a bit of myth-busting; it’s refreshing to challenge our own perspectives and grow as individuals.

Today, we’ll be exploring five of the most pervasive myths about creative people. We'll dissect each one, delve into its origins, and, most importantly, unveil the truth.

And, if you want to delve deeper into this topic, check out chapter two of Herding Tigers, which is what I’ll be reading from today.

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Some ideas are so crazy that “moonshot” doesn’t even do them credit. “Loonshot” seems more appropriate. On this episode, physicist and entrepreneur Safi Bachall is here to teach us how to nurture the crazy ideas that win wars, cure diseases, and transform industries with insights from his book Loonshots.

This episode is a replay from 2019.

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Many of the best innovations are the ones we create to scratch our own itch. I started this very podcast back in 2005 because I was struggling as a Creative Director to find decent conversations about how to help my team stay healthy and productive over the long-term. Today’s guest also scratched an itch, and its now helped countless people around the globe better organize their thoughts and their days.

I am a paper addict. I am. I’ve relented somewhat and now use an iPad Pro for some of my note taking and other tasks, but there’s nothing like a well-crafted notebook and the feel of a pen scratching on paper. So, when I came across the Bullet Journal Method a few years ago, I was at first intrigued, then quickly hooked. It’s a simple method for planning your day and tracking thoughts and ideas. What I loved about it was its simplicity, and that it removed the pressure to “get it right” that many journaling or productivity methods impose.

The creator of the Bullet Journal Method is Ryder Carroll, and he’s on this episode of the show to help us understand a bit about how to use journaling to organize our lives and accomplish our goals. He’s released a book called The Bullet Journal Method, and we’ll be discussing how to better organize your days, and how to know when to launch a passion project into the world.

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I have been speaking to a lot of organizations lately, and whenever I have a speaking engagement, I always ask the leaders of the organization about the kinds of dynamics they are experiencing or problems they might be encountering.

One phrase that continues to come up over and over is "imposter syndrome". This is a psychological phenomenon that particularly affects people who have achieved some kind of success in their field, who then doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. Individuals with imposter syndrome may feel like they're not worthy of their achievements or that they've simply been lucky, or that they've fooled other people into thinking that they're more capable or more knowledgeable than they actually are.

On today's episode, we discuss a few sources of imposter syndrome and how to tackle them.

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What is the worst thing that you think somebody can call you? I think that one of the worst things, or at least one of the most painful things that somebody can call you is naive. When you say that someone's naive, what you mean is that they just don't understand, they don't get it in the same way or that they're Pollyanna.

They're overly optimistic, naively optimistic. And when somebody calls you naive, it can sting. And so the natural reaction of a lot of people is to go the opposite direction, which means to approach everything with skepticism or even worse snark and cynicism. But the problem is snark and cynicism are corrosive to the creative process, and they're certainly corrosive to our ability to collaborate with other people.

When we exhibit snark and cynicism, which by the way is the default position for a lot of people who don't want to be seen as naive, then it's destructive to our curiosity. Rather than asking questions about why something is the way it is, we immediately react against it.

So much of life is about your default, and if your default is towards snark and cynicism or even skepticism, then that often is a sign that you're operating from a position of self-defense rather than curiosity.

On today's episode, I share a few ideas for curbing snark and cynicism and recovering your creative passion and curiosity.

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Talent alone is not enough to guarantee that you'll make a living. Regardless of your chosen career, you have to figure out how to translate your skills into something marketable - something others will pay you for.

Is it possible to make a good living making art you love? Lisa Congdon says "YES!", and she shares specific strategies for how to do so in her book Art, Inc.

Over the summer, we are re-visiting the podcast archives, dating back to 2005. This interview originally with Lisa Congdon originally released in August, 2014.

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Great work isn’t enough on its own. Whether you lead, design, write, strategize, or sell, if you want your idea to be heard, you have to go the extra mile to ensure that it’s framed to resonate with the right audience. In this episode, you'll learn some strategies for ensuring that your idea is best positioned to succeed with the people you are trying to reach.

The concepts and strategies in this episode are from my book Louder Than Words.

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Gravity affects every aspect of our physical being, but there’s a psychological force just as powerful―yet almost nobody has heard of it. It’s responsible for bringing groups of people together and pulling them apart, making certain goals attractive to some and not to others, and fueling cycles of anxiety and conflict.

In his new book Wanting, Luke Burgis draws on the work of French polymath René Girard to bring this hidden force to light and reveals how it shapes our lives and societies.

In this interview, we discuss the nature of mimetic desire, how it affects everything from creating to collaboration, and how we can discover what we truly want as creative pros.

Replay from 2021

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It seems like every week someone is predicting the disruption and ultimate death of an entire industry due to technological advancement. With the advent of AI, many are predicting that the creative industries will be disrupted in ways that will leave creative pros clamoring for work.

But, is that really true? Yes, disruption is real, but maybe we can learn from those who have experienced this kind of turmoil and apply their insights to the current marketplace.

Today’s guest is Don Donahue. Don’s background is in the music and entertainment business, and he’s lived through multiple industry disruptions. On today’s episode, he shares some wisdom about how we can learn to adapt and thrive in the face of disruption. 

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At some point in your career, you’ve probably had “that boss”. You know… the one who’s either obnoxiously aggressive and issues orders from on-high like the ruler of a small kingdom, or the one who wants so desperately to be liked that they refuse to speak the uncomfortable truth. Maybe – just maybe – you’ve even been guilty of being that boss from time to time.

Kim Scott is here to help. She’s the author of Radical Candor, and on today’s show she will show you how to avoid Ruinous Empathy, Obnoxious Aggression, and Manipulative Insincerity and create a culture that thrives.

This episode is a replay from 2017.

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I was saddened to hear today of the passing of Rodriguez, the singer-songwriter who was the subject of the documentary Searching For Sugar Man. I wrote about his story in my book Die Empty, and on today's episode I share his amazing journey and the importance of embracing invisible impact.

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It's been almost ten years since my book Die Empty released, and in the decade since that phrase has often been misunderstood and mis-applied to mean "you're not hustling enough!" or "collapse exhausted at the end of each day!" That couldn't be farther from the message of the book.

On today's episode, I re-visit some key principles from chapter one of Die Empty and how they can help each of us build a body of work that we can point to with satisfaction and pride.

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This week features three episodes from the summer of 2014. In the first section, we discuss the value of competition and how it can actually be your friend and help you become better at what you do.

In the second section, we discuss the importance of making decisions and committing to them. 

In the final section, I share a few principles for how to deal with bad ideas before they ruin a meeting or project. 

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You may or may not know that The Accidental Creative podcast has been releasing new episodes weekly since 2005 - that’s almost 18 years. And, some of my favorite episodes are now so old that they are no longer on the podcast feed and aren’t available any longer publicly. So, I thought that over the course of the summer I might go back a decade and resurrect some episodes from the summers of 2013 and 2014 and replay them here on the show.

Over the next few weeks, some of the episodes will feature past interviews or ideas that I was sharing with listeners in the early 2010’s, including some concepts that were fresh from my just-released book Die Empty, which came out in September 2013. (Yes, it’s been that long ago.)

So on today’s episode, I’m sharing an interview with Simon Sinek from 2014 about his book Leaders Eat Last. Many of you will know Simon from his book Start With Why and his TED talk that became one of the most-watched TED talks of all time. His follow-up Leaders Eat Last was an exploration of best leadership practices at some of the most effective organizations in the world.

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You've probably heard the advice that finishing is everything. However, we often overlook the importance of starting to the creative process. At times, what we start - even if left unfinished - can provide great material for our future creative endeavors.

Today's guest Becky Blades believes that we should start more than we can finish. She's the author of the book Start More Than You Can Finish: A Creative Permission Slip to Unleash Your Best Ideas.

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Everyone knows that following your passion is the key to success, right? Today's guest Naveen Jain offers an emphatic "no!" He believes the key to success in life is identifying an obsession and chasing it with everything you have, regardless of what it may cost.

Naveen is an entrepreneur driven to solve the world’s biggest challenges through innovation. He is the founder of several successful companies including Moon Express, Viome, Bluedot, TalentWise, Intelius, and InfoSpace. He has been awarded many honors for his entrepreneurial successes and leadership skills, including “Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year”, “Albert Einstein Technology Medal” for pioneers in technology, “Most creative person” by Fast Company, and “Humanitarian Innovation Award” at the United Nations among others.

In this episode, we discuss what he has learned through his decades of entrepreneurship and how we can each identify problems worth spending our lives on.

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Do you know what's really on your mind? Many people don't, because they never stop to sit with their thoughts and listen for the patterns. Writing every day has tremendous benefits to your creativity, your emotional state, and your career. On this episode, I share some tactical tips for establishing a daily writing practice, including how to commit the resources, choose your tools, and find the right format to help you turn information into wisdom.

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This week is a replay of a 2021 interview with Oliver Burkeman. His book is now available in paperback.

The average person lives about 4,000 weeks. How does that fact make you feel? More importantly, how might knowing that your time is so finite cause you to choose to live? 

There are so many tools at our disposal for time management, but often our efforts only make us feel more busy and overwhelmed.

Today’s guest is Oliver Burkeman. We discuss existential overwhelm, the efficiency trap, and how to reclaim just a little bit of sanity in a world obsessed with better, faster, more. His new book is the instant NY Times Best-seller 4,000 Weeks. 

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How do you handle feedback? We need other people in our lives to tell us the truth. If we immediately get defensive when they tell us something we don’t like, we will lose key allies in our journey of growth. If you manage a team, your trigger happy ways will eventually destroy the culture of your team. On this episode, we share a few strategies for dealing with feedback in a healthy way.

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This is a replay of an episode from 2022.

There continues to be a re-shuffling happening across many industries right now. Over the past few years, I've worked closely with a number of companies and have discovered that there are five key reasons why many creative people are choosing to leave their job, even when it's not in their own best interest to do so. On this episode, I share these five reasons, and offer some practical advice both for managers and creative pros about how to deal with them.

1. Overly Controlling Manager
2. No Clear Path of Advancement
3. Organization Is Out Over Its Skis
4. Toxic Culture
5. They Are Not Seen/Known.

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No one works in a vacuum. Each of us must learn to collaborate with others, communicate in a way that helps us make progress, and meld our aspirations together so that we are channeling toward the same goal. However, relationships are challenging at times and it can be difficult to know how to interact with someone when we just don’t naturally “click”. 

On this episode, Michael Bungay Stanier is here to help us understand how to have the best possible relationship with those around us. Michael is a multi-best-selling author and coach, and his new book is called How To Work With (Almost) Anyone. We discuss the critical conversations that lead to effective relationships in life and work. 

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What are the marks of a successful team, and how can leaders and collaborators work together more effectively and more consistently?

Today's guest is David Burkus, author of Best Team Ever! He shares the core elements that every great team needs in order to succeed.

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In this episode, I am thrilled to have back to the show legendary author, entrepreneur, and marketer Seth Godin. Seth is the author of 19 bestselling books, including his latest release, The Song Of Significance, a thought-provoking book about seeking significance both individually and as a team.

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It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we believe that we are running out of time. The ironic thing is, we are. Every single one of us has a finite number of days on this planet, and each new day means that we are getting closer to our inevitable end. I don’t say this to depress you, but rather to instill a sense of urgency about how you approach your days. 

If you knew you had exactly one year left on this planet, what would you do? And, why aren’t you doing it? To be fair, we have to behave responsibly and with an eye on the future, which is why I despise the advice “live each day like it’s your last.” However, as you consider your ideas, your dreams, your relationships, your ambitions, which of them are you deferring action on until a more convenient time? In truth, that time may never come. 

On this episode, I share a simple technique for pursuing your goals and making them happen.

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Have you ever wondered where great ideas come from, and whether it's possible to have them more consistently, especially when you need them most?

On The Accidental Creative podcast, host Todd Henry (author of six books including The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Herding Tigers, and Daily Creative) offers practical tips to help you navigate the challenges of the modern workplace

With a fresh episode every week featuring conversations with brilliant creative professionals, you'll learn how to stay on track, nurture your creativity and become a more effective problem solver.

So listen to The Accidental Creative podcast, wherever you get your podcasts or visit Todd henry.com to learn more.

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There are numerous forces impacting the world of work and we are watching the workplace shift beneath our feet in real time. While it’s anyone’s guess what the future of creative work may look like, we are starting to gain some sense of the landscape as marketplace experts deliver real-time research on trends and patterns. One such expert is with us today to help us understand where things may be headed.

Phil Simon is the author of the book The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping The Workforce and he’s here to share what his research reveals about how we will all be working in the coming decade.

Before that, I answer a listener question about how to get ideas heard in a workplace that often defers to those in power instead of following industry best practices. 

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While it’s certainly important to address conflicts and work to resolve them in a healthy way, it’s equally important to focus on the overall culture of your team and how it is trending.

Read the full essay here.

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The most creative and productive careers often emerge at the intersections of disciplines. It’s not a linear path, but a serendipitous collision of multiple areas of interest that create an opportunity. Some might even call it a “creative accident”, which is the reason for the name of this show. Such was the case with today’s guest Danielle Feinberg.

Danielle Feinberg began her career at Pixar Animation Studios in February 1997, and since then, she has worked on 14 of Pixar’s feature films. She cut her teeth on early films like A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc. and the Academy Award®-winning Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. Feinberg was the director of photography-lighting for the Academy Award®- winning features WALL•E, Brave, and Coco. Most recently she completed her work as the visual effects supervisor on Turning Red.

In this interview, we discuss how creativity and career emerge at the intersections, why it’s important to pursue awe in your life and work, and how Pixarnavigates the complexity of a long-arc project like a film.

Watch Danielle's TED talk.

Learn about the documentary about the making of Turning Red.

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When you think about innovation, you probably also think about disruption. Innovation in many people’s minds is about creating a better solution that makes an old one obsolete. This means that it’s inherently a competitive and finite thing - someone wins, and another person loses.

But what if we didn’t have to think of innovation in that way? What if innovation could be something other than disruptive? That’s what today’s guest Renee Mauborge argues is not only possible, but necessary. Renee is the co-author of which has sold millions of copies, and she’s back today to discuss her new book called Beyond Disruption. 

If you are interested in building a career or an organization based on building a body of work that benefits yourself, your community, your industry, and the world, you need to listen to what she has to say.

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It’s faulty thinking to evaluate past decisions based upon your present understanding. And, doing so can lead to worse decisions in the future. In this episode, I share an essay that I recently wrote about why we need to approach each decision with clarity of mind and refuse to allow retro-analysis paralysis to cloud our judgment.

Read more essays and listen to the podcast archives at ToddHenry.com.

My new book Daily Creative is available now.

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A few months ago, my friend Ben Beshear had me on his podcast Life, Money, and Living Well to discuss creativity, leading talented people, and finding purpose and mission in life. I really enjoyed our chat, and asked him if I might be able to release a part of it on the podcast. Today's episode features the first hour of our conversation. To hear the final part, where I discuss my views on retirement and productive passion, listen to the full episode here.

My new book Daily Creative is available now. It's a daily reader to help you stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy.

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When seeking advice, it's best to go to someone with a lot of experience. Today's guest has certainly earned his wisdom, and has compiled it into a new book of advice for anyone wanting to live a more meaningful life. Kevin Kelly is a renowned writer, futurist, and technology enthusiast. His career in technology and futurism began in the early 1980s when he became an editor at Whole Earth Review, a counterculture magazine focused on technology, ecology, and personal empowerment.

In 1993, he co-founded Wired Magazine, a publication that explores the intersection of technology, culture, and politics. He's authored several books, including The Inevitable and What Technology Wants.

Today he returns to the show to discuss his latest book Excellent Advice For Living.

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It’s time to reclaim the profundity of the present moment. Each moment has meaning that, if ignored, will be lost forever. Circumstances will never again combine in this unique way to form this moment, right here, right now. There are insights that you can never regain if you let them slip through your fingers.

Those who are able willing to do their own thinking and to take disciplined, strategic pauses even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty are much more likely to connect non-intuitive dots and synthesize larger patterns.

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Daily Creative is a daily reader that helps you be more effective as a creative pro. It's available now wherever books are sold or at DailyCreative.net.

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Do you have a framework for making decisions? How do you know which opportunities to take and which to pass on? Can someone take a look at your work - how you lead, write, talk, collaborate - and see what matters to you?

In my 2015 book Louder Than Words, I wrote about the value of having a personal manifesto (or team manifesto) that can guide your work and help you do work that is personally meaningful and uniquely valuable. It’s not supposed to be an in-depth playbook, but is more of a set of guiding principles by which you make decisions and invest yourself in your work. It helps you in three ways:

1. It reminds you of your core values, and what you're unwilling to compromise for short-term gain.
2. In a complex world, it gives you a simple set of rules by which to live.
3. It shows others what matters to you, and helps you be more consistent in how you approach your work.

I also realized when I released the book that I’d never made my own personal manifesto public.

So, on this episode I offer a few thoughts about how to craft your own manifesto, and I share the guiding principles that I use in life and work.

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If you are feeling uninspired, recognize that it could be due to feeding on the output of the Zeitgeist Blender. Don’t allow cultural sentiment to rob you of the joy of surprise and delight.

This is the podcast version of an essay from ToddHenry.com. You can read the full essay here.

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Each person has a unique form of genius to offer the world. It's the thing that you bring to the table that no one around you can bring because of your unique combination of passions, skills, and experiences.

On today's episode, Ozan Varol is here to discuss how each of us can awaken our unique genius and bring it to the world each day. Ozan's new book is called Awaken Your Genius.

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There are two parts to the tag that most of us wear: creative + professional.

"Creative" means that you get to use your skills to solve problems and create new value every day. "Professional" means that you do it for money, which means that sometimes you have to do what's expedient even when it's not your preferred path.

On this episode, I share three pieces of career advice that every creative pro should consider implementing in order to make their professional life more resilient. Then, we have Mark LePage (founder of EntreArchitect) to help us better understand the business side of creativity and ensure that we are managing both effectively.

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Throughout history, people have had to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities in order to thrive. However, the pace of change has been accelerating for the past century in an unprecedented way. And, as creative pros, we often feel the effects of the pace of change.

On today's interview, Dr. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman is here to discuss how we can prepare ourselves for what is to come. As she says in the episode, "Since hunting and gathering, we've had to adapt the same neural hardware that's designed for foraging. And in each of those adaptations, whether it's agriculture or industrialization, there are parts of the old machinery that work, and there are parts that are a mismatch." Today's episode helps us identify those mismatches and how we can prepare for what's next.

Dr. Kellerman's new book is called Tomorrowmind.

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Today we're talking about a topic that affects many high-achieving individuals: imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as frauds.

Now, to be clear there is a difference between imposter syndrome and self-awareness. Self-awareness is the recognition that your skill level may not be sufficient for the task at hand. For example, while I have some experience leading designers, I would never take on a project that requires me to design a campaign for a major brand. That's not imposter syndrome, it's wisdom. However, fear often comes disguised as wisdom also, and it can show up in the form of imposter syndrome. This is when you perpetually feel like a fraud, or you become paralyzed when you are called upon to perform a task. You may even turn down opportunities you are perfectly well suited for because you fear that you will be "found out". 

On this episode I offer three key strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome in life and work.

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James Cameron is a famous filmmaker known for his visionary approach and use of cutting-edge technology in cinema. Recently, we were both speakers at Festival de las Ideas in Puebla, Mexico, where he spoke about creativity and the creative process. On this episode, I share three big ideas that I drew from his speech that we can each apply to our work as creative professionals.

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What separates high achievers from everyone else? And perhaps more importantly for those who lead a team, how can you create an environment in which high achievers can thrive?

On this episode Robert Glazer is here to share core principles from his new book Elevate Your Team. We discuss the four core capacities that high achieving people and teams exhibit, and some practices and disciplines that we can implement as leaders to help us position ourselves and our teams to thrive.

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Started From The Bottom: Success can mean a lot of things -- money, fame, family...even just making it to tomorrow. For every kind of success, there are those born close to it, and those who strive to reach the top. On Started From the Bottom, Justin Richmond interviews people with humble origins who scaled the summit of success. How did they beat the odds? Hear their stories in their own words -- from media firebrand Charlamagne Tha God, to personal finance guru Suze Orman. Listen to Started From the Bottom, wherever you get your podcasts.

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What do you do when you encounter a challenging problem that seems to have no immediate solution? Rather than simply pushing forward on the work in a traditional way, you might try to leverage a "workaround", or a less-direct method of solving the problem. Paulo Savaget has studied the tactics of many innovative organizations and has determined that there are four key workarounds that they often employ:

1. The Piggyback
2. The Loophole
3. The Roundabout
4. The Next Best

On this episode, he shares a little about each of these tactics and how we can employ them each day as leaders and creative pros as we discuss the new book The Four Workarounds.

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The stories you believe shape your everyday behavior, including your collaboration and your ability to generate new ideas. Have you ever paused to consider the stories that are actually playing in your head?

In this episode, Michael Hyatt shares insights about how your mindset affects your leadership, your intuition, and even your ability to stay physically healthy.

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It's tempting to want everything to line up before you're willing to commit to a project or opportunity. However, most of the time the valuable opportunities are those for which you may not yet feel fully prepared.

In this episode, I share an experience from this week and why I chose to say "yes", then figure it out later. Great opportunities rarely arrive in safe, comfortable packages.

Then, I interview Jonah Markowitz, who was the production designer on the new Showtime series George and Tammy. We discuss his process, what it took to bring over a hundred sets to life, and his advice for leaders who have to navigate complexity while navigating a large, multi-talented team.

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You can develop your skills and experience, but without the proper mindset it can be difficult to accomplish your goals. On this episode, we discuss the core reasons why mindset is so important to creativity, leadership, and overall health.

Then, we interview actor and author Anjali Bhimani about her book I Am Fun Size, her career, and how to develop a resilient mindset as an artist.

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Most of us need good ideas consistently in order to do our work. Whatever your role, it's likely that it depends on your ability to solve problems consistently under pressure. But, where do those ideas come from?

On today's show, I share a few ideas about the nature of emergent ideas - or what I call slowmergence. I share three questions that you should ask with any project, and three practices that will help you recognize ideas when they arrive.

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There are some natural tensions that creative pros must wrestle with in order to remain effective. One that I wrote about in The Accidental Creative is what I call the process vs. product tension, which describes the dynamic of compromising the process in order to pre-maturely shape the product to match pre-defined expectations. Instead, we must embrace the process, ask good questions, and pursue the problem. On the first part of this episode, I share some thoughts about how to embrace process.

Today's interview features Uri Levine, founder of Waze and author of the new book Fall In Love With The Problem, Not The Solution. He shares how entprepreneurs and creative pros can embrace process in their pursuit of important problems rather than starting with a product and trying to make it fit the market.

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There are many things a good leader or collaborator does to help their team gain focus, stay motivated, and produce great work. However, there are also some very common mistakes that many leaders make that they don't even know are killing their team's ability to engage with their work. This is especially true when doing creative work, because it requires tremendous trust and an ability to take risks that could be costly to correct later.

The better you are at setting good rails for your team, the more they will feel freedom to bring their best ideas and work to the table.

1. Failing to define the (actual) problem
2. Judging an idea on its presentation, not its merits
3. Doing everything in groups

I hope you enjoy the episode. Please let me know your thoughts.

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I don’t like to say “no.” I think it’s partly because I tend to gravitate toward possibility rather than pragmatics. But that tendency to always look for new solutions has at times significantly hamstrung my creative process and has, in the past, seriously affected my ability to creatively lead teams.

One of the most important disciplines that any of us can learn, especially if we create for a living, is to close doors.

“What if?” is a fantastic question to ask early in the process, and can even help clarify our work as we progress through a project, but as we enter the middle and later stages of our work we must be disciplined enough to close doors on decisions that have already been made.

The unfortunate result of not closing doors is that we can (1) be in perpetual brainstorm mode and unable to complete great work, (2) be constantly second-guessing past decisions and trying to correct perceived (or feared) mistakes or (3) be confusing in our articulation of creative strategy to our team or co-workers.

It’s simple to close doors, but requires resolve. We have to be willing to say “no” to ideas that could potentially improve the work but could also do a lot of damage or be unfeasible. We also have to check our ego at the door, because a lot of these later-stage ideas offer us the chance to swoop in and appear heroic in crunch time. But it’s not worth the fire drill mindset that becomes engrained when we are constantly shifting strategy, especially within a creative team setting.

Closing doors is critical in client work. It’s important to guide the client through the decisions that need to be made, then to let them know that we’re navigating forward and that old doors are no longer available unless the scope of the project changes. To do anything less is to create an unpredictable environment for your team and to provide less than the best for your clients.

We need to honor the process and recognize that perpetual brainstorming mode on a specific project is not only ineffective, but can be significantly damaging to the climate on our teams. We need to get comfortable with making decisions and closing doors. At least, I know I do. It’s a work in progress.

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Complexity can creep into your life and process largely unnoticed. Before long, you are attempting to leap hurdles and navigate around pointlessly complex obstacles just in order to do your work.

On this episode, we discuss a few areas where you can seek simplicity in 2023 and some strategies for doing so:

1. Your process and workflow
2. Your relationships and leadership
3. Your space and tools

Seek simplicity on the other side of complexity.

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So much conflict and stress in organizational life, or just in life in general, is the result of missed or conflicting expectations. Sometimes, this is because expectations are not clearly articulated and there is a vacuum that needs to be filled. Everyone is living out their own assumptions, which means that “ghost rules”, or invisible and possibly unfounded narratives, emerge. Team members may resent one another and be completely unable to articulate why. It’s just some deep sense that they are being robbed in some capacity. In reality, it’s just that there are unmet expectations that may have never even been spoken.

These unmet expectations aren’t limited to team life. They can also affect you personally. Today, I want to discuss a few ways in which our expectations can impact us heading into 2023 and how we can act to reduce miscommunication and misunderstandings for ourselves, our co-workers, and the teams that we lead.

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You probably need new ideas consistently in order to do your job. Where do they come from? If you're like many people, you push pixels, midlessly scroll, or stare at the problem or just hope that you have a breakthrough before time runs out.

What if there's a better way?

On this episode, I share a technique I use called "nonsense notebooks". I use freewriting and review to connect patterns that I often miss because I'm simply too busy.

Then, I interview Mike Rohde on the 10th anniversary of his book The Sketchnote Handbook to discuss how sketching ideas can lead to breakthroughs, even if you're not an artist.

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Download a packet to help you answer all twelve questions in this series at ToddHenry.com/2023questions.

If you don't set markers for growth you will drift. How will you be different this time next year? In this final episode of our three part series, I offer up four questions to ask as you make plans for the coming year.

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Download the packet to help you follow along with these questions at ToddHenry.com/2023questions.

"The unexamined life is not worth living" is a saying attributed to Socrates. If you fail to understand why things happened the way they did, you are doomed to drift.

In this episode, I offer four questions to ask as you look back at the past year that will help you understand what happened and why and will also help you as you make plans for 2023.

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To get a worksheet for this mini-series, visit ToddHenry.com/2023questions.

Now's the time when many people begin to make plans for the coming year. However, just setting big, indiscriminate goals without first assessing how things currently are is a recipe for failure.

This week, I'm releasing three shorter episodes to help you prepare for 2023. In today's episode, I offer up four questions to help you self-assess and develop self-awareness with regard to your ambitions and current situation. Over the next two mini-episodes, I'll share eight additional questions to help you plan for the coming year.

Make sure you follow the show in order to get each episode as it's released.

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In aerodynamics, when an airplane has structural integrity it means that all of the parts are working together as a whole. It is intact. If there is a violation of that structural integrity, you are likely to experience a problem.

Similarly, integrity in our lives and leadership means that all of our individual parts are integrated, or intact and whole. What is on the inside is what's on the outside. Integrity is critical both for effective leadership and for valuable creativity. Your intuition functions best when you are intact.

Today's guest, Dr. Martha Beck, is a NY Times Best-selling author of many books. She holds three Harvard degrees in social science, and Oprah Winfrey has called her "one of the smartest women I know." Her newest book is called The Way Of Integrity, and on this episode we discuss how the pursuit of integrity affects life, leadership, and your body of work.

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In order to confront uncertainty every day, creative pros need to muster the ability to be clear even when they are not positive their idea is the right one. This requires bravery, because creative risk means the potential of failure.

How do we as pros, as leaders, and as organizations foster an environment within which bravery is likely to occur? In this recording from my STORY Conference talk, I share a few qualities that lead to creative courage and a few tactical things we can do to ensure we are positioned to act in the face of our doubts.

At the beginning of the episode, I also share some strategies for tackling your 2023 goals with more precision.

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On this episode, I answer several questions sent in by listeners.1. Want to ask a question? If we use it I'll send you a Daily Creative t-shirt. Ask your questionHere's what we cover on today's episode:

1. How do teams better take into account the execution of an idea at the moment when that idea is being selected?
2. What principles from my books should teachers (or parents of children) focus on implementing with kids?
3. What year-end rituals do I recommend for prepping for a great new year?
4. Are generalists and specialists both valuable in the workplace?
5. What should you do when you're thinking about giving up on a project or idea?
6. How do you motivate people who aren't being paid for the work they do, but you still need to lead them?

A few resources mentioned in this episode:* My 2023 4 Questions guide * Emily Wapnick's talk on Multipotentialites * Range (book) * The Dip (book) * Austin Kleon's 100 Things post * Readwise

Also, my new book Daily Creative is available now. Mentioned in this episode:

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What does it take to lead talented, creative people effectively? This is an important question to all of us because either (a) we are in the position where we have to lead others every day and what they need from us is often a mystery, or (b) we are being led by someone and we really REALLY wish they understood us better.

As you may know, I wrote a book about this topic a few years ago called Herding Tigers. My ambition in writing that book was to be as direct and practical as I possibly could be about the realities of creative leadership. I dislike theory and I crave practical wisdom.

That’s why I invited today’s guest on the show - there are few people with more practical creative leadership experience than Adam Morgan. Adam is an Executive Creative Director at Adobe, with experience in creativity, strategy, and storytelling for 24 years. In 2020, AdWeek named him one of the “Creative 100”—the top inspiring creative minds in marketing, media, and culture—in the world. He’s the author of the book, “Sorry Spock, Emotion Drives Business,” that proves the value of creativity and design with hard science. He’s a keynote speaker at conferences and events on the topics of creative leadership and content creation. And the host of the podcast, Real Creative Leadership, that offers inspiration and guidance on the day-to-day job of being a creative leader.

In this episode, Adam and I have a free flowing conversation about the nature of leading teams in this present reality.

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I was nine years old when my grandfather died. I still remember the funeral, not really understanding exactly what was happening, but knowing that I wasn’t going to get the chance ever again to throw football with, watch cartoons with, or make something cool with him ever again. Ever. That’s a tough concept for a nine year old to grasp.

After the funeral, we all filed to our cars for the procession to the cemetery. It seemed like we were barely creeping along, through our small town, around a corner, and up a hill to make our way out to the small country church where he was to be buried. As we turned the corner I saw – in the distance – some curious activity on the side of the road. It looked like a crowd had gathered to watch a parade, but it wasn’t a holiday. At the time it seemed like hundreds of people, though I now realize it was probably more like a few dozen. As we neared the crowd, my parents had difficulty containing their emotion. I noticed that many of the people gathered on the side of the road had removed their hats and were holding them over their heart. Others were simply standing at attention, paying one final tribute to my grandfather.

After we passed the crowd, I asked my father “Dad, who were those people?”

My father replied, “That was Pennington Bakery, son. Your Grandpa worked there every day for thirty years. He was the hardest worker I’ve ever known.”

My grandfather didn’t have a college education. When he graduated from high school in 1945 he immediately enlisted in the Navy and was sent to the Pacific. Upon returning he married my grandmother, and after a few other jobs, landed at the bakery. He wasn’t a formally trained electrician, yet according to my father he wired the entire bakery and did many things that would make engineers scratch their heads in wonder. (And probably things that he couldn’t get away with today!)

Everyone who knew him would testify that he set the bar for excellence. He demanded a lot of others, and of himself. He poured himself fully into whatever he was doing, whether that meant his job, his family, or as a volunteer coach of many sports teams over the course of his life. Even as he was ravaged with late-stage cancer, he never complained as he joyfully helped me complete a woodworking project and went about life as usual. His final concerns, as expressed to my father, were not about himself or the pain he was experiencing, but about ensuring that his many outstanding commitments to others would be covered. My grandfather’s grave marker is very simple, with no fancy epitaphs. If you’d have asked him what he wanted on his tombstone, he would have laughed at you.

His legacy wasn’t his work at the bakery, and wasn’t his service in the navy, or any of the other things he dedicated his life to.

His legacy was people.

My children never met my grandfather, yet in many ways they see him daily. I was deeply shaped and informed by his patience, his work ethic, and his entrepreneurial drive. They see him in me. I am part of his legacy.

So what does this mean to us?Leadership and legacy are not just what you do, but also how you do it. It will be determined by a series of choices you make over your life about how to spend this moment – here, and now. The challenging thing is that each moment feels like a throwaway, because another one follows closely on its heels. How you choose to engage here and now speaks more to your character than whatever residual stuff you leave in your trail.

Rather than asking “what do I want on my tombstone?”, which is nothing but a cold, dead piece of stone, ask yourself “who will gather by the road just to catch a glimpse as my hearse passes by?”

Who will you impact so deeply that they will continue your work even after you are gone?

Who will you...

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Time is the currency of productivity. How we spend it is - in effect - how we spend our lives. But often we can allow time to simply slip through our fingers and find that no matter how hard we may work, it feels like we’re simply falling behind. It’s almost like we’re running on a treadmill that someone occasionally comes and moves slightly closer to our objectives, but we never seem to arrive.

Today’s show is all about leveraging time effectively. In the first part, I’m going to share why some common advice we hear is not entirely accurate.

In today’s interview, we have return guest and best-selling author Laura Vanderkam. Laura’s work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, City Journal, Fortune, and Fast Company. Her new book is called Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters, and it offers specific strategies for carving space for what’s most important.

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Some of the most effective ideas are those that solve a problem you are personally experiencing. If you have a need, it’s likely others have the same need as well. But often, we gloss over those moments of insight because it seems too daunting to act, or maybe we assume that someone else is probably working on it anyway.

But, what if they’re not? What if your idea is truly an opportunity, if you’re willing to do something about it?

Today’s guest didn’t just let his idea sit on a shelf. Instead, he acted and founded a company that has now grown into a multi-billion dollar company. His name is Mike Evans, and on today’s show he shares how an unfortunate encounter with an armpit on a bus ride home from work turned into the motivation to found the company Grubhub.

Mike’s new book about his entrepreneurial journey is called Hangry, and is available now. 

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If you were to choose just one metric by which to measure your success, what would it be? Revenue? Well, we all know that revenue can be a tricky KPI because it doesn’t say anything about profitability. If I make a million dollars while spending two million, it doesn’t really mean much. Product shipped? Again, this doesn’t speak to the efficiency of my operation. Today’s guest argues that for any organization, there’s only one metric that truly matters. It’s what he calls Idea Flow. His name is Jeremy Utley. As the Director of Executive Education at Stanford's renowned d.school, his courses have been experienced by nearly a million students of innovation worldwide. On today’s show, he shares why Idea Flow is the one thing you should be paying attention to in your organization.  Mentioned in this episode: Please Support This Episode's Sponsors: Indeed: Indeed.com/creative Athletic Greens: AthleticGreens.com/Accidental Decko: GetDecko.com

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The stats on the amount of information we encounter each day are staggering. And, the effects on adult humans are substantial. Researchers estimate that the adult attention span has decreased by about 12 minutes in the past decade. You have an average of 70,000 thoughts in a day. According to research cited in an article in Fast Company, in 2011 Americans took in five times as much information every day as they did in 1986—the equivalent of 174 newspapers. So, it’s no wonder that those of us who have to synthesize all of that and turn it into something valuable for our clients or organization might feel a little… overwhelmed. How could we possibly begin to organize all of that data? Today’s guest will help us begin to do that. His name is http://buildingasecondbrain.com (Tiago Forte) and he’s the author of the best-selling book Building a Second Brain. On today’s show, we discuss a practical way to collect, organize, and share information in a way that allows us to retain our sanity and become more effective as creative pros. Mentioned in this episode: Please support our sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Visit Shopify.com/accidentalcreative. This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. Visit AthleticGreens.com/accidental.

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The stats on the amount of information we encounter each day are staggering. And, the effects on adult humans are substantial. Researchers estimate that the adult attention span has decreased by about 12 minutes in the past decade. You have an average of 70,000 thoughts in a day. According to research cited in an article in Fast Company, in 2011 Americans took in five times as much information every day as they did in 1986—the equivalent of 174 newspapers. So, it’s no wonder that those of us who have to synthesize all of that and turn it into something valuable for our clients or organization might feel a little… overwhelmed. How could we possibly begin to organize all of that data? Today’s guest will help us begin to do that. His name is http://buildingasecondbrain.com (Tiago Forte) and he’s the author of the best-selling book Building a Second Brain. On today’s show, we discuss a practical way to collect, organize, and share information in a way that allows us to retain our sanity and become more effective as creative pros. Mentioned in this episode: Please support our sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Visit Shopify.com/accidentalcreative. This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. Visit AthleticGreens.com/accidental.

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Everyone can see success coming well in advance, right? Of course not. When you're in the fray, you're often just trying to hold things together and get through this project, this week, or this year. It's only in retrospect that success seems inevitable. On today's episode, I share an essay from the Leader List (sign up for free!) about Mick Jagger's assessment of the future success of the Rolling Stones and how it relates to our own creative work and leadership. Then, we have a fascinating conversation with Joey Cofone, founder of Baron Fig and author of the new book https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Creativity-Unlock-Originality-Creative/dp/1943623384/ (The Laws of Creativity). My new book http://dailycreative.net/book (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative

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Everyone can see success coming well in advance, right? Of course not. When you're in the fray, you're often just trying to hold things together and get through this project, this week, or this year. It's only in retrospect that success seems inevitable. On today's episode, I share an essay from the Leader List (sign up for free!) about Mick Jagger's assessment of the future success of the Rolling Stones and how it relates to our own creative work and leadership. Then, we have a fascinating conversation with Joey Cofone, founder of Baron Fig and author of the new book https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Creativity-Unlock-Originality-Creative/dp/1943623384/ (The Laws of Creativity). My new book http://dailycreative.net/book (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative

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We have heard the phrase "back to normal" often over the past year. But, is there really any such thing as normal? Now that we have had a taste of virtual and hybrid work, will we ever return to the way things were pre-2020? Today's guest is Mitch Joel. He's the author of several books, the host of the https://www.sixpixels.com/category/podcast/ (Six Pixels of Separation) podcast, and an acclaimed thought leader on the future of work. On this episode, we discuss where we have been, where we are, and what the future might hold for creative pros as we try to reconcile remote work with all of its possible tradeoffs. My book http://dailycreative.net (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Mentioned in this episode: Please support our sponsors Athletic Greens: Visit AthleticGreens.com/accidental Skillshare: Visit Skillshare.com/AC

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How you manage your time is often a key indicator of your success or failure. However, many of us think about time in terms of efficiency rather than effectiveness. What if a slight tweak in how we think about our time might be all we need in order to drastically improve our productivity and our sense of well-being? Today's guest is Jenny Blake. Her new book Free Time offers strategies for leveraging time for deeper productivity, a better sense of purpose and flow, and a healthier overall life. Learn more about Jenny at ItsFreeTime.com. My book http://dailycreativebook.com (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Visit Bambee.com and type "Accidental" in the where did you hear from us section. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative to start hiring today.

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How you manage your time is often a key indicator of your success or failure. However, many of us think about time in terms of efficiency rather than effectiveness. What if a slight tweak in how we think about our time might be all we need in order to drastically improve our productivity and our sense of well-being? Today's guest is Jenny Blake. Her new book Free Time offers strategies for leveraging time for deeper productivity, a better sense of purpose and flow, and a healthier overall life. Learn more about Jenny at ItsFreeTime.com. My book http://dailycreativebook.com (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Visit Bambee.com and type "Accidental" in the where did you hear from us section. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative to start hiring today.

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What makes a great team... great? This is a question that many leaders wrestle with, and the complexity of the problem often causes them to settle for quick and easy solutions rather than really instilling a culture of excellence. In this interview, John U. Bacon shares his experience coaching the worst high school hockey team in the US and helping them become one of the best. He shares several principles that he applied or learned in the midst of his coaching experience, and how they apply to our own leadership and collaborations. John U. Bacon's book is called Let Them Lead. Todd Henry's new book http://dailycreativebook.com (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Visit Shopify.com/accidentalcreative This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. Visit AthleticGreens.com/accidental This episode is sponsored by ConversionCopywriting.Com by Copy Hackers.

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What makes a great team... great? This is a question that many leaders wrestle with, and the complexity of the problem often causes them to settle for quick and easy solutions rather than really instilling a culture of excellence. In this interview, John U. Bacon shares his experience coaching the worst high school hockey team in the US and helping them become one of the best. He shares several principles that he applied or learned in the midst of his coaching experience, and how they apply to our own leadership and collaborations. John U. Bacon's book is called Let Them Lead. Todd Henry's new book http://dailycreativebook.com (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Mentioned in this episode: This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Visit Shopify.com/accidentalcreative This episode is sponsored by Athletic Greens. Visit AthleticGreens.com/accidental This episode is sponsored by ConversionCopywriting.Com by Copy Hackers.

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If you want to do your best creative work, you must learn to protect your "idea factory". This is the source of your deepest insights and value. A few years ago, I came across the Walt Disney business model from 1957. I liked it so much that I found a copy, framed it, and put it on my wall. The reason that I love this business model so much is because everything about it centers around the creative output of the film studio. I have taken to calling this the "idea factory", because I think that's the most appropriate phrase for it. Walt Disney recognized that all of the value that the company creates ultimately came down to its ability to protect its idea factory. On today's show, we're going to talk about some ways that you identify and protect your own idea factory. Mentioned in this episode: Please support our sponsors: This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative.

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My new book http://dailycreative.net/ (Daily Creative) is available now wherever books are sold. Today's guest is http://sweetwoodcreative.com/ (Pat Hazell). Pat is the Chief Creative Officer at Sweetwood Creative and the host of the Creativity in Captivity podcast, where I was a recent https://link.chtbl.com/CICToddHenry (guest). Showtime declared Pat one of the five funniest people in America. His 25 years of experience as a writer, producer, and director have made them a go-to guy for new American theater. Pat is one of the original writers for Seinfeld, a Tonight Show veteran, and he's a critically acclaimed playwright and contributing commentator to NPR. On today's show, we talk about the creative process, where good ideas come from, and how to decide if an idea is truly good especially when you're under pressure. This episode is sponsored by http://conversioncopywriting.com (ConversionCopywriting.com) This episode is sponsored by http://athleticgreens.com/accidental (Athletic Greens)

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There is no shortage of advice about how to handle the start of a project, or how to push through and finish one, but what about that grey area in-between? What about the challenges and problems we encounter in the space between? On this replay episode, https://www.themessymiddle.com/ (Scott Belsky) is back to share wisdom from his fantastic new book https://amzn.to/2xRkHWH (The Messy Middle) that will help you navigate the most challenging pitfalls of any creative endeavor. Mentioned in this episode: Today's Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Visit Skillshare.com/AC.

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My new book http://dailycreativebook.com (Daily Creative) releases in just one week! It's a daily reader for creative pros to help you stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy. If you pre-order 1 copy of the book before launch day on 9/6, and register at http://dailycreativebook.com (DailyCreativeBook.com), you'll get the audiobook for free. If you pre-order 2+ copies and register, you'll get a free year of Daily Creative PLUS, which includes receiving the daily essay and challenge as an audio podcast or email and access to our community meetups. Learn more or register your pre-order at http://dailycreativebook.com (DailyCreativeBook.com). We'll be back next week with a regular episode of the show. Thanks for listening!

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Daily Creative releases on September 6th! Pre-order now to receive the audiobook for free, or pre-order 2+ copies and get Daily Creative delivered each day as an email or podcast episode. Learn more or register your pre-order at http://dailycreativebook.com (DailyCreativeBook.com). On this episode, I share two entries from the book Daily Creative. First, we discuss the nature of uncomfortable questions and why we often avoid them. Then, we address the dynamic of unnecessary complexity and how we can weed it out of our life and systems. Mentioned in this episode: Indeed This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative.

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My new book http://dailycreativebook.com (Daily Creative) is available now! Pre-order and get special bonuses, only available through launch. What do you do first thing? Is there any intentionality about how to enter your day? For the past twenty years, I've engaged in the exact same morning routine, and it's been both a calibrator and a life saver in many ways. In this episode, I share the elements of my morning routine and offer some thoughts about how to craft your own.

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Some of what we think we know about relationships is actually... wrong. So many of the tried and true axioms that are passed along are simply not helpful. We need to better understand what the research truly says if we want to be better collaborators, better leaders, and better human beings. https://bakadesuyo.com (Eric Barker) is the best-selling author of a new book Plays Well With Others. In this episode, he shares some common misunderstandings about relationships and how we can each learn to be better at making them work. Mentioned in this episode: Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Visit Shopify.com/accidentalcreative.

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What if the thing you do is highly competitive? How do you get noticed? On this episode, https://www.instagram.com/amosjheller/ (Amos Heller) (touring bass player for Taylor Swift and many other artists) shares how he went from barista to touring bass player and some things he learned along the way that anyone can use to gain a foothold in a competitive industry. Mentioned in this episode: Bambee You run your business. Let Bambee run your HR. Go to Bambee.com/accidentalcreative for your free HR audit.

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Have you ever considered whether the work you’re doing today will still be around in five years? How about ten or twenty years? Many people don’t think strategically about how to create work that will resonate deeply for a long time to come. In this interview from 2017,  http://ryanholiday.net/ (Ryan Holiday) discusses his book http://amzn.to/2fLPxK6 (Perennial Seller) that examines work that lasts and how it is created and marketed. In the interview, we discuss not just how to make work that stands the test of time, but how to structure your life so that you have the margin you need to create proactively and not just reactively. Mentioned in this episode: Indeed With Indeed, businesses only pay for quality applications matching the sponsored job description. Visit Indeed.com/creative to start hiring now.

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I have been waiting for this announcement for over a year. Last Thursday I sent an announcement to all of our subscribers of 3 Things, my Sunday email that goes out each week with three creative sparks, that I've been working on a secret book during the pandemic. In fact, the book is about twice as long as any of my previous books and I wrote it in about a third of the time. It was quite a push. The main reason why I wrote this book is because I noticed that a lot of people around me - creative pros at all levels of their game - were struggling to stay engaged and focused during the pandemic. However, those who seemed to endure and even thrive in the midst of the uncertainty were those who had daily practices to sustain them. A phrase popped into my head: Talent may get you a seat at the table, but it's your daily practices that keep you in the game. What you do every day matters most. So my new book, Daily Creative, is designed to help you do just that. It features 366 daily essays covering everything from mindset to tools to creative sparks to leadership. It's designed to be your daily companion as a creative pro. In fact, one early reader told me "It's like having my own personal coach in the mornings." That's exactly what I was aiming for. Why are daily practices important? 1. They keep you micro-aligned. When you're doing complex, uncertain work, it's easy to drift. Just a few small deviations from your intended course seem like no big deal, but those deviations amplify over time and can carry you far from where you intended to end up. So, by doing a daily check-in on both your mindset and your practices, you ensure that you're at least making intentional decisions about your course. 2. They develop resilience. How do you increase your capacity? By doing hard things. By asking hard questions. By pushing beyond your comfort. Daily practices force you to do things you may not always feel like doing, but that will increase the likelihood you'll persist in the face of resistance. You train yourself to do hard things. 3. They refine your perspective and productive passion. You are smarter than you think. You know much more than you think. However, much of what you know is beneath the surface of your consciousness. It's on the level of intuition. When you're under pressure, you are likely to ignore those intuitive hunches because they're inconvenient. A daily practice forces you to slow down, listen to your thoughts, and be shaped by your intuition. So, even though the book doesn't release until September 6th, I'm asking you to pre-order it now. Pre-orders are a huge part of the early success of a book, which is why so many authors ask you for them. So, I've put together a bunch of pretty great bonuses as a thank you for those who pre-order. For example, you can get the audiobook version for free. Or, you can actually start reading the book RIGHT NOW by receiving it as a daily email. Learn how to get these bonuses at http://dailycreativebook.com (dailycreativebook.com). Mentioned in this episode: ConversionCopywriting.com Go to conversioncopywriting.com today. Grab a course, and take the next 7 days to try it. If you’re not a more convincing copywriter by the end of it, get a full refund. ConversionCopywriting.com.

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Everyone desires to make an impact through their work. But, there are some creative pros who seem to constantly separate themselves from their peers by delivering greater value. How can you become one of these impact players? Today's guest is Liz Wiseman. She's the best-selling author of several books, including https://amzn.to/3RADrB8 (Impact Players: How to Take The Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact). Mentioned in this episode: ConversionCopywriting.com Go to conversioncopywriting.com today. Grab a course, and take the next 7 days to try it. If you’re not a more convincing copywriter by the end of it, get a full refund. ConversionCopywriting.com.

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Have you ever considered launching out into your own business? If so, today is just for you. We have on the show http://jeffreyshaw.com/ (Jeffrey Shaw), author of The Self-Employed Life. We discuss everything from how to know when to make the leap to how to sustain yourself each day as a self-employed entrepreneur. This episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify).

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As I mentioned a few episodes ago, if I had to choose one gift to impart upon every person I meet – one master key that unlocks their potential – it would be bravery. We need radical bravery in our workplaces, our schools, our neighborhoods, and – God help us – in our politics. If more people committed to making brave choices daily, we would see stronger, more effective teams, less corruption, less unhealthy conflict, and more progress on the societal issues that truly matter. Organizations need leaders committed to cultivating a culture of bravery, and who themselves are making brave choices in the face of uncertainty. The marketplace needs more business owners who are willing to step up and do the right thing for their employees and their communities, even at the risk of personal cost. And, society needs more people to cultivate brave, empathetic relationships with people who think differently from them. More than almost any other place, our workplaces need brave leaders. We need people who are committed to standing in the gap, protecting their people, and fighting for the mission of the organization even at personal expense.  Here are a few principles that brave leaders abide by: Brave leaders assume accountability for their actions. Many leaders revel in the glory that comes with success, but brave leaders are also willing to put themselves on the line and be accountable when their actions fail. Many are familiar with Dwight Eisenhower’s letter to the Allied troops on the eve of the D-Day invasion in June 1944. It begins, “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.” Inspiring leadership, for sure. However, fewer people are aware that Eisenhower wrote a second letter, only to be delivered in the event of an unsuccessful landing. “Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.” Brave leaders are willing to accept responsibility for their actions, including their failures. Are you avoiding accountability for your actions, or pointing fingers at others when you fall short? Brave leaders have the uncomfortable conversation.​ It’s far easier to avoid difficult chats with direct reports, but brave leaders recognize that it’s more important to be effective than to be liked. It’s never comfortable to discuss performance issues, to deliver uncomfortable news, or to challenge someone’s attitude, but these are the kinds of conversations that brave leaders (cautiously and wisely) step into because they know that their position demands it. Is there an uncomfortable conversation you need to have, but have been avoiding?  Brave leaders speak truth to power. ​As a leader, you must be willing to defend important principles when you perceive they are being “ground up” in the organizational gears. Cowards “go with the flow”, especially when  speaking up might mean losing their organizational standing, but brave leaders are willing to abide by their principles even at personal cost. As my friend riCardo Crespo often says, “you can’t lie to the person in the mirror.” Brave leaders can look themselves in the face every day knowing that they are living out their principles and standing up for what they believe to be proper and just. What principles are you willing to defend, even if it affects your reputation or position? Brave leaders put their resources where their mouth is. ​Cowards say bold things, but are always hedging their bets. Brave leaders are willing to put themselves on the line by resourcing the initiatives they believe to be best for the organization and the people it serves. If you aren’t putting resources behind

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There are two distinct walls that we encounter in the creative process. The first is what Steven Pressfield calls Resistance. It's the barrier that keeps us from getting started with our most challenging work. But, there is also a second wall. It's the one we hit when we've achieved a little momentum, and we're tempted to quit. We must learn to push through this wall in order to consistently produce our best creative work. In this episode, we share a few strategies for pushing through the second wall. This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's been a long year, and many creative pros are experiencing some level of creative burnout. It's taken everything we have to deliver on expectations over the past year, and as we now return to a sense of "normal", the uncertainty and expectations are likely to rise even more. On this episode, I offer six tips for dealing with those moments when you feel overwhelmed and burned out.  1. Pause and organize 2. Clear the decks 3. Re-prioritize 4. Time block 5. Care physically 6. Re-root in your productive passion Support the show! Get ad-free episodes and access to the full archives of hundreds of additional episodes at http://acpremium.me/ (acpremium.me). This episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Technology is an extension of your capacity to accomplish your will. So, it gives you a “longer lever” when you want to move big rocks. However, we are finding that technology is encroaching upon us in ways we couldn’t have anticipated ten years ago. It’s more difficult to find the space necessary to do the important, creative work we’re tasked with. Today’s guest is http://calnewport.com/ (Cal Newport). His 2019 book https://amzn.to/2MLxDDE (Digital Minimalism) challenged all of us with tips for dealing with technological encroachment. Today's episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In the creative process, one of the silent killers is expectation escalation. It’s very important that we have a healthy understanding of our abilities and developmental opportunities, but for some of us, myself included, our expectations of ourselves and our work is our greatest competitor to full, free creativity. In his work On Intelligence, Jeff Hawkins writes of a phenomenon in the mind called the “invariant representation”. This is a mental construct that represents the ultimate form of whatever subject we are considering. In other words, and this is greatly simplified, the ultimate chair, table, lamp, etc., all exist in our mind in some form and are used to compare all of our experiences to determine what we are seeing and experiencing. The same thing happens with our art. We create mental constructs, or invariant representations, of what great work would look like, and often these are so high and perfect that it would be nearly impossible to achieve them. When we do this, we not only limit ourselves creatively, we also lose all sense of awe and wonder in the creative process. Creativity is about constant discovery. It’s the process of continually opening wrapped packages to discover what’s inside. Yes, it is work, but the work is often lost in obsessive and focused discovery. When we fall prey to the silent killer of expectations, we are much like a kid opening a present on their birthday, certain that there’s a cool video game inside the box, only to find socks or a lame rugby shirt. In that moment, all momentum is lost, and for us, all creative momentum goes away in favor of the practical effort required to get our project to match our invariant representation. We can pick up unhealthy expectations from three unique sources, and each requires its own remedy: 1. Our heroes. Many of us began making art in whatever form because we were inspired by others to do so. In other words, we experienced the art of someone great - someone who had been pursuing the path to uniqueness and found their voice - and we were inspired to begin along the same path. When we did, we started off by imitating, (passive imitation phase of the uniqueness curve), and began to diverge and experiment with our own style. When we do this, however, the pressure we feel is often to force our experiment to fit the mold of something our heroes would do. To say it differently, our experimentation with new forms and styles begins to feel forced because it’s something new, and we are tempted or possibly feel pressure to bend our work to fit the mold of someone else. Or, worse than that, we think our work is no good because it doesn’t seem to measure up to some invisible standard we’ve set based upon our experience of other peoples’ work. In his incredible book, Free Play, Stephen Nachmanovich writes, “It’s great to sit on the shoulders of giants, but don’t let the giants sit on YOUR shoulders! There’s no room for their legs to dangle.” In other words, we can carry the weight of our heroes on our shoulders and feel the burden to carry their work forward in some way. When we do this, we are denying our own creative skills and passions and trying to live up to someone else’s standard. Be encouraged, though. Every accomplished artist at some point doubts their abilities. Every great artists wonders if they should be doing something else. The brilliant and prolific ones, however, don’t allow those thoughts to prevent the creative process from taking form. They continue to make in the midst of their doubts. Make in the midst of your doubts. Don’t allow others’ work to cause you to doubt your own. Know yourself and your abilities. Continue to push on and make with a confidence that what is there is valid simply because it’s there. 2. Our own work. When we’ve seen a degree of success in our work, it’s easy to allow our greatest achievements to pressure all of our future creative endeavors. Again, we come back to the principle of the invariant...

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We live in an age in which we often only see the best aspects of the lives of others. People share their successful destination, but not the (often difficult) journey they took to get there. This leaves many people thinking there's a missing "manual" that everyone else has but they somehow overlooked. Today's guest is Josh Peck. His new memoir Happy People Are Annoying shares his journey from child star to acting alongside some of the biggest names in the industry. We discuss why growing up as a child of a single mother impacted how he thought about business, great advice he received from Sir Ben Kingsley, and why love of craft is about more than just a feeling but is a deeper sense of connection to the work. This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Twyla Tharp once wrote “Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.” If we want to succeed, we need good habits. On the flip side, Warren Buffet said “Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken”, meaning that our bad habits often don’t seem that bad until they get to the point where we can no longer easily break them. So if habits are that important, understanding how they are formed, changed, and broken is crucial if we want to be prolific, brilliant, and healthy in life and in work. On today’s show we have a guest who can help us better understand the habits that form the foundation of our success or failure. His name is http://jamesclear.com/ (James Clear), and he’s released a book called https://amzn.to/2CKA8E1 (Atomic Habits), which is about the small changes we can make in our daily life to create big change on the other side. It’s a guidebook to healthier habits in life and work, and our conversation with James is coming up in just a moment. Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and more. This episode is sponsored by http://bamee.com/accidentalcreative (Bambee). This episode is sponsored by http://omsphoto.com (OMS Photo). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What is a “culture”? We hear that word tossed around in organizations all the time, but it’s often difficult to know what people even mean when they say that word. Worse, managers often talk about building or growing a great culture without a full understanding of what a great culture might even look like. Today’s guest is Daniel Coyle. He’s spent many years studying culture and has written a few best-selling books on the topic, including The Culture Code. On this episode, he shares his definition of culture and offers practical tips for building a great one from his new book https://amzn.to/3OVLxD5 (The Culture Playbook).   Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). You'll get ad-free episodes, access to the full archives, and more. This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What does it mean to be successful? I wrote in my book Die Empty that how you define greatness defines you, meaning that what you aspire to - even if you haven’t clearly articulated what it is - will shape how you go about your days and determine your priorities for you. If you don’t have a clear understanding of what success actually means to you, it’s possible to spend your entire life chasing vapor. Today’s guest is one of the most respected coaches on the planet. http://marshallgoldsmith.com (Dr. Marshall Goldsmith) is the author or editor of 41 books, which have sold over 2.5 million copies, been translated into 32 languages and become listed bestsellers in 12 countries. He is one of a select few executive advisors who has worked with over 200 major CEOs and their management teams. His new book is called https://amzn.to/3ER9iqZ (The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment), in which he discusses the patterns of people who grow a life of meaning and purpose. In this episode, we discuss the nature of an “earned life” and how to be more purposeful in life and work.  Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). You'll get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and more. This episode is sponsored by http://omsphoto.com (OMS Photo). This episode is sponsored by http://storyblocks.com/tac (Storyblocks). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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You have four finite resources to spend on behalf of what matters: focus, assets, time, and energy. How you allocate these four resources will often determine your success or failure. How intentional are you about making plans to spend them in the right places? On this episode, I share a simply 5-step method for planning your day that I've been using for years: Plan your week Review your goals and "main things" Plan your day Review your day Reveiw your week

Want to support the show and receive ad-free episodes? Subscribe to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). This episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you create, you likely aren’t doing it just for yourself. You are probably making things - whether a product, a message, a work of art, or even a strategy - for someone else. You create in order to get some kind of response from the person who experiences your work. An emotion. This is especially true in the world of brand strategy. Your brand is not what you say it is, it’s the impression - the emotion - it generates in the person experiencing it. On this episode, former Nike CMO Greg Hoffman shares how you can craft strong, compelling creative work that resonates deeply with your audience. His new book is called Emotion by Design.  Support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://novo.co/accidentalcreative (Novo). This episode is sponsored by http://zocdoc.com/accidentalcreative (ZocDoc). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's one thing to perform at your peak ability, but another thing altogeter to sustain that performance over time. How to peak performers continue to produce great work over long periods of time? Today's guest, http://alansteinjr.com (Alan Stein, Jr.), is the author of the new book Sustain Your Game. In this conversation we discuss how top performers think about time and opportunity, and how they develop mental toughness. Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). This episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The words “love” and “work” are rarely used in the same sentence. Work is comprised of those tasks we have to do in order to make a living, while love is used to describe those activities driven by passion. But what if love and work don’t have to be mutually exclusive? What if we can discover what we love through our work, not in spite of it? Today’s guest is international best-selling author http://marcusbuckingham.com (Marcus Buckingham). He believes that love and work are not mutually exclusive, and that you can - in fact - do your best work when you understand what you love. We discuss why work is not just about a job, how to discover your “wyrd”, and why George Clooney’s sister doesn’t act.  Marcus Buckingham’s new book is called https://amzn.to/36MneWg (Love And Work). Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium).  This episode is sponsored by http://marpipe.com/accidental (Marpipe). This episode is sponsored by http://omsphoto.com (OMS Photo). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Whether you realize it or not, you are constantly sending signals to everyone around you. These signals tell others whether or not you are interested, whether or not you are interesting, whether you truly believe what you’re saying or if you’re just faking it, whether you’re confident or insecure, and whether or not they should hire or do business with you. Today’s guest, http://scienceofpeople.com (Vanessa Van Edwards), calls these signals “cues”, and she argues in her new https://amzn.to/3iqBo20 (book )of the same name that we can actually learn to identify them in others and even shape our own cues to better connect with co-workers and friends. In this episode, we discuss the role of charisma in life and work, and how cues affect our communication and effectiveness.  Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify). This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Ten years ago, http://austinkleon.com (Austin Kleon) released his book https://amzn.to/3JgUZO6 (Steal Like An Artist). Over the past decade, it's become a must-read classic for anyone wishing to produce great creative work. In celebration of the release of the 10-year Anniversatry edition of the book, we invited Austin back on the show to discuss what he's learned since the release of the book, how creative pros should respond to culture, why we all need editors, and the hidden dangers of success. Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://zocdoc.com/accidentalcreative (ZocDoc). This episode is sponsored by http://novo.co/accidentalcreative (Novo). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We are at this very moment in a season of transition. Philosophers call this "liminal space", from the Latin word "limen" which means "threshold". It's a season in which something is ending, but the next thing has not yet begun. Many creative pros feel like this describes the season we are all experiencing. The pandemic is ending, but the transition back to office has not yet occurred. Demand is creeping upward, but supply can't yet keep pace. The job market is shifting, but hasn't yet settled. What do you do when you're in this "liminal space"? On this episode, I share four key things that all of us can do right now to remain effective: Care for your rhythms Develop a skill Ignore the noise but mind the patterns Protect your optimism and sense of agency

This episode is sponsored by http://bambee.com/accidentalcreative (Bambee). This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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"The Great Resignation". That's what they're calling the re-shuffling that's happening across many industries right now. Over the past few years, I've worked closely with a number of companies and have discovered that there are five key reasons why many creative people are choosing to leave their job right now, even when it's not in their own best interest to do so. On this episode, I share these five reasons, and offer some practical advice both for managers and creative pros about how to deal with them. Overly Controlling Manager No Clear Path of Advancement Organization Is Out Over Its Skis Toxic Culture They Are Not Seen/Known

This episode is sponsored in part by http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare). This episode is sponsored in part by http://skillshare.com/tac (Storyblocks). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What do you do when you have a ton of important creative work to do, and are feeling stressed about your ability to get it done? My solution is to plan a "cave day", which is basically a block of time dedicated to doing deep work. On this episode, I share a few best practices for planning and executing a "cave day", then we interview Molly Sonteng, co-founder of http://caveday.org (CaveDay.org), about what she's learned from leading group work sessions. Why should you intentionally go "into the cave"? You have time dedicated to what matters most So much of our stress is not knowing when and how the work will get done You eliminate the possibility of the tyranny of the urgent You psychologically orient yourself toward your biggest priorities You perform better when your mind is able to connect dots Your creative intuition and your senses are honed when you are doing "deep work" You notice nuances that you overlook when you are distracted You channel your resources like a river

How to go "into the cave": Literally make your space like a cave Low lighting Immersive sound Sensory deprivation Have a cave-entering ritual Light a candle or play some music Re-affirm your objectives Set a time limit

Want to support the show? Please subscribe to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). You’ll receive ad-free and bonus episodes, daily episodes from The Daily Creative, and much more. Hire me to http://toddhenry.com/speaking (speak )or lead a http://toddhenry.com/speaking (workshop). This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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She calls herself a "creator and destroyer of worlds". Lisa Soper is a production designer and animator, whose most recent work is with James Gunn on the new HBO Max series Peacemaker. In this conversation we discuss her career path, why her process always begins with pencil and paper, and how she manages to bring spaces to life while managing the ideas and expectations of other creative pros on the set. Want to support the show? Please subscribe to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). You'll receive ad-free and bonus episodes, daily episodes from The Daily Creative, and much more. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. This episode is sponsored by http://zocdoc.com/accidentalcreative (ZocDoc). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What does the word "wonder" mean to you? If you want to experience more creative breakthroughs in life and work, cultivating a sense of awe and possibility is an absolute necessity. But where does wonder come from, and how can we experience more of it each day? Today's guest is Jeffrey Davis. His new book Tracking Wonder is about how to pursue wonder each day. Support the show! Want ad-free and bonus episodes? Please subscribe to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). This episode is sponsored by http://bambee.com/accidentalcreative (Bambee). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In the past decade, I've been a guest on hundreds of radio shows and podcasts, and occasionally I have such a good time I want to invite the host onto The Accidental Creative for a chat about creativity. Jay Clouse is the host of the https://www.creativeelements.fm/todd-henry/ (Creative Elements podcast) where he interviews creative pros about how they do what they do. In this episode, we discuss the nature of creating under pressure and how to carve a unique career path that is gratifying and valuable to others. Get ad-free and bonus episodes and more with http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare). This episode is sponsored by http://truebill.com/accidentalcreative (Truebill). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Have you ever noticed the little voice inside your head? What does it say to you, especially when you are doing your work? Sometimes that internal voice can turn against us and stand in the way of effectiveness. On this episode, Dr. Ethan Kross teaches about the nature of chatter and what we can do about it. His new book is called Chatter. Get ad-free and bonus episodes with http://acpremium.me/ (AC Premium).  This episode is sponsored by http://wix.com/ (Wix). This episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Why do some people seem to have a deep well of confidence when entering challenging moments, and others seem to shrink away from opportunity? More importantly, how can you develop the mindset habits that lead to improved clarity and confidence in moments that matter most? Today's guest is Dr. Nate Zinsser. He is a professor at West Point an the author of the new book The Confident Mind. In this episode, we discuss how confidence affects everything from creativity to collaboration and career choices. Get ad-free and bonus episodes with http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://wix.com (Wix). This episode is sponsored by http://shopify.com/accidentalcreative (Shopify). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It’s bound to happen sooner or later. No matter how skilled you are and no matter how well you’ve prepared, you’re inevitably going to find yourself stuck on a tough problem without a clear path forward. It’s tempting in these circumstances to keep your nose down and continue cranking on the problem. The problem with this method is that you may be digging yourself deeper into an existing rut. Sometimes it’s valuable to have a set of questions at the ready to help you reframe, shift, or view the problem through a different window. Below is a set of questions that have been used in various situations to jog new creative thoughts about stubborn problems. The questions can be used on your own but are especially valuable in the context of a team. We have to be willing to immerse ourselves in the process to get to the deeply valuable ideas that reside just on the other side of stasis. Choose a project you’re stuck on, and ask these questions: Is an assumption in the way? What is the worst-case scenario? Could I do the opposite? How can I thrill the end user? What am I afraid of? Do I understand why? Where else has something similar been done? What is expected and why? Who has something to lose? Who is the enemy, and how do we foil them? Who could solve this problem with ease and how? How would my favorite superhero do it? How would my favorite movie character do it? Could I change the medium? Could I ask the question differently? How would a third grader approach this problem? What question do I need to answer first? Is there a resource I’m lacking? How would I describe the problem in three words? Are there subproblems to the main problem? What’s the world like once the problem’s solved? Who can I call for help? Can I create a metaphor for the problem? How would I start over? What’s the primary block and why? Refuse to remain stuck. Ask new questions to spark new insights. This episode is sponsored by https://www.truebill.com/Accidentalcreative?wpsnetn=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&wpcn=accidentalcreative&wpcid=accidentalcreative&utm_campaign=accidentalcreative (Truebill). Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). You'll get ad-free episodes, daily episodes from The Daily Creative, and more. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Do you ever feel like you don't really belong in the room? Like your ideas just aren't as good as everyone else's? Like everyone else seems to have it figured out and you don't? You're not alone. The number one struggle that many teams I work with have is a lack of creative confidence, whether in presenting ideas or taking risks. On this episode, I discuss three key causes of a lack of creative confidence and one valuable strategy for overcoming each. Please support the show by subscribing to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). You'll get ad-free episodes, daily episodes from The Daily Creative, and much more. This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When I ask "what is the one thing that stands in the way of your productivity?" the most common answer get is "I don't have enough time!" But...really? We each have the same amount of time - 168 hours a week. It's not so much about the quantity of time as it is about how we choose to leverage it. In this episode, I share three big time blocking strategies that you can implement to help you produce better creative work in 2022. This episode is sponsored by http://wix.com (Wix). This episode is sponsored by the My First Million podcast. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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If I had to choose one gift to impart upon every person I meet - one master key that unlocks their potential - it would be bravery. We need radical bravery in our workplaces, our schools, our neighborhoods, and in our politics. If more people committed to making brave choices daily, we would see stronger, more effective teams, less corruption, less unhealthy conflict, and more progress on the societal issues that truly matter. Organizations need leaders committed to cultivating a culture of bravery, and who themselves are making brave choices in the face of uncertainty. The marketplace needs more business owners who are willing to step up and do the right thing for their employees and their communities, even at the risk of personal cost. And, society needs more people to cultivate brave, empathetic relationships with people who think differently from them. My ambition with this episode is to inspire an epidemic of everyday bravery both in and out of the workplace. Here's to creative bravery in 2022! This episode is sponsored by http://bambee.com/accidentalcreative (Bambee). This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get our FREE 12-part video course Everyday Brilliance at http://accidentalcreative.com (AccidentalCreative.com). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Needless complexity is often an enemy of the creative process. In this episode, we share three ways to seek simplicity in your life and work in 2022: Processes Expectations Assumptions

Get a worksheet to help you apply this framework https://accidental-creative.ck.page/a433681911 (here). Get ad-free and bonus episodes, and daily episodes of The Daily Creative with http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed). This episode is sponsored by http://wix.com (Wix). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's that time of year when many people start thinking about their goals, where their life and work will go in the coming year, and changes they might want to make. There are four questions that I've been pondering lately, and on this episode I share them, explain them, and offer my thoughts about how to apply them to help you calibrate your focus and time in 2022. What is my "defining question"? What do I know, but am afraid to admit? How do I want to grow? What is being asked of me?

To get the worksheet for this episode, visit AccidentalCreative.com/2022. Get ad-free episodes, daily episodes from The Daily Creative, and more with http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by http://bambee.com/accidentalcreative (Bambee). This episode is sponsored by http://schwab.com/plan (Schwab). This episode is sponsored by https://listen.hubspot.com/public/83/My-First-Million-0ae39496 (Hubspot). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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You can create the most wonderful product or service in the world, but if no one knows about it then it will certainly fail to gain traction. You must be able to find your ideal customer, and figure out how to connect with them in a way that compels them to interact with your work. Today's guest is Pamela Slim. In her new book The Widest Net, she shares a simple framework for getting your work into the world and connecting with those who are likely to love it. Want ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and more? Check out http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). This episode is sponosred by http://bambee.com/accidentalcreative (Bambee). This episode is sponsored by http://thrivegig.com (Thrive). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Like many bright, creative professionals, you likely have a lot of ideas. Big ideas. You know where you want to go, but the first challenge is often the most duanting. Where do you even begin? Today’s guest has accomplished a lot of big things. He’s a Rhodes Scholar, successful consultant, author of the international best-selling book The Coaching Habit, and also the author of the new book How To Begin. In this episode, he shares a practical, step-by-step method for moving your big ideas forward. Want ad-free episodes and access to the full archives? Subscribe to http://acpremium.me/ (AC Premium). This episode is sponsored by Indeed. This episode is sponsored by Headspace. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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As a creative pro, you must be ready to deliver great results at a moment's notice, whenever and wherever you happen to be. That pressure can wear you down and cause burnout, frustration, and disconnectedness from your work. In order to thrive, you need to figure out how to structure life and work in such a way that you are poised to produce great work when the opportunity arises. Today's guest has spent years studying the nature of the mind. http://amishi.com/ (Dr. Amishi Jha) is a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Miami, and the author of a new book called Peak Mind. In this conversation, she shares how anyone can better hone their attention and train their mind to operate at its best consistently. Get ad-free episodes and access to hundreds of archive episodes at ACpremium.me. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do you define a "rich life"? Have you ever even considered the question? Many creative pros spend their career chasing after something... undefined. What are you trying to achieve in life and work?

Today's guest has spent decades helping others define what a "rich life" means. http://iwt.com (Ramit Sethi) is the author of I Will Teach You To Be Rich and the host of the podcast of the same name. In this episode we discuss how to make wise career choices, how our beliefs about money can unknowingly limit us, and how to talk with our stakeholders about important decisions.

This episode is sponsored by Bambee.

This episode is sponsored by Shopify.

Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text] When I ask creative pros what prevents them from sharing their idea, or putting work into the world, it's often that they fear the work isn't good enough. Or, that they aren't good enough. Or, that they just don't really belong in the room. On this episode, we discuss how fear can paralyze you and some specific strategies for limiting its grip.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section] Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text] Creative pros are by nature builders. We love to make things, play with ideas, and put new concepts into the world where they can be experienced by others. But, the process of building new things can be daunting, and selecting which ideas to build can be confusing.

Today's guest is a certainly a builder. His most recent projects are http://breather.com (Breather) and Practice, for which he just raised a $10 million round of investment led by Andreessen Horowitz. On this episode we discuss the nature of building, how to choose the right ideas, and how to spot trends before they become mainstream.

Please support the show by subscribing to AC Premium.

This episode is sponsored by Indeed.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section] Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We live in a short-term thinking world. Many people want immediate results, and as a result they fail to make the necessary investments to reap long-term rewards. However, those who are able to think long-term make investments today that are likely to provide a return for months or years to come. How do you break the short-term thinking cycle and shift toward a long-term mindset?

Today's guest is http://dorieclark.com (Dorie Clark). She is the author of a new book called The Long Game and on this episode she helps us understand how to cultivate a mindset that focuses on achieving long-term results.

Want to take your AC experience to a whole new level? Get ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and full access to the AC archives with http://acpremium.me (AC Premium).

This episode is sponsored by Shopify.

Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The love of comfort is often the enemy of greatness. We can look successful to everyone around us, but deep down know that we're essentially "phoning it in" and have stopped growing, challenging ourself, and chasing aspirations. We've settled in.  In Part four of our series on my book Die Empty, we discuss the various ways in which the pursuit of comfort can infiltrate our lives and prevent us from achieving our goals.  Want every episode in this Die Empty series? Subscribe to http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). You'll get ad-free episodes, access to the full archives, and many bonuses and surprises.  This episode is sponsored by Netsuite. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare.  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Do you have a minute to think? It’s a good question, and it’s difficult to answer. I think most of us - especially right now - have days full of meetings and obligations. Now that meetings are essentially frictionless, more are added to our calendar. After all, the next group is just a click away. However, this means that as we’re squeezing more and more efficiency into our lives, we’re simultaneously eliminating the very thing we need in order to do great work - space for ideas to develop.  So, do you have a minute to think? That’s the name of the new book - A Minute To Think - by today’s guest Juliet Funt. On this episode, she’s going to share why white space is so important and how to incorporate more of it into your calendar and life. Get ad-free episodes and bonus surprises with AC Premium.  This episode is sponsored by Indeed. This episode is sponsored by Marpipe. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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To gain attention for your work (or your message) you must stand apart from everyone else. There is no place for being another in a line of similar messages. How do you separate yourself from the pack? Today's guest is Mike Michalowicz, author of the new book Get Different. He shares specific strategies for standing out from the crowd. Get ad-free episodes and bonuses with AC Premium.  This episode is sponsored by Bambee.  This episode is sponsored by Novo. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do you share your idea in a way that it will resonate with your intended audience? Whether you're a leader, a marketer, a designer, a writer, or a product developer, it's not your idea that matters it's whether others understand it and feel compelled to respond. Today's guest http://tamsenwebster.com (Tamsen Webster) has spent years helping some of the top thinkers in the world convey their ideas in a compelling way, and on this episode she shares how you can find the through-line that makes your idea resonate. Her new book is called Find Your Red Thread.  Get ad-free episodes and bonus episodes with AC Premium.  This episode is sponsored by Shopify. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Many creative pros love the work they do, but strongly dislike talking about or marketing that work. Today's guest John Jantsch has been teaching small business owners and freelancers how to market for decades, and on this episode he shares a simple framework for helping the world experience your work and growing your influence. His new book is called The Ultimate Marketing Engine.  This episode is sponsored by Headspace. This episode is sponsored by Novo.  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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You've likely heard the old advice "you can't change other people." Today's guest would beg to differ. Through decades of coaching, he's developed a method to help you help other people change and achieve the results that they want. Peter Bregman is the author of the new book You Can Change Other People.  Support the show and get ad-free and bonus episodes at ACpremium.me. Today's episode is sponsored by Indeed. Todday's episode is sponsored by Netsuite.   Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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This is the second part of a nine part series on Todd Henry's book https://amzn.to/3A0Ofzj (Die Empty). In this episode, we look at the effect that aimlessness can have on your day to day work, and how to identify a portfolio of productive passion that drives you forward in life. Parts three and four of this series will be available only to AC Premium subscribers. To join, visit ACpremium.me. Get a workbook for this series at AccidentalCreative.com/subscribe. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. This episode is sponsored by Netsuite.  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The average person lives about 4,000 weeks. How does that fact make you feel? More importantly, how might knowing that your time is so finite cause you to choose to live?  There are so many tools at our disposal for time management, but often our efforts only make us feel more busy and overwhelmed. Today's guest is http://oliverburkeman.com (Oliver Burkeman). We discuss existential overwhelm, the efficiency trap, and how to reclaim just a little bit of sanity in a world obsessed with better, faster, more. His new book is the instant NY Times Best-seller https://amzn.to/3DAaKx4 (4,000 Weeks).  Today's episode is sponsored by Headspace and http://bambee.com/accidentalcreative (Bambee).  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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This week we begin a new series covering Todd Henry's 2013 book Die Empty. For each of the next nine episodes, we will be discussing a core principle from the book and how it applies to life and work. Today we discuss the three modes of work, and why each is important if you want to build a body of work you can be proud of. If you would like to receive every one of the nine episodes in this series, subscribe to AC Premium at ACPremium.me. You will also receive every future episode of the show ad-free.  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When we talk about the creative process, what we’re really talking about is the ability to connect dots and make intuitive leaps. Sometimes those dots are previous projects we worked on, or experiences we had, and sometimes they are from things that we’ve read or studied along the way. Today, we’re going to talk about the value of reading to our creative process.  Our guest is Jeff Brown, author of the new book Read To Lead and host of the Read To Lead podcast. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a one-month free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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On today's show, Todd Henry discusses the difference between bold creative work and brave creative work. This applies both to the work we do as professionals as well as how we lead others.  Then, Todd turns to discussing the three core elements of brilliant work that he shared in his talk at Leadercast this week: Skills, Experience, and Motivation. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Go to Bambee.com/accidentalcreative right now to schedule your FREE HR audit. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Right now, Indeed is offering our listeners a free seventy-five dollar credit to boost your job post – which means more quality candidates will see it, fast. Learn more at Indeed.com/creative. Offer valid through September 30, terms and conditions apply. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do the best of the best do what they do? It's easy to watch and admire top performers, but we can actually do more than that. We can decode how they got there. Today's guest is Ron Friedman. He shares insights about how we can reverse engineer the greatness of those we admire with tips from his new book Decoding Greatness. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Go to Bambee.com/accidentalcreative right now to schedule your FREE HR audit. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you have a number of ideas, how do you know which one to pursue? On this episode, we discuss creative process, practices, and how to know when an idea is right with A/J Jackson. A/J is an American filmmaker, musician, songwriter, record producer, and perhaps best known as the lead singer for the international platinum-selling band https://www.saintmotel.com (Saint Motel). He is also the founder of AVIEW, a new eyewear brand that offers shades in every hue of the rainbow.  Want to support the show? Join http://acpremium.me (AC Premium) for ad-free and bonus episodes and more. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a one-month free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Does what you listen to affect your ability to generate ideas and be productive? According to today's guest, the soundtrack you choose can impact your creativity significantly. Will Henshall is the founding member of the band Londonbeat and the founder of http://focusatwill.com (FocusAtWill). In this conversation, we discuss how different personality types perform better when utilizing different sonic environments.  This episode is sponsored by Headspace. Want to support the show? Become an AC Premium member.  Join the weekly newsletter 3 Things. Just three simple things guaranteed to spark creative thought delivered to your inbox each Sunday.    Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Brilliant performers in any field often have rituals or practices that they fall back on to help them perform consistently at their peak. When you are charged with doing complex work every day, rituals can bring order to your world and help you focus more effectively. If you want to deliver a result consistently, you must systemize it, and that’s precisely what a ritual does. However, the danger of rituals is that they can remain in your schedule long after they have stopped serving their original purpose. Worse, they can begin to work against your ability to be effective. While I believe that high-performing people and teams must have strong rituals in their life to support their goals, I also know that these rituals must be examined on a regular basis to ensure that they aren’t becoming fossilized ruts. Here are a few suggestions for shaking up your rituals before they stall your progress. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Get started right now with a $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at http://indeed.com/creative (Indeed.com/creative). Support the show by joining http://acpremium.me (AC Premium). Get ad-free episodes and access to the full archives. The Accidental Creative is part of the Airwave Media Network. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's been a long year, and many creative pros are experiencing some level of creative burnout. It's taken everything we have to deliver on expectations over the past year, and as we now return to a sense of "normal", the uncertainty and expectations are likely to rise even more. On this episode, I offer six tips for dealing with those moments when you feel overwhelmed and burned out.  1. Pause and organize 2. Clear the decks 3. Re-prioritize 4. Time block 5. Care physically 6. Re-root in your productive passion Have a question you'd like answered on the show? Visit AccidentalCreative.com/podcasts. Support the show! Get ad-free episodes and access to the full archives at http://acpremium.me (acpremium.me). This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a one-month free trial of Premium Membership. The Accidental Creative is an Airwave Media podcast. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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No matter your job, you are probably in "the middle". Meaning, you have to manage both up and down. That can be a tricky balance to strike, especially when it feels like your own career and success is tied to the success of your manager or team.  Today's guest is Scott Mautz. He has led multi-billion dollar divisions of companies and experienced leading at every level of organizations. He is here to help us navigate these pressures with tips from his new book Leading From The Middle. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Go to Bambee.com/accidentalcreative to schedule your FREE HR audit. Want to start reading my next book over a year before it releases? Visit TheDailyCreative.me. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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As organizations around the world face health and social crises, as well as economic uncertainty, acknowledging and improving wellbeing in the workplace is more critical than ever. Increasingly, leaders and managers must support mental health and cultivate resilience in employees — not just increase engagement and performance.  Today's guest is Gallup's Chief Workplace Scientist, Jim Harter. His new book Wellbeing at Work explores the five key elements of wellbeing — career, social, financial, physical and community — and how organizations can help employees and teams thrive in those elements.  Join me and your fellow leaders for a weekly online meetup to discuss how to better lead creative people. Visit CreativeLeaderRoundtable.com to learn more. This episode is sponsored by Stamps.com. Go to Stamps.com, click on the Microphone at the TOP of the homepage and type in ACCIDENTAL for a special offer. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The pressure to generate big ideas can feel overwhelming. We know that bold innovations are critical in these disruptive and competitive times, but when it comes to breakthrough thinking, we often freeze up. According to today's guest http://joshlinkner.com (Josh Linkner), instead of shooting for a $10-billion payday or a Nobel Prize, the most prolific innovators focus on Big Little Breakthroughs—small creative acts that unlock massive rewards over time. By cultivating daily micro-innovations, individuals and organizations are better equipped to tackle tough challenges and seize transformational opportunities. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a free trial of Premium Membership. We love our supporters - thank you! Want to support the show? Get ad-free episodes and access to the full archives at http://acpremium.me (ACpremium.me). The Accidental Creative is part of the Airwave Media network. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Do you ever feel like you’re teetering right on the edge of burnout You’re running faster but not moving closer to your goals? Everything is so much harder than it used to be? As high achievers, we’ve been conditioned to believe that the path to success is paved with relentless work. We believe that if we aren’t perpetually exhausted, we’re not doing enough. On this episode, Greg McKeown is here to help us sort through how to make our work more effortless. His new book is called Effortless. This episodes is sponsored by Indeed. Get started get started right now with a free $75 job credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/creative. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Gravity affects every aspect of our physical being, but there’s a psychological force just as powerful―yet almost nobody has heard of it. It’s responsible for bringing groups of people together and pulling them apart, making certain goals attractive to some and not to others, and fueling cycles of anxiety and conflict. In his new book Wanting, Luke Burgis draws on the work of French polymath René Girard to bring this hidden force to light and reveals how it shapes our lives and societies. In this interview, we discuss the nature of mimetic desire, how it affects everything from creating to collaboration, and how we can discover what we truly want as creative pros. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Go to Bambee.com/accidentalcreative right now to schedule your free HR audit. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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This year has brought a lot of "firsts" to our lives. One of the most prominent ones is that we had to learn how to work completely remotely for the first time. In the midst of all of these changes, anxiety has become an ever-present dynamic in the workday. On this episode, Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton are back to share how we can better manage anxiety in the course of our life and work. Additionally, they share practical tips for managers about how to create space for conversations about anxiety with team members, and to lead with empathy. Their new book is called https://amzn.to/3bTLRA7 (Anxiety At Work). This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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As a 24-year-old line cook, Ellen Marie Bennett couldn’t stand the kitchen staff’s poorly designed, cheaply made aprons. So when her head chef announced he was ordering a new batch, she blurted out, “Chef, I have an apron company”—even though she had no company, no business plan—just a glimmer of a design idea and a business license. Through hustle and a willingness to leap into the unknown, she built that first order into the company Hedley & Bennett is today, making aprons and kitchen gear worn by many of the world’s best chefs and home cooks everywhere. In this interview, we discuss Ellen's new book Dream First, Details Later and principles that anyone with an idea can apply to bring it into the world for others to enjoy. Become a support of the podcast and get ad-free episodes and access to the full archives. Join http://acpremium.me/ (AC Premium) at http://acpremium.me. Today’s episode is sponsored by Headspace. Visit Headspace.com/accidentalcreative for a free one month trial with access to Headspace’s full library of meditations for every situation. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We all have things in our life that we'd like to change, but change can feel like a bit of a "black box". What is lacking for many of us, according to Katy Milkman, is strategy. We don't have an effective path forward to create the change that we want to see in our lives and work. On this episode, we discuss Katy's new book How To Change and some practical strategies for accomplishing your goals. This episode is sponnsored by Indeed. Get started right now with a free $75 sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/creative. Offer valid through June 30, 2021. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When collaborating digitally, there are a different set of rules. Your peers may not catch the subtlety in your email in the same way they would in a face to face meeting. Your team meeting may lack the same punch as an in-person collaborative effort. Formality and informality can be easily confused. On this episode, http://ericadhawan.com/ (Erica Dhawan) shares some key principles for working effectively together as a remote team. Her new book is called Digital Body Language. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do you know an idea is the right one to take action on? How do you sift the really good ideas from the mediocre ones? Phil Libin has been a part of and led a number of companies that have created products that changed the way people work. (Evernote is one of my favorite tools of all time.) His most recent company https://www.all-turtles.com/ (All Turtles) is the mission-driven product development studio behind the video service Mmhmm. In this interview, Phil discusses his philosophy of product design, how to know when it’s time to act on an idea, and some of the best advice he ever received. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Imagine sitting in a cab in New Orleans as the driver pulls out a small device, hooks it up to his phone, and begins raving about how excited he is to be able to take credit cards for the first time. Now, imagine that you are the co-founder of the company that made it possible. http://jimmckelvey.com/ (Jim McKelvey) is the co-founder of Square, a company that has opened a door for small businesses to take credit cards simply and securely. He’s also the author of a new book called The Innovation Stack in which he shares the core principles by which effective companies develop products that resonate deeply in the marketplace. In this interview, we discuss the founding of Square, that an innovation stack is and why it’s important, and what he’s learned from companies such as Southwest Airlines and IKEA about gaining a footing in a crowded marketplace. http://acpremium.me/ (AC Premium) subscribers: stick around at the end, where I’ll share my personal takeaways from the interview. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Why do two people look at the exact same circumstances and form two completely different opinions about what’s going on? Not only that, but why are those people often willing to defend their perspective to the very end, often causing tremendous misunderstanding and conflict? This is important to understand if we want to have effective collaboration and be able to lead well. On this episode, Julia Galef shares how we can learn to see things more clearly by developing a “scout mindset”. Her new book is called The Scout Mindset. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Go to Bambee.com/accidentalcreative to schedule your FREE HR audit. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It often seems like in order to succeed in your career you have to compromise other areas of your life that are also important to you. That’s especially true right now, when many of us are only five steps away from work at any given moment because we are working out of our home. However, today’s guest thinks that mindset is wrong. http://michaelhyatt.com/ (Megan Hyatt Miller) is the CEO of Michael Hyatt & Co and the co-author of the new book Win At Work, Succeed At Life. In this interview, she shares some core principles for finding success in all areas of your life, not just a few. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. If you are hiring, you need Indeed. Get started right now with a free $75 sponsore job credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/creative. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Why are some workplaces amazing and others loathed? What is it about some cultures that bring out the best in people and others that cause others to be in perpetual job-search mode? Clint Pulver has spent countless hours undercover inside some of the biggest companies in the world, and in this episode he shares what employees say about the places they work, and how managers can improve their workplace in simple and practical ways. His new book is called https://amzn.to/3wv51VS (I Love It Here). This episode is sponsored by Policygenius. You could save 50% or more by comparing life insurance quotes, and feel good knowing that if something happens, your loved ones will be taken care of. Go to Policygenius.com to get started. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Pointless hurdles. Legacy rules and regulations. Red tape. It seems like organizations are often rife with needless challenges and over-complexity. If we truly want to produce effective creative work, we must parse the unnecessary complexity and aim to approach the work in a common sense way. Today’s guest is international best-selling author and consultant Martin Lindstrom. His new book is called The Ministry Of Common Sense, and in this interview we discuss creativity, collaboration, and how to organize our lives and work so that we are eliminating pointless distraction and focusing our attention on what matters most. This episode is also sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a free trial of Premium Membership. This episode is sponsored by Back Country. Go to BackCountry.com/AC and enter promo code AC to get 15% off your first full-priced purchase. Some exlusions apply. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When many people hear the term “personal brand”, they think about entrepreneurs, authors, and celebrities. However, the reality is that every one of us has a personal brand. Your brand is how others think of you, or the space that you occupy in their mind. So, if you are an organizational leader, a civic leader, or a freelance designer, the way in which others perceive you defines your brand, regardless of what you say or do. On this episode, Rory Vaden – co-founder of Brand Builders Group – is here to help us think through the core elements of a personal brand, and why it matters to everyone regardless of your role in the marketplace. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Get your free HR compliance audi at Bambee.com/accidentalcreative. This episode is also sponsored by Indeed. Right now, our listeners get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/creative. Offer valid through March 31, 2021, terms and conditions apply. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you hear the phrase “influencer marketing”, what comes to mind? If you’re like me, those words probably conjure up images of selfies and perfectly-lit location shots. However, marketing through those with influence is much more powerful than those surface understandings imply. If you want your message or product to resonate, identifying with those with influence can help you reach the audience you’re trying to serve. On this episode, Jason Falls explains to us the nuances of influencer marketing with tips from his new book Winfluence. We discuss how brands get it wrong, and some strategies for leveraging influence to connect with the people your product or service is designed to help. This episode is sponsored by Back Country. Go to BackCountry.com/AC and enter promo code AC to get 15% off your first full-priced purchase. Some exlusions apply. This episode is sponsored by Policy Genius. You could save 50% or more by comparing quotes, and feel good knowing that if something happens, your loved ones will be taken care of. Go to http://policygenius.com/ (PolicyGenius.com) to get started. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you hear the word “management”, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Red tape? Bureaucracy? Stasis? For many people, management is perceived as the enemy of progress. But in reality, effective managers are necessary for progress. We need leaders who can work within constraints, maximize resources, and clear the path for team members to do what they do best. Today’s guest is Scott Miller. He’s the author of Everyone Deserves A Great Manager, and on this episode he shares with us the six core principles of effective management. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Get your free HR compliance audit at Bambee.com/accidentalcreative. This episode is also sponsored by Skillshare. Get a free trial of Premium membership at Skillshare.com/AC. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Ever feel a little out of control of your inbox? If you’re like most people, you probably spend a significant part of your day responding to emails that are of relatively little significance to the work you actually need to do in order to be productive. There’s a dynamic I’ve often written about called the Ping, which is the perpetual pinprick in your gut that says “something out there might be more important than what’s in front of you”. It has us living with divided attention. How do we deal with the expectations of the inbox and still produce great work? Cal Newport has an answer for us. He is the author of the new book A World Without Email, in which he argues that there is a better way to work. On this episode we discuss his theory about why email is so destructive to workflow, and practical ways that we can improve our approach to creative work in a world that’s obsessed with immediate responses. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Right now, listeners get a free $75 credit to boost your job post at Indeed.com/creative. Offer valid through March 31, 2021. This episode is also sponsored by Stamps.com. Stop wasting time at the post office and go to Stamps.com instead. Use our promo code ACCIDENTAL to get one month free plus free postage and a digital scale. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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For many people, days are starting to blend together. Our lives for the past year have consisted of the same places, people, and circumstances day after day, and this can result is a sense of “stuckness” or being in a creative rut. Ironically, one of the best ways out of that rut is by instilling daily practices to help you develop your mindset, hone your creative instincts, and spot opportunities and ideas. I call these the “Dailies”. Here are a few of mine: Study 60 minutes each day Write 500 words each day Review my “Big Things” and objectives Do one act of business development Create one piece of useful content

I do these activities each day, regardless of circumstances, and regardless of how I feel. It keeps me focused and prepared for whatever comes my way. On this episode, I share insights from my book Louder Than Words about how to develop your own set of Dailies and implement them in your routine. Today’s episode is sponsored by Headspace. Visit Headspace.com/accidentalcreative for a free one month trial with access to Headspace’s full library of meditations for every situation. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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At some point, every brand realizes that it’s time to do a “refresh”. However, there are any number of factors that can make a change difficult if not nearly impossible. You already have brand equity with your customers or clients, you have invested heavily in your brand design and assets, and rocking the boat can mean accountability if everyone ends up in the water. How do you know when it’s time to make a change of brand? On this episode, we’re fortunate to have Blake Howard. He is the co-founder and Creative Director at Matchstic in Atlanta, and also the host of the new podcast A Change Of Brand on which he interviews leaders from companies who have made a significant shift within their brand and asks about the challenges and opportunities they encountered along the way. On this episode, Blake shares some of the biggest lessons that he and his team have learned while working with companies who have made a significant change to their brand. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/creative. Offer valid through March 31, terms and conditions apply. This episode is also sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/ACand get a free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In the world of “on demand” work, television is certainly one of the most pressure-packed environments. The next show comes at a regular pace, and there’s no room for a “plan B” when the ideas just aren’t flowing. You must deliver, every day. http://twitter.com/gavinpurcell (Gavin Purcell) (showrunner and writer for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, I Love You America with Sara Silverman) knows this world well. As a 13-time Emmy nominee (and multiple-time winner), and a key collaborator with TV’s biggest names, he has helped create some of the most beloved moments in recent TV history. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of systems, why we need to get rid of the “romantic” notion of creating for a living, how to adapt when things go off-plan, specific tools and methods that he uses to produce work every day, and resources he relies on to help him stay fresh and creative. This episode is sponsored by Bambee. Get your free HR compliance audit at Bambee.com/accidentalcreative. This episode is also sponsored by Policygenius. You could save 50% or more by comparing insurance quotes, and feel good knowing that your loved ones would be taken care of if anything were to happen. Go to Policygenius.com to get started. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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As we’ve mentioned many times on this podcast, things are not necessarily going back to “normal” after Covid. In fact, there are a number of ways in which our world of work has shifted that are likely to remain the same long into the future. We’ve had to adapt to new technologies, and learn how to make them work in the absence of face to face communication, but those same technologies will be powerful complements to our workflow once we return to being around one another more consistently. On this episode of the AC podcast, Phil Simon shares what this new world of work might look like in the near-term. He’s the author of the new book Re-Imagining Collaboration, and on this episode we discuss what leaders and creative pros need to know about the post-Covid work world. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Visit Indeed.com/creative and get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post. Offer valid through March 31, 2021. This episode is also sponsored by Stamps.com. Visit Stamps.com, click on the microphone at the top of the page, and enter code Accidental for a free four-week trial. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Given the number of surprises and twists that 2020 brought us, it might seem like a foolish exercise to try to predict what will happen next. However, there are some people who have their finger on the pulse of the creative community and how work is happening and will likely continue to happen over the coming years. Scott Belsky is the Chief Product Officer at Adobe, where the team has been doing extensive research into how the creative community has adapted to remote work and is striving to create tools to facilitate where the world of creative work is headed. On this episode, we talk about some of the tactical ways in which creative pros have adapted to the circumstances we find ourselves in, why some things have changed forever and others are likely to revert to the way they’ve always been, and how creative pros can adapt their mindset to help them deal with what comes next. This episode is sponsored by Headspace. Headspace is meditation made simple. Get a free one month trial at Headspace.com/accidentalcreative. This episode is also sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We all want to make 2021 a great year. We have plans, dreams, ambitions for the coming year, but the reality is that if we don’t develop new habits we won’t get new results, especially when so much seems out of our control. Steven Kotler has spent his career studying peak performers and analyzing how they are able to achieve such seemingly impossible things. In this conversation we discuss his new book The Art Of Impossible and the fundamental elements of peak performance, how to develop a mindset that allows for new possibilities, and how to point your focus, action, and habit in the same direction. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Listeners can get a free $75 credit to boost your job post at Indeed.com/creative. (Offer valid through March 31.) This episode is also sponsored by Bambee. Go to Bambee.com/accidentalcreative right now to schedule your free HR audit. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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After 2020, a lot of people are asking questions about life, work, and the choices they are making. Some are even beginning to consider whether it’s time to move on to a new kind of work. But where do you even start to consider a career change? How do you find the intersection of your skills, your interests, and the opportunities in the marketplace? Today’s guest, http://ashleystahl.com/ (Ashley Stahl), is a career expert and has developed a framework to help anyone discover the kind of career that they are best suited for. In the interview, we discuss everything from how to seek opportunities to how to identify the kind of work you are best suited for to how to interview well. Her new book is called https://amzn.to/3no63gz (Youturn). This episode is sponsored by Stamps.com. Get a four week trial plus free postage and a digital scale. Go to Stamps.com and enter promo code Accidental. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The pandemic hasn’t really changed the direction of the marketplace, it’s mostly just accelerated it. Many of the strategies companies are employing to deal with remote work are ones that were already inevitable a year or two ago, but have now become necessities because of the state of the world. The change that we’ve all been thrust into can be destabilizing if we aren’t able to adapt to the new reality. On today’s episode of the podcast, David Burkus shares key insights from his new book Leading From Anywhere. It’s important that managers learn to understand how these new complexities affect the mindset and workflow of the people they work with, and develop strategies for helping their teams thrive, especially since it’s unlikely the workplace will ever go back to “normal”. One of the key insights we discuss is the importance of developing empathy for the people on your team. The workplace is often the “great equalizer”, in that we all have access to the same enviroment, the same resources, the same tools, and the same people. However, when we work remotely, each person is in their own environment and some are most definitely better equipped than others to deal with the pressures of the day. While one person may live alone with plenty of space and ultra-fast WiFi, another might be living in a two-bedroom apartment with small children who are doing remote school at the kitchen table. We must learn and adapt to the unique needs of the people on our team if we want to help them succeed, which means we can’t simply layer the same expectations on everyone on the team. We must commit to a posture of continuous learning, then adjust as we go. Regardless of when the pandemic ends, we will all need to learn to “lead from anywhere”. Hopefully, this episode will help you along that journey. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Want qualities job candidates fast? You need Indeed. Right now, our listeners get a free $75 credit to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/creative. (Offer good through March 31, 2021.) This episode is also sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/AC and get a free trial of Premium Membership. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Have you ever felt anxious about your job, but you don’t know why? Everything is going well, or at least according to plan, and there is nothing obvious that should be causing anxiety. Yet, when bedtime rolls around, you struggle to get to sleep, and you have a perpetual sense that you’re falling behind. Falling behind? Behind what? That’s the question I was asking myself early last year. I was on the mark to have a record year. Things had been going great, and I was able to help more people and teams and see more impact from my work this year than I ever have. By all accounts, I should have been on cloud nine. Yet, somewhere in the back of my mind, I noticed anxiety creeping into my thoughts, my planning, and the writing I am doing for my next book. At the exact moment that I should have felt peace and space I was experiencing the opposite. That’s when I realized that I was keeping score. This is an old habit, and one that dies hard. I was paying attention to a lot of little markers that have nothing whatsoever to do with my core work, or my effectiveness, or the impact that I’m trying to have with my clients or the people who read my books and listen to my podcasts. Instead, I was paying attention to things outside of my lane, and allowing them to pull me off-course and rob me of the joy and satisfaction that I should have been experiencing. Here are a few of the unhealthy ways I tend to keep score. See if you can relate: How THEY Are Scoring When someone else gets something – a contract, an offer, an endorsement – that I wanted, it bothers me. It’s as if there is only so much of it to go around. As much as I encourage my clients to focus on their own lane, I have to admit that it’s easy for me to let my peripheral vision distract me. I’ve had to develop the discipline of reminding myself that they are not responsible for my body of work, and I am not responsible for theirs. Stay. In. Your. Lane. I’ve seen this play out in teams when someone gets a coveted promotion, or is celebrated for a project, or gets more than their share of esteem for the amount of contribution they truly made. It pulls the team apart, and people begin to withhold because they feel as if they aren’t being treated fairly. They aren’t. Business isn’t fair, just like life isn’t fair. There will be things that you get that you don’t deserve, and things you deserve that go to someone else. There’s probably someone else right now keeping score on what you’re getting that they’re not. The sooner you learn to embrace the inherent unfairness of the workplace, the sooner you can simply focus on bringing your best every day and letting the chips fall where they may. I love this quote from the Bhagavad Gita, which I first heard from Steven Pressfield: “You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work.” Are you paying too much attention to how they are scoring? Things I Can’t Control This is another one. I tend to track things I can’t control, and get anxious about things that I couldn’t change if I wanted to. It’s one of the curses of being a systemic thinker – I always worry about the governing dynamics, even when they are well beyond my ability to influence. Inside of organizations, I see this play out as a general fear about market trends, or about the new company leadership (seven or eight levels above), or about the person on the team who simply doesn’t like you. There is nothing that can be done about any of these things – aside from diligently doing the work in front of you – yet they rob many people of valuable creative cycles that could be spent actually creating something meaningful. Are you tracking the score of things you can’t control? Are there forces “out there” that are causing you to spin your wheels or worry about tomorrow? My Own Expectations This one is tough. There are certain expectations that I set for myself, and when I miss the mark on one of them, it bothers me. This is true even if I far exceed

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There probably aren’t many people reading this who will be deeply saddened to see 2021 in the rear view mirror. This has been quite a year, for certain. Now, it’s time to set our sights on the future and to think about how we will prepare ourselves for whatever is ahead. It’s time to steel our resolve and establish the practices that will enable us to bring our best each day in the coming year. On today’s episode, http://optimize.me/ (Brian Johnson) is here to talk about how to optimize your life and pursue wisdom in 2021. If you want to accomplish anything in your life, you need to build the infrastructure to facilitate it. Nothing happens without the supporting mechanisms, disciplines, and practices to bolster your effort. As much as we love the romantic notion of “winging it” or “making it up as we go”, talent and instincts only get you so far. If you want to create deep impact, and to sustain that impact for a long season, you need to support your effort with practices. Your practices do a few things for you: Increase your capacity. When you do something over and over, your capacity to do that thing increases over time. So, if you want to get better at study, then study. If you want to be a better writer, you write. If you want better relationships, you set disciplines around how and how often you engage with others. Increase your agency. When you obtain a sense of mastery in one area, it tends to increase your sense of agency to change other areas of your life as well. If you want to up your confidence, start doing one or two small things very consistently and very well. Increase life satisfaction. A lot of research points to the reality that small, everyday wins create a sense of deep engagement and enjoyment. If you want to feel deeply engaged with your life in 2021, just choose a few small, healthy habits or practices to implement and do them well and often. You’ll notice an uptick in your mood and your sense of overall wellbeing.

Here are the questions I challenge you to consider over the coming week: What 1-2 new practices will you implement in 2021 to help you achieve your goals? (Will you start studying? Develop better exercise habits? Start a small writing practice each day?) What will you stop doing in 2021 so that you have more space to do the things you want to integrate? You can’t just layer things into your life – you need to regularly prune. Let’s make 2021 a great year! This episode is sponsored by Literati. Go to http://literati.com/creative (Literati.com/creative) for 25% off you first two orders. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Create a steady, reliable income and the freedom to make what you love. Sign up today at http://patreon.com/ (Patreon.com). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Well, it’s been quite a year, huh? I don’t think many of us had any idea what 2020 had in store when we confidently welcomed the New Year. It’s been a non-stop string of unexpected twists. And truthfully, this is the year that’s felt more like five years. And, it’s often the moments of deepest stress and pain that can generate the most learning, growth, and emotional resilience. I know that for me and my family, this year has opened the door to new ways of embracing life and togetherness, and has helped us to hold less tightly to things that seemed indispensible before while simultaneously opening ourselves up to new ways of experiencing life. We’ve seen an explosion of driveway firepits, with neighbors spontaneously gathering outdoors (at a safe distance!) just to claim a few brief moments of community. We’ve learned to connect with others from afar using technology that seemed almost gratuitous before physical distancing became the norm. So, as I reflected on 2020, I realized that I had five big, key learnings for the year. That’s what I share on this episode. Diversify your portfolio (before you need it). It’s important to ensure that you aren’t putting all of your eggs in one basket. Even if you work for a company, you should be thinking about diversity of income stream in the event that something happens to your primary one. Don’t allow everything to hinge on one linchpin. Have a “break the glass” strategy. Many people were (all of us?) were surprised by the onset of the global pandemic. This should cause all of us to re-think our contingency plans in the event of another unexpected disaster. Embrace the flow of the river. Focus on things inside your circle of influence, and focus less on things in your circle of concern but beyond your influence. A stimulated mind = a stimulated life. The moments when I was most engaged this year were moments when I was studying or absorbing material that caused me to think in new ways. Don’t judge others by your measure for yourself. We need to extend grace to one another and recognize that we’re each carrying a unique burden.

In this episode, I dive deeper into each of these five learnings and offer some next steps for application. This episode is sponsored by Headspace. Get a free one-month trial at Headspace.com/accidentalcreative. This episode is also sponsored by Patreon. Start creating on your own terms today at Patreon.com. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Freelance work offers tremendous opportunities, but also some unique challenges. It can be challenging to stay connected to others who can help you grow, find new prospects, and develop your skillset. On this episode, Amanda Malko (head of Mailchimp & Co and Mailchimp Academy) shares some practical tips for staying connected with others during this time, learning from the best practices of others, and finding new business opportunities during these uncertain times. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Visit Skillshare.com/accidental and get a free trial of Premium Membership. This episode is also sponsored by Literati. Go to Literati.com/accidentalcreative to find your perfect book club and sign up today. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Anyone else starting to experience a bit of “Zoom fatigue”? Many of us have been staring into cameras now for months on end, whether for meetings or pitches or even just casual interactions with friends, and it’s becoming a bit daunting. If your work requires you to capture and hold the attention of someone who is on the other end of a video call, you need to understand the principles of effective interpersonal communication, especially those that are non-verbal or non-intuitive. On this episode, behavioral investigator Vanessa Van Edwards is here to share the scientific principles of succeeding with people. Vanessa is the author of the best-selling book Captivate, and she also delivered the very popular (and perhaps unfortunately titled, given the current circumstances) TEDx Talk You Are Contagious. We discuss the verbal and non-verbal ways in which we connect with others, and some practical tips for being more effective whether in-person or on a video call. This episode is sponsored by Headspace. Go to Headspace.com/accidentalcreative for a free one-month trial with access to Headspace’s full library of meditations for every situation. This episode is also sponsored by Patreon. Find the creative freedom to do your best work, and the financial stability to make it possible. Visit Patreon.com to learn how. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It is often the case that the quality of our life is tied to the quality of our decisions. If we can learn to make better decisions, we can position ourselves to take advantage of opportunities and minimize the potential of unforced errors. On this episode, Annie Duke shares deep insight into how to make better decisions from her new book How To Decide. We discuss: Why good decisions might still result in bad outcomes, and vice versa. How to think about hindsight bias and how it affects our perception of decisions. Why decisions that seem bad to others might actually be good decisions for you. How the paradox of experience can lead to unforced errors and bad decisions.

This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Right now, Indeed is offering our listeners a free sventy-five dollar credit to boost your job post, which means more quality candidates will see it fast. Learn more at indeed.com/creative. (Offer valid through December 31.) This episode is also sponsored by LightStream. LightStream believes that people with good credit deserve a better loan experience. Learn more at http://lightstream.com/accidental (LightStream.com/accidental). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In times of uncertainty, we look for voices of clarity. Over several coming episodes, we’re going to be speaking with individuals who have the ability to speak a bit of clarity into the present uncertainty, and who can offer strategies for navigating through the next several months of instability. On today’s episode, http://dorieclark.com/ (Dorie Clark) shares what she is hearing at this moment from business leaders, and offers insights for diversifying your portfolio of revenue sources to create more marketplace stability. Dorie is the author of several books, including the best-seller Entrepreneurial You, and speaks and consults globally to some of the largest companies in the world. This episode is sponsored by Literati. Go to Literati.com/accidentalcreative to find your perfect book club and sign up today. This episode is also sponsored by Patreon. Start creating on your own terms. Sign up today at Patreon.com and find the steady, reliable income and the freedom to make what you love. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We have more tools available for time management than at any point in human history. However, managing our time is a fool’s errand if we’re not investing that time in ways that create future value. Things like creativity, insight, and even life satisfaction must be considered, not just efficiency. However, many people and organizations sacrifice effectiveness on the altar of short-term efficiency. David Kadavy has just released a book in which he argues that we must manage our ability to bring our full creative faculties to whatever work is in front of us rather than simply focusing on managing our time. His book is called Mind Management, Not Time Management, and covers the principles of maintaining focus, creativity, and viability each day. In our conversation we discuss: Why we inevitably hit a point of diminishing returns with our creative efforts, and how to prevent it. How Paul McCartney wrote Yesterday, and why it’s a perfect illustration of the four phases of creativity. Methods for capturing every idea as it appears so that it doesn’t slip away. How to structure your days to take advantage of your best creative hours rather than force-fitting your tasks into a pre-determined template.

This episode is sponsored by Literati Kids. Go to Literati.com/creative for twenty-five percent off your first two orders and pick your kids book club today. This episode is also sponsored by Patreon. Find the creative freedom to do your best work, and the financial stability to make it possible. Sign up today at Patreon.com. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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These are not, as they say, normal times. And, extra-ordinary times demand extra-ordinary tactics. As I’ve conducted a number of training sessions and speaking events over the past several weeks, I realized that much of the solution to the low-grade anxiety that many of us are feeling at the moment comes down to three things, all of which start with the letter “B”: Buffers: We need to establish some space “between” our commitments, including space at the beginning, middle, and end of our day, so that we can stay engaged and focused. Backburners: We need to have some way of engaging creatively beyond our on-demand work. This might look like developing a new skill, establishing a hobby, or finding some way of expressing ourselves and taking creative risks that are relatively actually low-risk because no one is judging our work. Breakwaters: We need to establish a bit of a sea wall against the onslaught of media and news that can easily overwhelm us and cause us to feel disengaged. This means putting some boundaries in place to help prevent overload. In this episode, we dive deeper into each of these three areas and offer some practical tips for implementing the three “B’s”. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/accidental and the first 1,000 people to use our link will get a free trial of Skilshare Premium Membership. This episode is sponsored by Hover. Visit Hover.com/accidentalcreative and get 10% off all new purchases. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We are surrounded by sounds that impact our mood, our attention, and our sense of place and being. Yet few of us actually stop to consider how those sounds are made, or the strategy behind them. On this episode, we talk with Dallas Taylor, host of the 20 Thousand Hertz podcast. He shares with us the importance of opening our ears to the world around us, and offers insights into how soundcraft can shape human experience. Dallas Taylor is the host of Twenty Thousand Hertz, a lovingly crafted podcast with TED that reveals the stories behind the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds. He’s also the Creative Director of Defacto Sound, the sound design source for the world’s most thoughtful brands. Dallas is also a sound designer, consultant, writer, and TED mainstage speaker. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Creators — are you tired of being paid in clicks and likes? Patreon lets you build real, sustainable income through the direct support of your fans. Sign up on http://patreon.com/ (patreon.com) now and start building the steady income stream you deserve. This episode is also sposored by Hover. Hover knows you will do something that will make a difference. Grab this domain name and many more at hover.com/AccidentalCreative for a 10% discount on all new purchases. Make a name for yourself with Hover. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Why does certain criticism sting so much? I’ve come to believe that it’s often not for the reason we suspect. When doing creative work, especially in public, you are essentially inviting feedback. I’ve said before that those who work in public are essentially painting a giant target on themselves, and thus must be willing to deal with the sting of the arrows. However, while I believe this to be true in principle, in practice it is often much more challenging. Which leads me to this question: have you ever considered why certain forms of criticism sting you more than others? Do you respond with more anger, defensiveness, or aggression with certain types of feedback than with others? If so, it could be that there is some form of limiting narrative or embedded belief/fear that is lurking just beneath the surface, waiting for an opportunity to pounce. Here’s an experiment I’d like to propose: Pay attention to your response to critique and feedback over the coming week. If it suits you, perhaps even write each piece of feedback down. More importantly, see if you can identify why that feedback elicited such a strong response in you. Is it possible that there is some defining story that’s affecting your engagement? If you can spot some beliefs/narratives, consider how else they might be playing out in your life and work. Are they affecting the choices you make, the opportunities you seek, or your relationships? Is so, how? It’s often not the circumstances we learn from, but our response to them. Identifying limiting narratives or patterns of self-destruction can help us spot them when they crop up, then nip them before they cause us to implode or obsess needlessly over critique.

Understanding why criticism stings can help us learn from it and apply insights to life and work. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Creators — are you tired of being paid in clicks and likes? Patreon lets you build real, sustainable income through the direct support of your fans. Sign up on http://patreon.com/ (patreon.com) now and start building the steady income stream you deserve. This episode is also sponsored by Lightstream. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In my book Die Empty, I examined the common places where bright, sharp, talented people eventually get stuck in their life and career. The goal, of course, is to get your best work out of you every day and to not leave it inside or take it to your grave with you like so many people do. We all have a unique contribution to make to the world through our life and work, but unless we are purposeful about getting to it, others may never experience it. There are three kinds of work that we engage in as we go about our day. (I also addressed these in a recent podcast.) They are Mapping, Making, and Meshing. Mapping is planning your work. It is when you strategize, conceive, think, plan, and plot your course of action. It’s the “work before the work” that helps you stay aligned. Making is actually doing the work. It is when you are creating the actual value you are being paid for, or doing the tasks you devised while mapping. Meshing is the third kind of work, and it’s often overlooked in the hustle of daily activity. It is all of the “work between the work” that actually makes you more effective when you are working. It’s comprised of things like following your curiosity, study, developing your skills, and asking deeper questions about why you are doing your work. Depending on how diligent you are at engaging in these three kinds of work, you will occasionally fall into one of four “productivity profiles”. Mapping + Making – Meshing = Driver Drivers are “heads down”. They are ploughing through their work and getting things done, and they are extremely effective in short bursts and in the short-term. However, over time they become decreasingly effective because they aren’t doing the little things that prepare them for future challenges and obstacles. They are not developing themselves or their capacity for future effectiveness. Mapping + Meshing – Making = Dreamer The dreamer loves to talk about ideas, and loves to develop skills and follow curiosity where it leads, but is not disciplined about getting the work done. They tend to have big ideas, but no follow-through. Of course, this is not a path to making a valuable contribution. Meshing + Making – Mapping = Drifter This is my achilles heel. The drifter is someone who loves to develop skills and follow curiosity, and loves to engage in the act of making, but they lack the conviction of a long-term strategic plan. Thus, they tend to leave a series of half-finished projects in their wake. They bounce from shiny new project to shiny new project, and fall prey to what Scott Belsky calls the “project plateau”, which is when they hop to a new project when the old one stalls. Mapping + Making + Meshing = Developer This is the most desirable of the four profiles, because it allows you to take advantage of all three kinds of work and weave them together to take advantage of opportunities. Developers are best positioned to spot and leverage opportunities because they are planning, they are being diligent about doing the work, and they are developing themselves and their skills to position them for future activity. So which of the four profiles most reflects your tendencies? The good news is that if you see yourself in one of them, it’s easy to adjust and get back on the Developer path. Everyone has their tendencies and weak spots, but awareness of them is the first step toward more productive and contributive activity. Question: Which of these four profiles to you tend toward the most, and how does it affect your work? This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Try Indeed out with a free seventy-five dollar credit to boost your job post at Indeed.com/creative. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Creators — are you tired of being paid in clicks and likes? Patreon lets you build real, sustainable income through the direct support of your fans. Sign up on http://patreon.com/ (patreon.com) now and start building the steady income stream you deserve. Mentioned in...

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The key to producing a brilliant body of work is steady, regular, brave practice. You must engage every day with your work as a matter of discipline. No one embodies this ethic better than http://sethgodin.com/ (Seth Godin). Seth is the author of most of my favorite books, all of which have been best-sellers, and is a champion of those who make brave art each day. On this episode, we discuss his new book The Practice and how we can purposefully bring ourselves to our work every day. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Patreon lets you build real, sustainable income through the direct support of your fans. Sign up on http://patreon.com/ (patreon.com) now and start building the steady income stream you deserve. This episode is also sponsored by Hover. Hover knows you will do something that will make a difference. Grab your domain name and many more at hover.com/accidentalcreative for a 10% discount on all new purchases. Make a name for yourself with Hover. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Since the early days of the Accidental Creative podcast we’ve closed off with the phrase “cover bands don’t change the world – you need to find your unique voice if you want to thrive.” A cover band is a band that plays other people’s music, and they often fill music venues and make money, but at the end of the night people go home singing the music. Cover bands are often quickly forgotten, but the music lives on. This doesn’t mean that emulation is always wrong. In fact, emulation is a key part of early growth and development. However, we cannot rely on imitation as a short-cut to success. If we do, our success will be hollow, and without a foundation. In order to add lasting, meaningful value, we must – eventually – find our own voice. But how do we do that? With the pressures and demands of daily work, it can often be overwhelming simply to deliver on expectations, let alone to try to find some unique way of engaging our day. But it’s often in the midst of our work that we will find the best clues for our deeper, resonant vocation. The sources of both “voice” and “vocation” are close to the Latin word vocare, which means “to call, or invoke”. Our voice is the thing that is being called out of us in the midst of our work. It is the underlying why of our passion, even if we’ve never considered it. We must actively search for our voice, and clear a path for it to emerge. It is uncovered, not manufactured. We may not even like what we discover at first, but by embracing it we will position ourselves to occupy the unique space for which we’re wired. Here are a few questions that may help uncover clues to your voice. Set aside some time with a notebook or journal to reflect on each: What angers you? Every super hero needs a bad guy. Without one, the super hero has nothing to fight against. Are there specific things that evoke a compassionate anger in you? (Key point of differentiation: this is not about road rage, poor service, or leaving the seat up. We’re talking about the systemic things that evoke a desire to intervene in a situation as an act of compassion or to rectify a great wrong.) What makes you cry? Think about the last several instances that caused you to cry. Movies are fair game too. I’ve noticed that I almost always tear up while watching stories of underdogs who overcome incredible odds. This is a clue to me that my greatest work may somehow involve fighting for those who are oppressed or unheard. (Hence…we call AC “freedom fighters for the creative class.”) What have you mastered? Are there tasks, skills, or opportunities that you have simply mastered and can do without thinking? These low-friction activities might give you a clue to ways you can continue pursuing your voice. We learn through action, observation, then correction. Start with what you do well, and work your way toward your goal. What gives you hope? What do you look forward to? What great vision do you have for your future and the future of others? Hope is a powerful motivator, and can give you a clue to the ways in which you may be able to compel others to act. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? We often forget the earliest clues to our voice as we are burdened with the expectations of peers, teachers, parents, and eventually the marketplace. But those early days of wonder – the vast expanses of horizon that hinted at limitless possibility – can give us insight into the deeper seeds of fascination that still reside within us. So…what did/do you want to be when you grow up? If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do? It astounds me how few people have asked themselves this question, and it astounds me more how few people can arrive at an answer when they do. We believe that a lack of resources is the obstacle to our happiness and fulfillment, but for many of us the limitation has nothing to do with a lack of money or time. The limitation is our fear of falling short of our own...

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In the face of uncertainty, teams need good, effective leadership. Not just bold, brash, decisive leadership, but empathetic, focused, generous leadership. Is it possible to accomplish a lot of great work while simultaneously growing a great culture? Yes, but it requires that leaders routinely model for their team what a great culture looks like. There are three words that every creative pro needs to hear from their manager: “I’m for you.” I want to see you thrive. I want to see you excel. I want to help you accomplish your goals. Here are three specific ways we can model this sentiment to our teams: I believe in your abilities. I won’t try to control your work, but will instead allow you to operate within clear principles and will give you the freedom you need to bring your best thought to the work. I won’t let you settle. I will hold you accountable to expectations and to a high standard of performance, not because of how it reflects on the team but because I believe you are capable of more than you think. We are in this together. We will get to the other side in lock step, and I will fight to protect the resources, time, focus, and energy you need to do what I’m asking of you.

If teams begin to operate in this fashion, it unlocks trust and deep engagement. On this episode, I dive into each of these three principles and how to implement them. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Creators — are you tired of being paid in clicks and likes? Patreon lets you build real, sustainable income through the direct support of your fans. Sign up on http://patreon.com/ (patreon.com) now and start building the steady income stream you deserve. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Some people think of design as the afterthought of a project. It’s about making things look good, tweaking the usability, or simply making a product or service more appealing. However, those who understand the value of design know that it must be baked into the very fabric of a product or service. Design is not an afterthought, it’s a starting point. On this episode, Scott Berkun shares principles from his new book https://amzn.to/2T4xcbC (How Design Makes The World), and offers some tactical insights for how we can be more intentional about approaching our everyday interactions and work through the lens of good design. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Creators — are you tired of being paid in clicks and likes? Patreon lets you build real, sustainable income through the direct support of your fans. Sign up on http://patreon.com/ (patreon.com) now and start building the steady income stream you deserve. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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If there was one word that I would use to describe those who succeed in the face of adversity, it would be resilience. Some professionals are able to withstand changing times, shifting expectations, and limited resources in a way that others aren’t. And, if there was one quality that is most needed right now, it certaintly is resilience. On this episode, we feature an interview with John Jantsch, author of https://amzn.to/3dryCGC (The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur). John discusses key principles for growing self-reliance in the midst of disconnected times, and how small business owners can continue to succeed even as the ground is constantly shifting beneath their feet. In part two of this episode, I share three key principles for developing creative resilience during these uncertain times: Train yourself to take risks in low-risk environments. Always be learning a new skill, to create layers of redundancy and a mindset of perseverance. Take time to synthesize and to think systemically and in layers, so that you can parse the noise and uncertainty.

This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Try Indeed out with a free seventy-five dollar credit to boost your job post at Indeed.com/creative. This episode is also sponsored by Hover. Hover knows you will do something that will make a difference. Grab your domain name and many more at hover.com/accidentalcreative for a 10% discount on all new purchases. Make a name for yourself with Hover. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Have we worn out the phrase “unprecedented times” yet? OK, let’s just say that we are continuing to wrestle with the uncertainty of our systems, our expectations, our relationships, our team dynamics, and even the edges of our workdays. In addition to the overwhelming loss of those who have succmbed to the virus, another major thing that has been taken from us is a sense of rhythm. We are wired for rhythm, and without it we are less focused, productive, and engaged. On this episode, we share three core principles for dealing with Covid overwhelm: Understand and use your natural motivaiton to overcome overwhelm. Discover your unique motivations and bring those to what you do every day instead of waiting for your circumstances to inspire you. Gave clear edges and set buffers. Define the beginning and end of your work day, and establish breaks in the midst of the day so that your obligations don’t stack up. Mind your dailies. Have routines and practices that keep you grounded. Feed your mind, work your body, and feed your soul every day. We are wired for rhythm and Covid has stolen it. On this episode, you’ll learn some strategies for taking it back. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. The first 1,000 people to use our link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium at Skillshare.com/accidental.   The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We often hear about the importance of curiosity, or intuition, or exploration with regard to the creative process. But, one word we rarely hear is wonder. Wonder is a word that perfectly captures the state of awe ad inspiration when we are at the precipice of a breakthrough. It encapsulates the sense of possibility being greater than expected and more expansive than previously known. When we can operate with a sense of wonder, our world expands. On this episode of the podcast, Harris iii shares insights from his new book The Wonder Switch that will help us activate wonder in our daily lives and live with our eyes on possibility, not just pragmatism. This episode is sponsored by Patreon. Creators — are you tired of being paid in clicks and likes? Patreon lets you build real, sustainable income through the direct support of your fans. Sign up on http://patreon.com/ (patreon.com) now and start building the steady income stream you deserve. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In today’s workplace, there are multiple generations working side by side, meaning that in order to collaborate effectively and lead well it’s important to understand the unique qualities and characteristics of each generation, and also how they uniquely contribute to the fabric and mission of the team. On this episode, Jason Dorsey (expert in generational dynamics and co-author of Zconomy) shares insights into how to understand Gen Z, lead them, and unleash their best work. This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Get 20% off Grammarly Premium when you sign up at Grammarly.com/creative. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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There are many misunderstandings about what it means to be “motivated”. Typically, we think that either someone is motivated or they aren’t, as if motivation is a switch to be flipped. The reality is that we are always motivated to do something, and once we begin to unlock the secrets to what drives us we can learn to bring our motivation to what we do each day instead of waiting for our work to motivate us. On this episode, I share a passage from the new book https://amzn.to/34mbzJb (The Motivation Code) in which my co-authors and I dispel some common misunderstandings about what drives us: Motivation is just about diligence or laziness. Motivation is about enjoying tasks. Motivation naturally comes with “the perfect job”.

Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Leadership isn’t about being on top, it’s about being in the middle. This means that you not only have to learn how to manage those on your team, but also that you must develop the ability to manage up in order to get what you and the team need to succeed. On this episode, we share a few key principles for entering into difficult conversations with your manager: Approach the conversation with respect and assume the best. Have your supporting facts in order and make your case clearly. Aim for small wins and build from there.

This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Right now, Indeed is offering our listeners a free seventy-five dollar credit to boost your job post – which means more quality candidates will see it, fast. Offer valid through September 30. Learn more at Indeed.com/creative. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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At some point, we’ve all heard “Don’t worry about motivation. Just do it!” While that advice is well-meaning, it misses the mark, and here’s why: You’re motivated to do something whether you realize it or not. If you’re procrastinating, that action is motivated by something, even if you don’t know what it is. If you spend three evenings working late to refine a project that few people care about, it’s motivated by something, even if you can’t identify it. By better understanding what it is that truly drives us, we can unlock ways of approaching our work in a more meaningful way. That brings me to my point: you can’t wait for your tasks to motivate you, you need to bring motivation to your tasks. Searching for the perfect job is like chasing vapor. We all have to do work that we may not enjoy. However, once you begin to better understand the themes that drive deep engagement and fulfillment in your life, you can learn to structure your work so that you are bringing that motivational energy to your tasks more consistently. That’s when things really unlock for you. On this episode, I share a few key insights from the beginning of my new book http://themotivationcode.com/ (The Motivation Code)to help unlock why motivation is critical, and how to begin to leverage it daily. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. For a limited time, get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership at Skillshare.com/accidental.   The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The best way to ensure that your most important work gets done is to dedicate time to doing it. See if this scenario sounds familiar: you sit down to do your work with your coffee, and fire up your laptop. First, you check your e-mail, looking for any potential fires that have cropped up overnight, spend about ten minutes addressing those urgent matters, then set about actually doing the work you need to get done for the day. About five minutes later, someone pings you on email and asks for a few moments of your time to look at something over a video chat. You agree, and before you know it you have to run off to another video meeting with a colleague to talk about an important project. The same pattern repeats over and over throughout the day, and by the time you close down your laptop for the day, you realize that the big, important work you intended to tackle today has been pushed off until tomorrow, or worse, that you’ll have to do the work at home in order to meet your deadline. In truth, you didn’t really do anything wrong. You were responsive, responsible, and present in everything you did. The problem is that while you were busy responding to all of the urgent stimuli in your environment, you were neglecting the less urgent, but much more important work that will add true, long-term value. Whether you work in an office or on your own, it’s critical that you learn to build barriers around your time and dedicate focused efforts to your most important work. The best way I’ve discovered to do this is to establish chunks of time dedicated to specific tasks. What are time chunks? While I am a big fan of making lists for tasks (and am a big adherent to the GTD philosophy), I find that my calendar is often my friend when I’m trying to tackle large, complex projects. As such, whenever I have ongoing work that will require deep, focused effort I tend to block off time on my calendar to work on them. How do you set them? 1. Look at your current projects, and choose one that will take a lot of deep, focused effort over a period of a few weeks or months. 2. Look at your calendar for a few open slots this week, and choose one that will give you plenty of time to focus on the project. 3. Block off the time on the calendar, with the title of the event being the project name or problem you’ll be working on. This is important, because without something on your calendar your time will always be negotiable. 4. Stick with the plan. Don’t fall prey to temptation at the last minute, or compromise in order to squeeze in a meeting. Sure, there will be exceptions, but in general try to treat this time chunk just like you would a meeting with someone you respect. (It is, after all, a meeting with yourself.) 5. Spend the last five minutes of your time chunk determining where you’ll go next with the project. Make sure that you have a clear starting point the next time you pick up your work, as that will make it much easier to gain traction and use your time wisely. 6. At the end of every time chunk, set your next one. Look for an opening in your calendar when you can continue your progress, while you have some momentum. It may work best for you to have pre-established chunks of time on your calendar for specific tasks. (For example, I know that 6-7a each morning is my study time, that certain times are dedicated to developing content, and certain times are reserved for client calls. That prevents schedule whiplash from creeping into my weeks.) Many of us lack the kind of latitude over our schedule that we’d like to have, but all of us have some discretion about how we spend our time. The best way to prevent distractions and make steady progress on your most important work is to dedicate predictable time to it. This episode is sponsored by Caveday. Caveday leads group focus sessions for a worldwide community everyday on Zoom. Accidental Creative listeners can try a free, three hour cave with promo code...

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Workloads and expectations are increasing. It’s not a cliché, it’s a fact. It’s the single biggest (confidential) complaint that I hear when spending time with companies. Before the COVID shutdown, I was speaking at a conference in Florida, and in the short Q&A at the end of my talk a man stood and said “We are doing more with less. We have fewer people than ever, but our project load continues to increase. However, the quality of our work is not allowed to suffer. What should I do?” Great question. Tough question. The first thing to realize is that if this is how you feel, you’re not alone. At all. In fact, you’re the norm. Many recent studies have explored the increasing workload and simultaneously decreasing engagement of employees, and the trend is frightening. Creative pros have never been more busy, and simultaneously less engaged with their work. One study found that 75% of creatives believe they are not living up to their full creative potential. Some say the fastest growing contingency in the workplace is a group being dubbed “malicious cooperatives”. They do what they need to in order to keep their job, but they secretly harbor hope that their company will fail. Huh? So what are some practical ways to deal with the increasing workload expectations and decreasing resources? Know when to celebrate. It’s hard to be thrilled at the completion of a project when the very next instant your manager unloads a new pile of expectations on you. When super busy, celebration is often the first thing to go because it seems so… unnecessary. But it’s not! It’s crucial to have milestones that you can point to both for your own sense of accomplishment and for the sake of your team’s sense of progress. It also helps keep your work and your days from blending together into one long, run-on sentence. Tip: Establish when you will celebrate the work that you’ve accomplished, and stick to your plan. Know where you’ll begin. When dealing with creative work – turning your thoughts into value – it’s sometimes difficult to find the edges. It’s hard to know exactly when something is good enough, because there’s always room for improvement. Similarly, it’s challenging to get started on your work, because you’re often making it up as you go along. Thus, I’d encourage you (and your team) to always end your work each day with a clear understanding of where you’ll pick it up the next. That way you have a natural point of traction to help you get started. Tip: Choose at the end of each work day where and how you’ll begin the work tomorrow. Don’t be afraid to talk about the pressure. No one likes to be seen as a whiner, so sometimes these unseen (but strongly felt) pressures can stay locked up inside because we don’t want to burden others. However, simply creating an environment of permission to talk about the pressure can help mitigate it. No, the work isn’t going to go away, but if everyone (including your manager) is looped in on the team dynamic then it can sometimes help provide context for how to overcome it. Tip: Have frequent conversations about how you feel about the work and the pressure, and be brutally honest. The workload isn’t going away. This isn’t just a temporary artifact of a struggling economy, it’s mass-scale experimentation with a new way to do business remotely in the connected economy. To thrive moving forward, you and I need to develop some tools to deal with the pressure. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Right now, Indeed is offering our listeners a free seventy-five dollar credit to boost your job post – which means more quality candidates will see it, fast. Learn more at Indeed.com/creative. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Have you ever walked into a company’s headquarters and passed an enormous marble wall engraved with the company’s values? There it is, in all its permanence and glory, greeting employees each day and reminding them: “THIS IS WHO WE ARE!” Except, it’s not always. It’s who they were, once. Most people walk right past that wall without even paying it a moment of notice. They’re numb to it, and it doesn’t really hold any sway over their everyday behavior. Your culture isn’t defined by a set of tenets or a plaque on the wall. It’s defined by what you do. If you say that you value boldness but always make the most comfortable decision, then people will cease to be bold. If you say that you value customer service, but you are always snickering and telling stories about how annoying your customers are, then you will train your culture to devalue its customers. If you say that you value truth telling, but you get defensive every time someone attempts to offer a piece of constructive feedback, you will cultivate a reactive, closed-minded culture. This kind of hypocrisy is demoralizing. However, with clear ground rules and a stable culture around your team, people know they have the support they need to take risks. Your team’s experience of you is its experience of the company. Period. Full stop. When cultural expectations aren’t well defined, people tend to be very conservative out of a fear of getting it wrong. Dee Hock, founder and former CEO of Visa, once said, “Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behavior.” However, you cannot impose a culture on a team. Great cultures are grown from the ground up. A culture mandated from on high will fit like a suit that’s three sizes too large, never quite cut to size. Because cultures are grown, you must treat yours like a garden. Just like a good gardener, you aggressively fertilize the aspects of your team’s culture that you want in abundance and diligently prune the things you want to get rid of. This requires constant attention on your part, because if you allow a few errant behaviors to slide, you will eventually find your entire garden choked with weeds. Prune the “Ghost Rules” Ella was a successful manager at a very large company. I was challenging her to think in a new way about a tricky problem she was attempting to solve, but when I offered my thought, she quickly responded, “Nope—that won’t work here.” I paused, a little stunned at her abruptness, and asked, “Why not?” She looked at me as if collecting her thoughts, and after a few moments she replied, “Hmm. Good question.” After further dissection, we realized that Ella’s response had been hardwired into her by a previous manager, who often had strong, fear-based opinions about new ideas. “That won’t work here” was a common reaction to many of Ella’s fresh thoughts, and over time she began to adopt these opinions as hard fact. “Simple, clear purpose and principles give rise to complex and intelligent behavior. Complex rules and regulations give rise to simple and stupid behavior.” – Dee Hock What Ella had come up against are what I call ghost rules, or invisible limitations that people or teams place upon themselves for no good reason. Sometimes these rules become baked-in organizational assumptions about what is and isn’t possible, and the net result is that the team artificially limits the places it looks for ideas or value. In order for your team to feel freedom to do its best work, regularly prune ghost rules from your life and your team’s culture. Following are a few examples of ghost rules I frequently see. What Will and Won’t Work? A manager from a large company once told me that he was instructed not to pursue a particular idea because “someone tried that back in the 1980s, and it didn’t work.” Apart from the laws of physics, a lot of things have changed in the past thirty years. It’s...

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Robert Glazer is the author of the best-selling book https://amzn.to/3bb9xOW (Elevate) and the new book https://amzn.to/2YPDQpj (Friday Forward), and is also the founder and CEO of Acceleration Partners. He believes that there are four fundamental capacities that everyone must develop in order to thrive in work and life: Spiritual Capacity: This is your connection to a core set of values, guiding principles, and deep sense of self. Without it, you are a rudderless ship drifting with the tide. Intellectual Capacity: This is your capacity to use your mind to solve problems, remain resilient, and spot opportunities. Physical Capacity: This is how you develop your body and care for your physical self so that you are able to perform at your peak at all times. Emotional Capacity: This is how you engage with the world around you, with your peers, and with those you care about. In this interview, Robert shares some practical tips for developing each of these four capacities, some watch points for when you are in danger of failing to mind them, and some practices to help you sustain performance. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity and two free months of Premium Membership at Skillshare.com/AC.   The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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“I have a certain set of skills,” Liam Neeson’s character threatens over the phone in the action movie Taken. OK, though those particular skills are slightly different than the ones offered up in Josh Kaufman’s bestseller The Personal MBA, those who develop mastery of these business fundamentals can operate with the same level of confidence. Anyone who wants to succeed in the marketplace needs a grasp of the basics of doing business. Knowledge gaps can be costly, and even small business owners or solopreneurs who grasp the fundamentals will have a huge advantage over their competitors. In this interview, Josh shares insights he’s discovered in the ten years since the book’s publication, and how we can each deal with the uncertainty that this current environment offers. This episode is sponsored by Givewell. Get your first donation matched – up to $100 – when you select [Podcast] and [The Accidental Creative] at Givewell.org. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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My new book releases October 6th. Below, learn how to get the full MCODE assessment when you pre-order the book. There are things we experience our entire life, but never really have words to describe. For example, there are probably certain easy tasks that you simply can’t seem to get motivated to do, but others – that are much more difficult and less attractive – you are willing to tackle at a moment’s notice. Similarly, there are probably certain people in your life or on your team that you simply can’t seem to get along with, while other relationships just “click”. I’ve come to learn that many of these unseen, yet routinely experienced dynamics are due to how you and everyone around you are uniquely motivated. About four years ago, my friend Rod asked me to take a motivation assessment he’d been working on. I was not excited. I’ve seen plenty of assessments, and frankly, most of them were not very useful to me. However, Rod promised me this would be different. And, in short, he was right. I was blown away. The assessment that Rod and an entire ream of researchers had developed was founded upon over 50 years of research and over a million achievement stories. They had discovered that there are twenty-seven unique themes of motivation, and that depending on a person’s top handful of themes, certain work or relationships might bring them to life or make them wish they were dead. It was through this assessment that I discovered that my top motivaitonal themes are: Make An Impact Meet The Challenge Influence Behavior

So, when I can’t see the impact of my work, or when I don’t have a discrete and pressing challenge to tackle, or when I can’t see the direct influence of my work on the thoughts and behavior of others, I disengage. However, when these three things are present, I completely come alive and do some of my best work. Because of this knowledge, I’ve been able to resolve recurring conflict in relationships, re-structure some of my tasks so they are more engaging, and change the way I think about outcomes so that they are more aligned with what naturally drives me. In short, it’s been life-changing. I want you to have the same experience I had, so I’ve arranged to allow anyone who pre-orders The Motivation Code (before October 6th) to have access to the full MCODE assessment! All you have to do is pre-order the book through your favorite retailer, then register your pre-order so that we can send you a code to take the full assessment. I believe understanding what uniquely drives you will unlock untold potential, engagement, and deep productivity in your life, your relationships, your family, and your community. I can’t wait to share the book with you. This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Right now, Indeed is offering our listeners a free seventy-five dollar credit to boost your job post – which means more quality candidates will see it, fast. Learn more at Indeed.com/creative. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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One key element of any healthy culture is that people understand how to give effective feedback to one another. Because creative work can feel a bit subjective, feedback can be a difficult thing to navigate, so many people default to being overly prescriptive or controlling. However, while specific, tactical feedback might achieve short-term results, it often creates bigger problems over the long-term. Instead, we need to learn how to offer feedback in a way that helps the team (or our clients) think in new and better ways about the work. On this episode, we share three core principles for offering better feedback: Honor the process The end result of a project is just the final piece of a very long process. When you offer suggestions without first understanding how someone arrived at that result, you are negating their entire process, and the decision-making that went into it. You have to allow them the opportunity to share not only the end result of their thinking, but their thought process itself. Ask better questions Instead of being prescriptive, ask questions that help the other person articulate why they made the decisions they did. Also, ask questions that help them think about other pathways they could have taken, and where those pathways may have led. “Why did you choose to…” or “How did you arrive at…” are wonderful conversation starters to get them talking about the why behind what you are seeing or experiencing. Invite them to re-direct Once you’ve had a thorough conversation about the process, begin asking them questions that nudge them in what you think might be a more helpful direction. For example, “what if instead of doing X, you chose Y? How might that change your process?” or “Can you think of a way that we could…?” These are open-ended questions that value the other person and also invite them into the process of re-directing the work in a meaningful way. Yes, we’re all pros and we need to be able to deal with difficult feedback. And, it doesn’t serve anyone when we are overly-prescriptive and lack empathy in how we interact with the work of others. Be a pro, and be intentional about giving feedback that helps them think not only about what to do, but why they should do it that way. This episode is sponsored by Freshly. Get $40 off your first two orders at Freshly.com/creative. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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As a leader, your voice speaks much louder than your actual words. Your voice isn’t just what you say, it’s how your team hears you, and the collective tone your actions and communication take. Does your voice represent you and your message as well as it could? Over time, the best leaders are able to make their ideas and influence resonate far outside their own ambits. Here are six ways to get your voice to carry throughout your entire organization. BE AUTHENTICYes, it’s an overused word, but I think that’s because our idea of what’s “authentic” is too narrow. It’s not just about transparency or vulnerability, it’s also about letting the people you lead see what you truly care about. Resonant leaders are genuinely invested in their work, and it shows. It’s easy for team members to see that they truly have “skin in the game” and care not only about short-term results, but also about long-term impact. As Tim Schigel, cofounder of the social sharing platform ShareThis, told me, “Authenticity doesn’t have to amplify.” When you’re truly invested in your message, you don’t have to shout. It’s apparent to others, and it lends credibility to your leadership. To begin cultivating authenticity, ask yourself, “Can the people on my team see what I stand for, or do they have to guess?” BE UNIQUEAuthenticity alone isn’t sufficient. Resonant leaders have the courage to make clear decisions, even in the face of uncertainty. The word “decide” comes from the Latin word that means “to cut off.” You’re choosing to cut off other options and commit to one direction, even when you’re uncertain. However, many leaders prefer to keep their options open for as long as possible out of fear of getting it wrong and failing. But you have to be willing to commit to a path by following your intuition and making bold, unique decisions with the best information you have available. This isn’t a license to be foolish or rash, but a recognition that every needlessly delayed decision has a trickle-down effect on your team’s focus and productivity. You need to stand apart from those seeking safety over impact. To begin cultivating uniqueness, ask, “Where am I being ambiguous about a decision, and how might it be affecting my team?” BE PRECISEWhen faced with a difficult choice, some leaders go into “protect mode” rather than being precise with their language. In order to make your ideas resonate, you can’t leave room for misinterpretation about where you stand on an issue or what you expect from team members. Be like a laser, not a lighthouse. A lighthouse tells ships where not to go, but provides no navigational guidance beyond helping them avoid danger areas. A laser, on the other hand, is precise, cutting, and directional. Your team needs to know what you expect of them, even when they don’t like it. Precise leaders can be polarizing, but in the end they make everyone’s job easier to navigate. To begin cultivating precision, ask, “Where are my instructions vague, and where am I being defensive rather than forthright with my ideas?” BE CONSISTENTYour voice won’t resonate if it isn’t consistent. Again, this sounds obvious on the surface, but meeting day-to-day challenges can make it difficult. If your work lacks a strong through-line, it can become easy to treat projects as one-off events rather than as a part of a bigger strategy. If you regularly send dissonant messages, it might be difficult for team members to anticipate how you’ll respond in a given situation. And that in turn can lead to paralysis. There should be consistency in the choices you make and a consonance to the way you communicate them. To cultivate consonance, ask, “Where am I being inconsistent, and how can I give my decision-making and communication more uniformity?” BE EMPATHETICHow deeply do you connect with your team? Is your leadership coming from a position of empathy, or are you trying to control behavior? Jeremy Pryor, co-founder of Epipheo Studios, told me that the

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Everyone loves to win. The accolades, attention, and rewards are addictive. However, if you’re trying to do the work you’re capable of doing, you’ll eventually fail. If you’re leading a team of capable, driven people who are stretching themselves creatively, you’re probably going to fail often to hit your mark. You will eventually fail. If you’re not failing every so often, you’re probably not trying hard enough.  After a failed project, many teams simply move forward to the next one, without a postmortem. This is a huge mistake. It’s important that you seize those failures and mistakes and turn them into growth moments for your team. Otherwise, people are likely to commit the same mistakes again. Some of the biggest coaching opportunities you’ll have are in the moments when an individual or the team has failed. Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary head basketball coach for Duke University, said in an interview: “My defining moments have usually been something where I’ve lost or where I’ve been knocked back.” At the end of the 1983 season, Duke lost by 43 in the ACC tournament. The program was in disarray and many thought that Coach K’s career was over. At dinner that night, someone raised his glass and said, “Here’s to forgetting about tonight.” Coach K stopped him and ordered him to put his glass down. Then he raised his own glass and said, “Here’s to never forgetting about tonight.” The following season, when the team arrived on October 15 for the first practice, the scoreboard over the court read 109–66, the final score of the tournament loss to Virginia. Players recounted that Coach K wanted them to never forget how it felt to get beat so thoroughly and to use it as fuel to give their best every day. Since that day, Duke has emerged as a premier basketball program, and Coach K largely points to that defining moment as the turning point. If you’re not failing every so often, you’re probably not trying hard enough. Here are a few questions to ask shortly after experiencing a failure. It’s very important that you couch this conversation as a desire to learn from the experience and grow, not as a trial of competence: Why do you think you/we fell short of our objectives? Stop to consider what happened, and strive to ensure that the team is telling a consistent story about what actually happened. Often, team members will have different perspectives on what led to the failure. Make certain that there is a common understanding of what contributed to the failure to hit the mark. What did we learn from this experience? Try to capture whatever was learned from the shortcoming so that you are able to institutionalize that learning and prevent the same mistakes next time. Were there any assumptions that were limiting your thinking? Were there any faulty lines of logic that led to miscommunication? Whatever the problems, make certain that the team understand where things went off the rails. What will you do different next time? Failure is only a huge problem if (a) it takes you out of the game, or (b) it’s repeated in the same way more than once. Strive to never fail twice in the same way. Failure the first time is inevitable, failure twice in the same way is a function of poor leadership. Was the failure one of effort, decision making, or skill? How can you avoid it again? (By the way, failures of effort require special treatment, because it’s the one kind of failure that is completely avoidable.) If you were me, what would you do to prevent these mistakes in the future? Solicit input from your team members about how you can prevent the same mistakes next time. Don’t assume that they will share their advice with you unless given explicit permission to do so. After a failure, team members are often hesitant to speak up until they know the temperature of the room. Give them permission to speak truth to you, and to offer their advice for how to succeed in the future. Strive to never fail twice in the same way....

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We live in uncertain times. My friend Andy posted a photo of a sign from 2015 today that asked “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” Well, I seriously doubt that any of us would have answered “living through a global pandemic with an uncertain ending.” No matter what your role, it’s important that you learn to plan for uncertainty. You can’t predict what will happen, but you can prepare yourself to deal with unexpected events in a more productive way. On this episode, we share three core principles for planning for uncertainty: Ask better questions. Many people don’t ask questions because they don’t want to know the answer. However, it’s only when things go awry that you fully realize the quality of the questions you’ve been asking. In this episode, I share how to ask the “what’s the pin in the grenade?” question to help you prepare for unexpected negative events. Build your runway. You need to know that you have the resources needed to bridge from here to there. Many businesses will go under during this pandemic because they weren’t able to survive the downturn, but those who make it through will be far better positioned on the other side to take advantage of the rebound. Protect the main thing. Mission is king. You need to adjust and adapt in whatever way is necessary to protect your mission and abide by your values.

Uncertainty is inevitable, but how we deal with it makes all the difference between a successful outcome and a disastrous one. This episode is sponsored by Givewell. Get your first donation matched – up to $100 – when you select [Podcast] and [The Accidental Creative] at Givewell.org. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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You need other people in your life to help you see yourself fully. You only see a certain perspective, but people around you can help you see opportunities for growth and advancement that are invisible to you. But right now, community isn’t naturally coming to you. You have to go to community. On this episode, we share three questions that you should be asking someone in your life you trust. If you are a manager, these three questions can help you unlock areas of growth for yourself and your team, and can illuminate places where you’re slipping into ruts or over-controlling the team. The three questions are: What am I doing right now that I should stop doing? What is something obvious that you don’t think I see? How can I be of help right now?

This need for community is also why I’ve started Creative Leader Roundtable, a three-week workshop for leaders and teams. Now, more than at any point in recent history, we need others to help us navigate. Learn more about the workshop, or see how you can bring your entire team. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Over the past several months, conversations about race and justice have been thrust to the forefront of culture. However, these conversations can be fraught with challenges, especially in the workplace. How do we have meaningful conversations that build stronger relationships and stronger organizations? On this episode, founder of Undivided Chuck Mingo shares how leaders can be an ally in the workplace, how we can lead with greater empathy and understanding for those whose experiences are different from our own, and how we can elevate difficult conversations while cultivating trust and strong relationships. This episode is sponsored by Literati, the subscription book club that makes it easy to find unique and interesting books for your kids. For a limited time, go to Literati.com/creative for 25% off your first two orders. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We are all learning a new way of working. In truth, this transition has been coming for a while, but was dramatically accelerated by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of us are now working from home, or at least working in remote locations away from our co-workers, which means that we need to develop a new set of habits and rituals to help us thrive. Laura Vanderkam has just published a book called The New Corner Office in which she shares best practices gleaned from years of research into productivity habits. In our interview, she shared a few key insights that can help you be more focused, more productive, and more energetic throughout your day. Here are a few of my key takeaways from our conversation: Manage by task, not by time. When you are in the habit of going to an office every day, there are some external prompts for what constitutes a full day of work. (Is it 5:30PM yet?) However, when you work from home, your schedule might be different every day depending on what’s happening in your household. Laura suggests that, instead of focusing on time as the key metric for a full day of work, we focus on the accomplishment of tasks. Once we’ve checked those tasks off, we’ve completed our work for the day. Make sure your virtual meetings have a focus and a “why”. When everyone was first working from home, virtual meetings sprouted on the calendar like weeds. We were trying desperately to make sure we were all connected and “in the loop”. However, now that we are settling into a new rhythm, it’s time to start pruning some of those non-essential meetings from the calendar and curating the set of meetings that are truly helpful and meaningful. Do all of your meetings have an apparent “why?”, and is there a clear agenda? Work on transitions. When your desk is ten feet from your breakfast table, it can be a challenge to feel like there are any true “transitions” in your day. Laura says it’s critically important to develop some transitional rituals to signal to yourself that you are moving into a new mode of work. For example, maybe it’s having a coffee ritual that signals it’s time to start the workday, or maybe you need to change into different clothes to signal that the “professional” part of your day is beginning. Whatever your method, having transitions in place can be a strong signal to your brain that you are now in “focus mode”. These are just a few of the key insights I took from our conversation. Whatever your job, make sure that your systems and rituals are set up to ensure that you’re spending your most productive hours doing your most important work, and that you are marking your days so that you have a sense of rhythm about your work. This episode is sponsored by Freshly. Join almost one and a half million satisfied customers and skip the shopping, prepping, cooking, and clean up. Get forty dollars off your first two orders at Freshly.com/creative. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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In American football, the red zone is the area on each end of the field inside the twenty yard line. What happens in this area is a key determining factor in a team’s success or failure. Teams that easily advance the ball down the field but can’t score in the red zone will lose games. Teams that play great open-field defense but can’t prevent scores in the red zone will lose. Performance in this very small sliver of the field often determines the overall success or failure of the team. As you examine your life, and especially your creative work, it’s important to be able to identify the re-zone activities that will really make a difference and generate forward momentum during the particular season you’re in. Some qualities that mark re-zone activities are the following: Activities that you can uniquely do or add value to because of your position or expertise.While there are a lot of ways you could be spending your time, there are a certain number of activities that you are probably the best person for. Which of these activities should you engage in every day? Activities that increase your personal capacity to generate ideas, such as study, purposeful ideation, or intelligence gathering. These are typically the first to go during a busy or stressful season. Are you taking the time to sharpen your mind and your creative intuition? Activities that provide cohesion or creative traction for your team and increase future capacity. For leaders, these include activities such as clarifying objectives and encouraging your team members. Are you taking time every single day to do the small things that make a big difference? Activities that feed your energy, such as adequate sleep, exercise, or spiritual practice. These are most often neglected during busy or stressful times. You must take care of yourself. Which activities do you need to focus on during this season to ensure that you are prepared for the uncertainty and challenges you will face? Your “red zone” activities are likely to be made up of some combination of these qualities. Take some time this week to consider what activities you are uniquely positioned to engage in, and that – if done daily – will generate significant momentum in your life and work. The most accomplished people aren’t always the smartest or the most talented. Rather, they are the ones who do small, important things every single day for long periods of time. They succeed in the red zone. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity and two free months of Premium Membership at Skillshare.com/AC.   The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Focus is the most valuable tool you have as a creative professional. How you define problems, and allocate attention to them, will often determine your success or failure. However, many organizations allow significant “attentional drains” to infiltrate their culture and rob team members of much needed mental bandwidth. On this episode, we share three valuable strategies from Herding Tigers for building attentional buffers to protect the bandwidth of the team, and ways to talk to your manager about protecting your own attentional bandwidth. This episode is sponsored by Literati, the subscription book club that makes it easy to find unique and interesting books for your kids. For a limited time, go to Literati.com/creative for 24% off your first two orders. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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This week’s episode is about the impotance of rituals. You make your rituals, then your rituals make you. What is the first thing you do in the morning? The last thing you do at night? Your first action when taking on a new project? Your impulse when receiving good (or bad) news? If you asked those questions to many highly productive people, they’ll have immediate answers. Not because they are micro-obsessive about their schedules, but because over time they’ve developed predictable rituals around key areas of their life and work. Over time, they’ve learned that the messiness of creative work requires a supportive structure, lest everything devolve into chaos.  According to Orson Welles, “The enemy of art is the absence of limitations.” Rituals provide necessary limitation on your focus, time, and energy so that you can delve deeply into the disorder of creative problem solving. Rituals are important for several reasons. First, they provide solid ground when facing the uncertainty of your daily work. A ritual is like a bucket you can fill over and over again rather than trying to decide which bucket you should use. A good, solid set of rituals provide context for your work so that you can spend the majority of your energy focusing on the problems you’re trying to solve. Second, rituals help you forge healthy habits. When you return to the same ritual over and over, you are reinforcing the kinds of behavior you want to see manifested in your life and work, which creates a kind of infrastructure or supporting scaffolding for your creative process. Be mindless about the non-essentials so you can be mindful about the essentials. Finally, ritual helps you achieve flow in your work. Just like your body adapts to a regular bedtime and a predictable sleep ritual, your mind will also learn to settle into regular rhythms and rituals related to your work. If you always focus on specific activities at certain times of the day, or if you dedicate blocks of time and energy for your ritual, you are far more likely to settle into a state of immersion in your work. You make your rituals, then your rituals make you. Here are a few rituals that have served me well over time: – The first thing I do when I wake in the morning is prep my coffee and breakfast – the same thing every day, by the way – and spend an hour reading, thinking, and writing. It’s become such a ritual that it’s now a habit. Most of my best ideas for my work come out of this time. I couldn’t function without it. So, how do you begin your day? Maybe your ritual includes immediately putting on your running shoes and getting in a workout. Maybe it’s sitting in your favorite chair and meditating with a cup of coffee. Maybe it’s hitting the floor and doing ten pushups before you leave your bedroom. Having some structure to the start of your day immediately sends a signal to your mind that it’s time to get moving. It helps demarcate your time, especially when so many of us are living and working in the same space. – I listen to the same music over and over when I’m writing. In fact, I’ve written all of my books while listening to Ambient Music Therapy’s Deep Meditation Experience. When that album kicks on, my brain knows it’s time to start writing. I also light a candle when I write and only when I write. Again, it’s a small ritual that signals that this is deep, important work and that this moment is important. What small things can you ritualize to infuse meaning into the mundane tasks you engage in every day? It could be sitting in a certain chair when you do a specific kind of work, or using a certain pen only when you are brainstorming. It’s up to you. The value of a ritual is the meaning that it creates in your life and workflow, and it doesn’t matter if anyone else thinks you’re crazy for it. – When I’ve signed all of my book deals (including the most recent one, which releases in October) I eat a packet of Ramen noodles for lunch. Why? Because I...

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This is part four of a series on everyday bravery. If there is one place where bravery is most needed (and often most lacking) it’s in the workplace. Brave people create brave workplaces, and brave workplaces ultimately change the world around them. However, in order for a culture to operate by principles of bravery, individuals must be willing to engage in brave actions every day. Here are a few principles for engaging bravely in your workplace: Own your words and actions. ​Be an individual with a backbone. If you say or do something, accept the consequences, whether good or bad, for your choices. Never throw a teammate under the bus. Taking accountability for your actions does a few things. First, it signals to others that they can trust you to shoulder responsibility, and to do the right thing. This is no small matter. If others sense that you’re playing games and that your primary interest is in protecting yourself and your reputation above actually performing, they will tolerate you but will never trust you. Second, it removes the stigma of falling short. If we are doing difficult things, we are going to fail occasionally. A workplace culture in which nothing difficult is attempted requires no bravery. Only teams on a mission to do difficult things need to be brave. Taking accountability for poor results, and attempting to fix them, is a signal of authenticity and courage, and it pushes others to do the same. This is the essence of good leadership. We can never tolerate blame shifting.   Is there something you need to take accountability for today? Encourage​.This literally means to “put courage into” others. Brave people embolden the people around them, speak words of affirmation to them, and cheer them on to be their best. They are not threatened by the successes of others.  Cowards hold back encouragement because they believe that life is a zero-sum game, and that if someone else gets attention for something it will only tarnish their own standing with the group. However, brave people willingly and truthfully put courage into others, recognizing that we need one another in order to succeed. Brave people are outward focused. Cowards are obsessed with themselves and their own needs and feelings.  Who can you encourage today? Be proactive about putting courage into others.  Embrace personal growth, even when you look foolish.​Some people fear trying new things, learning new skills, or tackling new kinds of projects because they fear that if they fail they will be “found out”. Brave people know that occasional failure is simply a part of doing hard things. To grow, you have to stretch yourself to the point of failure. Now, you have to balance this with wisdom, meaning that you shouldn’t attempt things that are obviously well beyond your present ability. (Just because I’ve climbed rocks in an indoor, controlled facility doesn’t mean I’m ready to free climb half-dome.) Intentionally stretch yourself, have uncomfortable but necessary conversations, and push yourself to learn new skills even when you will appear foolish to those around you for a while. What do you need to do in order to grow yourself? Share your ideas, even when they aren’t received.​You cannot control whether someone else likes your ideas, but you can control whether or not you share them. The regret over inaction is too high a price to pay. If you are in a meeting and you have an intuition that something might work, share it. Share your insights with a peer who is struggling with a difficult problem. So many brilliant breakthroughs are lost because someone was too afraid to share what they were seeing with the rest of the group. Yes, you might be rejected. Yes, it might actually be a bad idea. But, your small insight might be the key to unlocking a bigger insight within the group. What idea have you been holding onto that you need to bravely share with your team? Refuse to compromise your values, even when it costs you...

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As I mentioned a few episodes ago, if I had to choose one gift to impart upon every person I meet – one master key that unlocks their potential – it would be bravery. We need radical bravery in our workplaces, our schools, our neighborhoods, and – God help us – in our politics. If more people committed to making brave choices daily, we would see stronger, more effective teams, less corruption, less unhealthy conflict, and more progress on the societal issues that truly matter. Organizations need leaders committed to cultivating a culture of bravery, and who themselves are making brave choices in the face of uncertainty. The marketplace needs more business owners who are willing to step up and do the right thing for their employees and their communities, even at the risk of personal cost. And, society needs more people to cultivate brave, empathetic relationships with people who think differently from them. More than almost any other place, our workplaces need brave leaders. We need people who are committed to standing in the gap, protecting their people, and fighting for the mission of the organization even at personal expense.  Here are a few principles that brave leaders abide by: Brave leaders assume accountability for their actions. Many leaders revel in the glory that comes with success, but brave leaders are also willing to put themselves on the line and be accountable when their actions fail. Many are familiar with Dwight Eisenhower’s letter to the Allied troops on the eve of the D-Day invasion in June 1944. It begins, “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you.” Inspiring leadership, for sure. However, fewer people are aware that Eisenhower wrote a second letter, only to be delivered in the event of an unsuccessful landing. “Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.” Brave leaders are willing to accept responsibility for their actions, including their failures. Are you avoiding accountability for your actions, or pointing fingers at others when you fall short? Brave leaders have the uncomfortable conversation.​ It’s far easier to avoid difficult chats with direct reports, but brave leaders recognize that it’s more important to be effective than to be liked. It’s never comfortable to discuss performance issues, to deliver uncomfortable news, or to challenge someone’s attitude, but these are the kinds of conversations that brave leaders (cautiously and wisely) step into because they know that their position demands it. Is there an uncomfortable conversation you need to have, but have been avoiding?  Brave leader speak truth to power. ​As a leader, you must be willing to defend important principles when you perceive they are being “ground up” in the organizational gears. Cowards “go with the flow”, especially when  speaking up might mean losing their organizational standing, but brave leaders are willing to abide by their principles even at personal cost. As my friend riCardo Crespo often says, “you can’t lie to the person in the mirror.” Brave leaders can look themselves in the face every day knowing that they are living out their principles and standing up for what they believe to be proper and just. What principles are you willing to defend, even if it affects your reputation or position? Brave leaders put their resources where their mouth is. ​Cowards say bold things, but are always hedging their bets. Brave leaders are willing to put themselves on the line by resourcing the initiatives they believe to be best for the organization and the people it serves. If you aren’t putting resources behind what...

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This is the second episode of a series on the importance of bravery. Just to re-cap, in the last episode I gave this definition of bravery: Bravery exists whenever someone a person engages in right action at the potential expense of their own comfort.​ Cowardice, on the other hand, exists when someone chooses self-protection at the expense of right action. It is possible to appear brave to others while actually behaving in a cowardly way, or to appear a coward to others while doing the brave thing.  In order for something to be considered an act of bravery, it must be sourced in the desire to do what’s right even at the risk of personal cost. Which begs the question: how do you decide what’s ​right?​ On this episode, I want to share a few distinctions between everyday bravery and cowardice, then on upcoming episodes I’m going to share the specifics of what this means, especially in a work context. Understand that every single person at times exhibits remarkable bravery, and also cowardice. This isn’t something we all get right a hundred percent of the time. However, we all have the ability to choose our response to our circumstances, and simply stopping to consider what “right action in the face of discomfort” means can help parse brave action from cowardice. So, here are a few qualities of brave people versus cowards, and how they play out in work and life: Brave people are protective, cowards exploit.​ If your actions are to protect someone or something vulnerable, whether a person or ideal, then there’s a good chance it’s right action. However, if your intent is to take advantage of someone or to deprive them of something they might otherwise enjoy, it’s certainly not. Now, please understand that I’m not talking about marketplace competition. When we compete in the marketplace, we agree to certain rules, one of which is that someone will likely lose the competition. I’m talking about leveraging advantages to exploit those who don’t even know they are being exploited. That’s the definition of cowardice, because it’s hidden action that if revealed would look really bad. Are you exploiting others? Brave people reveal truth at the right time, cowards conceal it.​ Brave people know that the truth is never really a threat, but even if it costs them their livelihood or relationship, the cost of inaction is simply too vast to take the easy way out. This gets to the issue of character. A willingness to face the truth is critical if we want to exhibit everyday bravery. Is there any place where you are hiding from or concealing the truth?  Brave people consider context and scale, cowards think right now. ​The brave choice is the one that takes into account nuance and context, is empathetic, and scales in a positive way. Cowardly action is only concerned with immediate consequences. My actions today have resonant consequences tomorrow, and next month, and next year. Brave people think about those consequences, not just getting what they can while they can. Are you thinking about the downstream consequences of your actions?  Brave people are principle-driven, cowards go with their gut.​ Brave people have a framework for making decisions that is so ingrained that their actions in the face of adversity are almost automatic. Cowards just “wing it” and do whatever feels best in the moment. Do you have a framework for making decisions, or a set of principles that guides your behavior? In Herding Tigers, I offered a framework for developing one as a leader, which is essential so that your team knows where you stand and can follow you with confidence. What are your guiding principles?  Brave people face consequences, cowards blame others.​ Brave people are willing to be known by their choices, and are willing to face the consequences of their actions, whether good or bad. On the eve of the D-Day invasion, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower wrote two letters. The first praised the brave men who stormed the beaches

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Is the grass truly greener on the other side of the fence? Many creative pros spend their career wondering if there is a better path for them, or whether they’re missing out on something that everyone else knows about. This can result in hopping from job to job, or never really fully embracing the opportunities in front of you because you’re always “hedging your bets” and looking for a better option. Patrick McGinnis coined the phrase Fear Of Missing Out in a college paper several years ago, and he’s just released a book by the same title to help us work through our anxiety about forgoing opportunities. Here are a few key ideas to help us avoid FOMO: Move Toward, Not Away From I’ve had many conversations with people who never seem to be satisfied with their job. They hop from company to company thinking that there has to be some place that will better mesh with what they’re looking for. The problem is that these people are often chasing vapor. They are perpetually moving away from something they dislike, not something they aspire toward. People who thrive learn to move toward their ambitions and goals, not just away from discomfort. Is there any area of your life or career where you are simply moving away from discomfort rather than toward your goals? Be Decisive Another hallmark of thriving professionals is that they are willing to be decisive in the face of uncertainty. That doesn’t mean that they make foolish or rash decisions, however they don’t wait for absolute certainty before moving forward. Instead, they make decisions with the best information they have knowing that if they make a mistake they can typically navigate back on course. Is there an area where you are paralyzed because you are being indecisive? What decision do you need to make? Don’t Compare, Except To Improve There are two kinds of comparison, and one is harmful and one is beneficial. The beneficial kind of comparison is when we look at someone else’s performance in order to gain insights into how we can improve our own skills. By studying those who are great at their craft, we can see where we are deficient and establish a course of action to help us improve. The harmful kind of comparison is when we become envious about what someone else has, or fear that we are being “robbed” of opportunity because another person possesses something that we want. This can lead to bitterness, self-destruction, and eventual hopelessness. Compare yourself to others in order to improve, not to stew about what you’re missing out on. Don’t worry about what’s “out there”. Be present this week and tackle the opportunities in front of you. This episode is brought to you by Hoefler&Co, online at http://typography.com/accidental (typography.com). Right now, as an Accidental Creative listener, you can save 15% on your next font order by using the code “accidental” at checkout, when you visit typography.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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If I had to choose one gift to impart upon every person I meet – one master key that unlocks their potential – it would be bravery. We need radical bravery in our workplaces, our schools, our neighborhoods, and – God help us – in our politics. If more people committed to making brave choices daily, we would see stronger, more effective teams, less corruption, less unhealthy conflict, and more progress on the societal issues that truly matter. Organizations need leaders committed to cultivating a culture of bravery, and who themselves are making brave choices in the face of uncertainty. The marketplace needs more business owners who are willing to step up and do the right thing for their employees and their communities, even at the risk of personal cost. And, society needs more people to cultivate brave, empathetic relationships with people who think differently from them. My ambition with this manifesto is to inspire an epidemic of everyday bravery both in and out of the workplace. Bravery Is Not What You Think To begin, we need a good definition of what bravery actually ​is​. Most of our cultural reference points for bravery involve heroic actions like storming a beach, risking everything on an unlikely business deal, or casting caution to the wind on a massive career change. Yes, those actions ​can​ be brave, but the call to bravery is not just about mustering courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Bravery exists whenever someone a person engages in right action at the potential expense of their own comfort.​ Cowardice, on the other hand, exists when someone chooses self-protection at the expense of right action. It is possible to appear brave to others while actually behaving in a cowardly way, or to appear a coward to others while doing the brave thing. Others may not always know your internal considerations, and may filter your actions through their own biases. Bravery exists in an environment of high agency, and high optimism.​ When there is a lack of either agency (belief that individual actions can make a difference) or optimism (there’s a possible better future), the environment is ripe for potential cowardice. Leaders can help cultivate a culture of brave action by focusing on increasing both the level of perceived individual agency (by giving permission to speak and act), and the sense that a better future is possible for employees and for the organization as a whole (by tying decisions and actions back to core operating principles.) What bravery is: Bravery is doing the right thing, as best you know it, even when it’s the uncomfortable thing.​ It’s needed now more than ever in the marketplace, in the political realm, and in our schools and neighborhoods. Most bravery in the world is exhibited in small, everyday actions, not big efforts. Bravery is a choice, not a trait.​ People who choose to do the right thing in the face of personal cost are choosing to sacrifice their life and comfort for a better future. They are not superhuman. They are perhaps the most ​fully​ human. Bravery is always empathetic.​ It’s about the other, not about yourself. The other might be a person or a core principle, but the brave person is always looking outward when deciding. The coward looks inward and to his own interests. Bravery is action in spite of fear.​ People who act bravely feel fear and insecurity as much as everyone else. It’s just that they choose cause over comfort. Bravery is willingness to fail in the pursuit of what matters. T​ hose who choose bravery recognize the risks, and proceed because they are driven by deeper principles. What bravery is not: Bravery is not stupid risk.​ A brave person counts the cost, and decides to act because the cost of inaction is simply too vast to bear. Bravery is not bravado. M​ any people (especially some politicians) love to put bluster ahead of action. However, brave people do not feel the need to posture. Instead, they allow their actions to speak...

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The biggest challenge that we’re facing right now as creative pros is not necessarily economic or physical, it’s psychological. I believe that those who come through this season not only having survived, but ready to thrive, will be those who are able to adopt a mindset that is realistic yet focused on possibilities and not limitations. Yes, current circumstances are hitting everyone in different ways and are much more challenging for some than others. And, I want us to focus today on a few beliefs that I find creeping into the mindset of many people I’m chatting with these days, and hopefully identify them and learn to counter them before they rob us of our focus, our goals, and our sense of curiosity and possibility.  I’m tired of not being tired. That sounds like a strange thing, no? But really, it’s very normal and natural. As humans, we are wired for rhythm, which means that we thrive in cycles of tension and release. One of the dynamics that’s been causing grief among many friends and peers that I’ve been chatting with is that all of our days seem to run together. Every day is very similar to the last. There is no rhythm, no tension and release, no ups and downs. As a result, I want to challenge all of us to consider a few “lies” that I’ve been believing – or allowing to limit my thought process and approach to this season – and see if perhaps they might be affecting you as well.  Everything is subtraction.  This is a phrase I used with a friend who asked how things were going. What I meant was that, unlike in normal times, in the midst of this pandemic there is little opportunity for adding anything new and good to life. Instead, it’s mostly just subtraction. Good things are being taken away without the opportunity to add new things to the mix. This is a lie, but not obviously so. In fact, this is very much what it feels like. For example, in the core part of my business, which is traveling and working with clients and speaking to groups, I’ve only experienced the removal of opportunity, but not the possibility of new ones. In normal times, even when things were dry there was always the possibility of something good just around the corner. Now, it’s just subtraction. However, if I step back and look more holistically at life, it’s easy to see why this is a lie. So many wonderful things have been added to my life in the midst of this time that I didn’t even realize I was missing. We’ve been having very long family dinners each day where we get to re-connect with our kids without the rush of “I need to get to my homework.” My wife and I have been taking long walks in the evening. We’ve been able to connect with friends via virtual happy hours in a way that we just didn’t when everyone had so much going on.  So, when I say “everything is subtraction”, I really mean that only in a business sense. If I were to look at life as a whole, there have been many opportunities and gifts during this season. Yes, it’s hard, and I hope it ends as quickly as possible, and it’s certainly taking more of a toll on some than others, but it’s important that we be able to step back and consider the entire set of our experiences, and not just the painful ones. Where have you seen some semblance of good in the midst of this time? Spend a bit of time reflecting on it, even writing a few paragraphs about it, and see if you can find something to be grateful for even in these difficult times. This is the new normal We hear this all the time in the media, so much so that I’ve largely stopped paying attention to what they’re saying. There is no such thing as “the new normal”. Throughout history, humans have had to endure seasons of hardship and adaptation. Our great grandparents had to walk through a global depression, both world wars, multiple economic collapses, political revolutions, and much more. Each time, they didn’t say “well, I guess this is the new normal… we’ll be at war forever.” Yes, those events shaped them...

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This week’s Accidental Creative podcast features Michael Bungay Stanier discussing his book The Advice Trap. Have you ever been in a situation where someone offered unsolicited advice? “Let me tell you what you need to do…” How did it feel? If you’re like me, you were probably grateful that they wanted to help, but it put you in the awkward position of either refusing their advice or, if they were your manager, acting on it just to avoid offending them in spite of your better instincts. It’s tempting to fall into the “advice trap”, which is when we lead with advice-giving instead of pausing to listen to the other person, to consider what they really need, and to ask questions that help them arrive at the answer on their own. Not only is this a better way to ensure that we are truly helping the other person, but it’s also the best way to help them learn to solve problems on their own. Here are a few things I took away from my chat with Michael: Lead With Curiosity Ask a lot of questions. You should lead with your curiosity, not your advice. By asking a lot of questions, you will not only better understand what’s truly going on, but you will also help the other person learn to think through their problems in a more guided way. This is how a great manager (or peer) can build into team members in a lasting manner. Ask questions first, and let the other person sort through the problem in conversation with you. Release The Control One of the biggest temptations of a manager is to clamp down and attempt to control the output of the team. Brilliant, driven creative pros need freedom to think for themselves and to try new methods for accomplishing their work. When you control your team, the work shrinks until it’s only as big as your personal sphere of attention can bear. Instead, you should aim to allow your team freedom to operate within clear principles and boundaries that guide their decisions. Lead with influence, not control. Give Empathetic Advice The worst advice is always the “if I were you, this is what I’d do” type. Why? Because you are filtering your advice through your own lens, not the world of the other person. Instead, when you do give advice first put yourself in the other person’s position and try to imagine how it would feel to be in their shoes. How might their feelings and concerns differ from what you’d be experiencing if you were in their situation? Before giving advice, imagine that you’re in the other person’s situtation. Once you learn to temper the “advice monster”, you’ll become the manager (or the peer) that everyone wants to work with. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity and two free months of Premium Membership at Skillshare.com/AC.   The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Albert Einstein once wrote “The world we have created today as a result of our thinking thus far has problems which cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we created them.” In order to go to new places in life and work, we need to expand our thinking beyond the confines of our assumptions. But how do we do that? This week’s podcast episode features Ozan Varol, who has just released a book called Think Like A Rocket Scientist. In it, he articulates several strategies for breaking through assumptive ruts and taking your work to a new level. Here are a few of my takeaways from the conversation: You Must Question Your Assumptions In the past, I’ve frustrated many managers and peers for my annoying tendency to ask lots of “why?” questions. I’ve never been able to simply accept the way things are, and that can be very inconvenient when you’re trying to make quick progress on a project. However, this tendency has also served me well, because it’s frequently allowed me to circumvent norms that are preventing others from seeing possibilities. As you think about your current situation, your work, your life goals, what you are pursuing, are there assumptions that need to be challenged? They are often guidelines that have been in place for a number of years, or industry norms that others assume are hard and fast rules. Spend a bit of time this week challenging an assumption or two, and see where your thoughts lead you. Ask “What if…?” Return To First Principles Over time, it’s easy to get distracted with tactics and to forget what you’re actually trying to do. In the interview, Ozan shared the story of Steve Martin, who challenged the very conventions of what it means to be a comedian. In traditional comedy, the comedian will create tension and then relieve it by delivering a punchline, hopefully generating a laugh. Martin, however, wasn’t distracted by the tactics, and instead realized that the first principle was simply to make people laugh. He would create tension, but not relieve it with a punchline. At first, critics were apalled by his strategy, but audiences warmed up to it, and he became one of the most popular acts in the world, selling out arenas wherever he performed. What are the first principles of your work? What are you really trying to do, and how can you return to them and develop new tactics for accomplishing your goals? Have A Moonshot Right now, many people are simply focused on survival. I understand this necessity. However, I also think this is the perfect time to begin working on your personal “moonshot”, or the idea so big that no one else would dare try to compete with you. Physicist Max Planck once said, “At the initial stages of idea formation, the pure rationalist has no place.” Many of the world’s greatest accomplishments were met with skepticism and scorn at their inception, only to be accepted later. What is your personal moonshot? What could you aim for that seems scarily big to you, but that would completely change the trajectory of your life and work? To make progress on the other side of the pandemic, we will need to think in new ways. I hope this interview and Ozan’s book will expand your perspective and grant you a renewed enthusiasm for what’s possible. This episode is sponsored by Lightstream. Apply today to get a special interest rate at LightStream.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When most of us tell the story of our career journey, it’s often a very linear tale. “And then, I left that job and took this one. Then, I decided to step away for a bit and start something new. Then, I took a role with a marketing firm.” However, the reality is much more complex. Most of our lives and our career journeys are much more circuitous in nature. My friend Mitch Joel calls it “the squiggly path”, meaning that it veers left and right and doesn’t seem to have a rhyme or reason looking forward, but looking back it all begins to make sense. My career path was definitely “squiggly”. As I discuss with David duChemin in this week’s episode about his book and podcast A Beautiful Anarchy, twenty years ago I could never have imagined the career I’m in now. However, looking back, the clues were there all along. (There weren’t many early-twenty-something musicians dragging personal development books along to gigs or tracking creative productivity in notebooks…) Careers Usually Only Make Sense Looking Backward There are two dynamics present early in your career: (1) there are clues all around you as to what you might be great at and enjoy, and (2) you lack the wisdom, self-knowledge, and foresight to be able to put those clues together. So as you move forward, you do your best to navigate according to what you know. Many people eventually figure out the pieces some time in their early to mid thirties, and are able to begin assembling a life and career that brings more meaning and opportunity to contribute. However, by that point many people are often more encumbered by things like mortgages and family responsibilities, making shifting a career more of a challenge. If you find yourself in a place where you might be ready for a change, I challenge you to take a hard look at the clues in your past successes and try to identify any patterns that stand out to you. Where were you (a) fully competent, (b) deeply driven, and (c) well-received by others? That’s the very definition of a “sweet spot”. You Need To Bring Stakeholders Along In any career or life move, you must ensure that your stakeholders are fully considered. The general rule of thumb for family decisions is that the least risk averse person gets to determine the threshold for action. In other words, if one person is ready to leap, but the other says “we need six months of savings in the bank first”, the more risk-averse person gets to call the shots. That way, everyone feels good about the move. Are there any stakeholders you need to include in your planning? Are they aware of your present thinking? Be Responsive, Not Reactive Many people are reacting to the present circumstances without fully absorbing the implications of their actions. In any stressful moment, I find it best to take a pause, consider everything that’s happening, consider the all of the possible consequences of my actions (first, second, and potential third order consequences), consider my values, and then act in a meaningful way. I find that by taking this approach, I am much less likely to jump into something I’ll regret later. Be responsive, not reactive. As you consider all of the effects of our present situation on your life and work, where are you tempted to react instead of meaningfully responding? Take some time to pause, to reflect on the consequences, to consider your values, then to craft a strategic plan of action that moves you forward. Embrace the beautiful anarchy that is a life well-lived and work well-crafted. Use this time we all have to respond to your circumstances, to strategize, and to embrace the possibility of what awaits on the other side. This episode is sponsored by Freshbooks . See how Freshbooks can save you time and boost your creativity at Freshbooks.com/Accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding...

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Dave Noll and his business partner are the creators of the hit TV series Chopped, as well as a number of other popular television programs. Every day they bounce ideas off of one another, combining themes and smashing old concepts together to form new possible programs. In our conversation, Dave and I engaged in a little “idea bouncing” as well. Here are a few of the practical tips that emerged in our chat: Keep A Queue Of Old Ideas When you engage in a project, you probably end up with a lot of discarded ideas that didn’t quite work out. What happens to those ideas? Many people simply discard them on the trash heap and start fresh with the next project. However, it’s wise to keep a queue of these old, but not quite right ideas. Keep them in a notebook, or on index cards, or someplace where you can browse them later. Often, an idea that’s not right now is the perfect idea for a later project, but you would never have remembered it unless you had a system to help you do so. At the completion of each project, transfer the ideas or hunches that didn’t work out to a queue, and review it regularly so that you keep those ideas top of mind. Don’t Think Big. Think Bigger. In the interview, Dave told the story of pitching a “dream scenario” show to Barry Diller, the iconic TV executive, only to have him toss it back in his face as being too small. Dave said he learned that no matter how big you think, there is always someone who will think bigger. You’d might as well aim as high as you can with your career and decisions, because if you don’t, one of your competitors certainly will. Will Smith didn’t want to be a movie star, he wanted to be the biggest movie star in the world. As you think about your life and your career, where are you playing too small? Where are you settling for what you can get instead of dreaming about possibility? Consider New Media, New Formats Given the economic shakeup caused by the pandemic, it’s time for many of us to reconsider how we are delivering our ideas to market. Dave and his business partner, having only made TV shows in the past, have just launched their first ever podcast called Factorious. While they certainly could simply focus on making TV shows, they decided to explore a new medium that would offer a different kind of challenge as well as the ability to reach a new audience with their work. As you think about the work you do, how could you re-package or re-position it to reach a new audience? Is there a way to add a new form of media to the mix? A different distribution channel? I found this conversation with Dave to be both inspiring and a lot of fun. It sparked some great ideas for how to take my business to a new place. As we deal with the current health and economic crisis, this is a great time to begin dreaming again about what might be possible for you on the other side. This episode is sponsored by Literati. For a limited time, go to http://literati.com/creative (Literati.com/creative) and get 25% off your first two orders. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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On this week’s episode, Jen Gotch shares insights from her new book The Upside of Being Down. To state the obvious, we are all learning to adjust to a new way of living. Humans are not wired to live in long, sustained periods of isolation or social distancing, and we are having to adapt to new ways of working together, being creative, and living our lives. With all of these new dynamics, it’s importat to be open about mental health and the struggles that accompany long periods of uncertainty. Jen Gotch is the perfect person to help us think through how to navigate these difficult times. Her new book, a memoir, is called The Upside Of Being Down, and shares her personal journey in life and business while dealing with the impact of anxiety and depression. There are three big insights that I took from the conversation that are shaping how I’m thinking about the coming weeks and months. Progress Over Perfection It is very important to break big ambitions into smaller, measurable wins, especially when we don’t have access to all of the resources we normally lean on. In her book The Progress Principle, Teresa Amibile wrote “Our research inside companies revealed that the best way to motivate people, day in and day out, is by facilitating progress—even small wins.” Psychologically, small wins are a huge boost to overall motivation and a sense of purpose and direction in life and work. As Jen said in our interview, “ How will you measure progress this week? What small wins will you choose to mark success? Unnecessary Creating Is Deep Therapy In The Accidental Creative, I shared a practice that I call unnecessary creating. It means to engage routinely in making things that no one is paying you for, and that are not a part of your job. It can range from launching a podcast (which is how my business began!) to learning a new skill to painting to writing music. It’s a way to allow yourself the freedom to take risks, to develop skills, and to find creative expression in a very low-risk environment because the work is just for you, not for others. Right now I’m working on an unnecessary creating project in my spare time, and it’s very life-giving to have something I’m doing that’s not directly tied to my on-demand work. What unnecessary creating will you do this week? Choose a project such as writing a short story, making a piece of art, or exprimenting with a new skill. Release The Pressure Valve One ray of light over the past weeks has been getting to see normally polished, produced people learning to do what they do in a more accessible and authentic way. Whether it’s Jimmy Fallon doing The Tonight Show from his home (with his kids crawling all over him!) or news anchors doing their segments from their living room, we are discovering the beauty and power of authenticity. We all need to release the pressure valve a bit, and realize that there is a new kind of more genuine expression possible because of what we’re all experiencing together. Also, we do need to reconsider the expectations that we have of ourselves. This is no time to be in constant sprint mode, holding yourself to the same kind of accountability that you did before all of this began. Be wise in how you set your weekly expectations, and focus more on desired outcomes than quantity-based measures of productivity. Our biggest source of stress is often found in missed expectations, especially those we have for ourselves. Is there any way in which you need to adjust your personal expectations? Release the pressure valve. Take care of yourselves this week, friends. Be especially mindful of your mental health. Be prolific, brilliant, and healthy. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Explore your creativity and two free months of Premium Membership at Skillshare.com/AC. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the...

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Many people have started "side hustles" as a way to supplement their income or to pursue side passions. On this episode, Chris Guillebeau shares insights about how to find the right idea and how to start your own side hustle with tips from his book The Money Tree.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Due to recent events, many of us have suddenly found that we have more time on our hands. On this episode, we share a few principles for using time to invest in yourself and to plant seeds that will produce a harvest later. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do you make your message stand out in a crowded marketplace? On this episode, Jason Van Orden shares principles for getting your ideas into the world more effectively.  Today’s episode is sponsored by True Botanicals. Get 15% off your first purchase at TrueBotanicals.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The answers to our problems lie all around us, but they are often invisible. We must train ourselves to look at the world differently in order to find them. Today's guest is Stephen Shapiro, author of the new book Invisible Solutions. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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If you want to disrupt the status quo, you need to think differently. On this episode, Trendhunter CEO Jeremy Gutsche shares some practical advice for innovating in uncertain times.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you think of a great manager, what words come to mind? Competence? Focus? Drivenness? How about... gratitude? That's probably not near the top of your list. On this episode, Chester Elton and Adrian Gostick are here to make the case for why gratitude is the killer app for building effective cultures. Their new book is called Leading With Gratitude. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you step into a managerial role for the first time, your entire world changes. You are now no longer responsible just for your own work, but have to help other unleash their best work as well. On this episode, Ryan Hawn of The Learning Leader shares insights into how to be a good manager with tips from his book https://amzn.to/38a66oN (Welcome To Management).  Today's episode is sponsored by True Botanicals. Get 15% off your first purchase at TrueBotanicals.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Ideas are of no value until they are shared with others. However, many creative pros are less than confident about their presentation abilities, or uncertain about how to establish their credibility when sharing their concepts. On this episode, Grant Baldwin shares how to become a more confident presenter with tips from his new book The Successful Speaker.  This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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As a leader, the words you choose can determine success or failure, alignment or mutiny, a thriving culture vs. a destructive one. On this episode, https://www.davidmarquet.com/ (L. David Marquet) shares insights into how to use the power of language to unleash your team's best work. David's new book is called https://amzn.to/2OM42fO (Leadership Is Language).  This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip).       Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do you uniquely contribute to the world? On this episode, Tom Rath helps us begin to answer the question of why you are here on this planet, and to identify the unique contribution that you have to make. Tom's new book is called Life's Great Question.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What do you do when you disagree with your manager? How do you deliver the news in a way that they are most likely to receive it? On this episode, we share three key principles for speaking truth to power.  This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Indeed gives you the smart tools to make hiring decisions quickly, and to be confident that you’re making the right hire for your team. Post your job today at Indeed.com/CREATIVE and find out why more than 3 million companies use Indeed for hiring. Indeed. The world’s #1 job site.  The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do you tell if your manager, your client, or your peer are telling you the truth? How do you know if you can really trust someone? On this episode, the former head of the FBI's behavioral analysis program - Robin Dreeke - shares insights from his new book https://amzn.to/36sZ39x (Sizing People Up).  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Even if you are bringing your best every day, you are still at the mercy of your organization. An unhealthy climate can affect your ability to do your best work. On this episode, we share some tips for dealing with an unhealthy organization. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do the best brands create loyal advocates for their work? On this episode, David Meerman Scott shares how to create a "fanocracy" around your work with tips from his new book Fanocracy.  This episode is sponsored by Indeed. Indeed gives you the smart tools to make hiring decisions quickly, and to be confident that you’re making the right hire for your team. Post your job today at Indeed.com/CREATIVE and find out why more than 3 million companies use Indeed for hiring. Indeed. The world’s #1 job site.  The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Most of the work you do has to be accomplished with others. On this episode, we share three principles for dealing with difficult co-workers and clients.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Where do good ideas come from? Often, they are forged in the most unlikely places. On this episode, I share a simple and practical method for exploring and playing with new ideas.  This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Creative work is largely qualitative in nature. That can make it difficult to choose the best idea without creating conflict on the team. On this episode, we share a simple framework for choosing the best idea: EPIC. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Your ability to thrive as a creative pro is largely determined by the little things you do every day. Talent will get you so far, but without daily practices to develop your intuition, feed your mind, and sharpen your skills, you will eventually stall out. On this episode, we share three daily practices that will set you up for long-term success. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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One practice that is prescribed in The Accidental Creative is a checkpoint every three months to get ahead of commitments and ambitions for the upcoming quarter. On this episode, we walk through a Quarterly Checkpoint and offer some questions and prompts to help you plan for brilliance in the coming months.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's the time of year when many people are thinking about what the next twelve months have in store. On this episode, I share four questions to help you think about 2020 and set goals for life and work. Download the worksheet here.   Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's tempting to think that motivation is largely driven by the tasks that you do every day, but it's more accurate to say that you bring your motivation to those tasks. On this episode, we discuss three core motivational archetypes and how they affect everyday engagement. Are you a builder, a fixer, or an optimizer? This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Most notes are simply facts, to-do's, and records that will never be reviewed later. However, there is a better way to leverage your notes to help you generate brilliant ideas and spot patterns in your environment. On this episode, we share some best practices for taking and processing notes more effectively. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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If you want to produce a body of work you can be proud of, you must be resilient. But, how do you learn to persist in the face of failure, resistance, and uncertainty? On this episode, Neil Pasricha share insights into how to become more resilient with tips from his book https://amzn.to/2pPkx18 (You Are Awesome).  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Professionals spend a lot of time worrying about things that are outside of their control. On this episode, we discuss how to deal with organizational decisions, cultural forces, and other things that live outside of our ability to influence.   This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Your sweet spot is discovered through active contemplation, not passive reflection. The broader your base of experience, the more patterns you will be able to discern. On this episode, we share three key principles for discovering what you're wired for, and navigating to a place of effectiveness in life and work This episode is sponsored by Quip. Brush better with Quip. Go to getquip.com/accidentalcreative to get your first refill FREE.  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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As a creative professional, it's easy to get pulled into work that needs to be done at the expense of work that you'd like to do. You don't have the luxury of working only on things that excite you. This is why it's important to have some area of your life where you are taking risks, trying new things, and developing your creative intuition in a way that your on-demand work doesn't allow. On this episode, we share how to get started with Unnecessary Creating.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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There are three types of bravery that you might need to engage in as a creative professional. On this episode, we discuss each of them and how to be brave in the face of uncertainty.   Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The first few minutes of your pitch can make all the difference between a successful and failed outcome. On this episode, former TV exec and expert pitchman Brant Pinvidic shares how to pitch better with tips from his book https://amzn.to/2PtqWJM (The 3-Minute Rule). This episode is sponsored by Quip. Brush better with Quip. Go to quip.com/accidentalcreative to get your first refill FREE.  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Our world is full of distractions, both good and bad. How do you choose what to allocate your finite focus to each day? On this episode, Nir Eyal shares how to become indistractable with tips from his new book.  This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Being an entrepreneur requires not only technical sense and business savvy, but also the right mindset. On this episode, John Jantsch shares mindset principles for entrepreneurs from his book https://amzn.to/2Bw7fJi (The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur). Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What makes a great brand? As the marketplace changes, how do you ensure that what you stand for and how your customers view you align? On this episode, Blake Howard of Matchstic shares insights for developing a brand that resonates.  Join us on November 8 at Matchstic in Atlanta for the Herding Tigers Workshop.    Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Brilliant creative work must be founded upon compelling data that illustrates a truth, and reveals an opportunity for the intended audience. How do you share that data in a way that is compelling, and that helps your audience receive it and act upon it? Today's  guest, http://duarte.com/ (Nancy Duarte), has spent years teaching leaders and organizations how to share their story well, and on this episode she teaches us insights from her new book DataStory.  This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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If you want to be effective as a creative pro, as a marketer, or as a leader, alignment between what you say and do is critical. However, many organizations allow a gap to emerge over time between beliefs and actions, and the result is a lack of authenticity and work that doesn't resonate. On this episode, Ron Tite shares insights from his book Think Do Sayabout how to bring better alignment between our words and our actions.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What does it really take to build something that's noteworthy and successful, whether it's a business, a non-proft, or just a side hustle? There's a lot of advice out there, and a lot of it is full of platitudes and half-truths that do more harm than good.  Liz Forkin Bohannon is the co-founder and CEO of Sseko Designs, and the author of the new book https://amzn.to/2oCw2YR (Beginner's Pluck). In this episode she shares some brilliant counter-cultural advice for anyone wanting to build a career, life, and business of purpose.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What does it take to create a culture in which creative people thrive? On this episode, we chat with Matt Cooper (CEO) and Sabrina Kieffer (COO) of Skillshare about what it takes to attract and retain talent, their personal leadership philosophies, and how they manage their busy work and personal lives as leaders of a fast-growing company. This episode is sponsored by Native. Get 20% off your first purchase by going to nativedeodorant.comand entering promo code AC. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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If you want to have great ideas when it matters most, you must have practices in your life to help you do so. On this episode, http://creativecalling.com (Chase Jarvis) gives insight into how to establish a creative practice that will help you bring your best work each day, identify your "sweet spot", and build a body of work you can be proud of. Chase's new book is Creative Calling.   This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to thousands of classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you create under pressure, it's tempting to gravitate toward the first idea just to relieve the tension of not knowing where the project is headed. However, this can often mean compromising the work if that idea doesn't deliver the kind of value you really want to be known for. You're simply trading a little discomfort now for a lot of discomfort later.  On this episode, I share three principles from my interview with Adam Steltzner about how to get to the best creative idea and produce work you're proud of.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip).  Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Regardless of your role, you have to be creative every day. You have to solve problems under pressure, make connections, see patterns, and convince others. On this episode, Kathryn Haydon is here to share some insights into being more creative with tips from her book The Non-Obvious Guide To Being More Creative. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access absolutely free! To sign up, go to Skillshare.com/AC. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Your mind is brilliant at surfacing potential insights, and connecting dots that help you solve problems. However, many people rely on their mind as the key repository for all of their hunches and ideas, which is not a great system. Too many things slip through the cracks. On this episode, David Allen shares the five key steps for turning hunches into breakthroughs, and why he's just released a https://amzn.to/2LeoXXq (workbook companion) to his bestselling book https://amzn.to/2Lixc4S (Getting Things Done).  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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A creative project is a bit like a long hallway with multiple chambers. As you navigate down the hallway, you reach checkpoints where critical decisions must be made, and a door closes behind you. There are three questions you should ask at those checkpoints: 1. Who else needs to know about this? 2. What do I need right now? 3. What am I not considering? On this episode, I elaborate on these three questions and offer some tips for crafting a process that's sane and helpful to your work.    This episode is sponsored by Native. Get 20% off your first purchase by going to nativedeodorant.com and entering promo code AC. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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To do your best work, you must commit to doing the right thing even when it's not the most popular thing. However, many creative pros and leaders fall into the "likeability trap", meaning they'd rather be liked than effective. On this episode, we share three principles for ditching the approval addiction and being a dream collaborator.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental and enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What does it mean to be brave? We often think of those people who muster one huge, courageous act of the will to overcome an obstacle. However, bravery can also mean a steady, daily push to take small risks in the face of uncertainty. On this episode, I share my talk from a Creative Mornings gathering about why bravery is so critical to creative pros.  Today's episode is sponsored by Mighty Networks. Start your online community now with three months free at MightyNetworks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you think about design, you probably think about things like packaging, graphic design, UX, and the like. But, what if we could apply design thinking to some of the bigger environmental and social issues facing the planet?  Today's guest is Katie Patrick. She's an environmental engineer who has initiated the "Fitbit for the planet" movement to help quantify the effects of our everyday actions. She's here to share insights from her book https://amzn.to/31TmirH (How To Save The World). This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to over 25,000 classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Have you ever said something in a meeting that you didn't expect to? It happened to me last week, except it wasn't a meeting, it was in a speech given at the Global Leadership Summit to over 400,000 leaders and indluencers across the world. The particular line was, "Brilliance is forged in the cauldron of creative conflict." Fortunately, I believe this to be true to the core of my being. You have to fight for brilliant work. And when you collaborate, that means having healthy conflict with others too. On this episode, I share a few ideas for how to engage in healthy creative conflict with your team.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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My book Louder Than Words begins with the line “attention for your work is not a birthright.” I believe this to the core of my being. Some people think that simply making something great entitles them to the attention of people around them, but it’s simply not true. If you want their attention, you must earn it. This is equally true in leadership, sales, or any other arena where you must cultivate awareness and attention for your ideas in order to succeed. The best way to capture attention is through the power of story. Story binds us. It reminds us of what we have in common. It builds empathy and trust. And, it allows you to leverage common ground to inspire people to move toward your vision.  Think about the last time you were inspired by someone. I guarantee it was because they were sharing a story that resonated to the core of your being. We are defined by the stories we believe.   On this episode, we’re going to be talking about the power of story, and how leaders can use it to help those on their team do better work, stay aligned, and produce great work each day. Our guest is author Paul Smith, whose new book is called The 10 Stories Great Leaders Tell.  This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to over 25,000 classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We are wired for two conflicting things: comfort, and conquest. To achieve goals, we need to disrupt the comfort instinct long enough to experience our first successes on the path to the goal. On this episode, I share three core principles for doing the hard work necessary to get moving on your goals.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's become the accepted norm that stress, increasing expectations, and over-filled schedules are a fact of work-life. Today's guest, Jason Fried, believes that it doesn't have to be that way. He's the co-founder of Basecamp, and the co-author of several books including Rework, Remote, and It Doesn't Have To Be Crazy At Work.  In this conversation, we talk about how Jason built the company that he wanted to work for, the importance of treating your company like a product in itself, his own personal creative process, where ideas come from, and what he wishes more people knew about creating a culture where creative people thrive. Book Recommendation: The Manual ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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We tend to think of creative work as a solo sport. It's something that, in large part, has to be accomplished alone. However, the extent to which we stay connected to others can play a large role in our personal creative process, and in helping us tackle our goals. On this episode, we share three core strategies for developing relationships that will help you thrive personally, and in business. Today's episode is sponsored by Mighty Networks. Start your online community now with three months free at MightyNetworks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you do any kind of difficult, problem-solving, creative work, tension is inevitably present. How you deal with that tension will determine whether it makes you stronger and more focused, or whether it sucks the wind out of your sails. On this episode, we share three tensions that every creative pro encounters daily, and how to deal with them while recognizing that they're not going away.   ==== Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidental. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Discipline is sometimes perceived as a “dirty word” because it’s interpreted as pushing through the muck, doing the unenjoyable activities first, and forgoing the chocolate cake for the steamed broccoli. However, I think this is a gross misunderstanding of the word. Discipline simply means making an agreement with yourself, and keeping it. That’s all. Nothing more complicated than that. The problem with discipline begins when we don’t understand which commitments are worth our effort, when we make too many commitments, when our commitments conflict, or when we are subject to the unclear commitments of others. On this episode, we address how to deal with moments when you feel undisciplined. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. To get two months of Skillshare absolutely free, just visit Skillshare.com/AC. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. The remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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With the increase of information crossing your attention span each day, it’s easy to forget even the most impactful experiences. Make every effort to capture these, and to ensure that they become a valuable part of your creative process.  On this episode, we share four key principles for keeping sparks and seeds of inspiration at the ready for those moments when you need a brilliant idea.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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At some point in your career, you willfeel stuck. Not stuck because you can't come up with an idea for a project, but stuck in the sense that you feel like you don't know how to go to the next level. How do you continue to grow, to develop your voice, and create more impact? On this episode, we share the two common places where creative pros get stuck, and how to continue moving up the curve into rare air where you can do work worth noticing. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. To get two months of Skillshare absolutely free, just visit Skillshare.com/AC. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. The remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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One force that’s ever-present in any form of creative work is uncertainty. The reality is that you will never know – really know – what’s right. Is this good enough? Is it finished? Is it the right strategy? How should I spend my time/focus/energy today? Which idea should I run with? How can I sell this to my manager? Uncertainty is an uncooperative dance partner. You have to move with it – in concert, drawing from it, following its lead at times, but always with an eye on your next move – in order to do your best work. The worst thing you can do is allow uncertainty to paralyze you into inaction. On today's show, we share three strategies for dealing with uncertainty. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Several years ago, toymaker Neal Hoffmanhad an idea for a new toy that would make his family's life much more fun. The problem was, he had another job at the time, and this "side project" was likely to take up much more time and resources than he could spare. On this episode, we discuss Neil's journey from idea, to an appearance on Shark Tank, to creating an internationally successful toy product that has changed the lives of families across the globe. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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I am frequently asked for career advice, and I very, veryrarely offer it. Why? First, because I only intimately know my own path and those of a few others. Second, because all advice is local. What works for one person will be misery for another. Finally, when people ask for career advice, what they’re often asking is that you validate something they’ve already decided to do. However, in the past few days I’ve been struck by stories of friends and colleagues who are feeling the effects of a shifting creative marketplace, and a decreasingly stable job market. Just like when the stock market takes a downturn and everyone gets very conservative, I see many creatives jumping at the first opportunity to come along rather than thinking about their career as an investment portfolio to be build over time. With that in mind, here are three career investments that I think every single creative should be making now, and should continue to make consistently. These are the three aspirations that you should be chasing in order to ensure that you are positioning yourself to do increasingly meaningful and valuable work. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. To get two months of Skillshare absolutely free, just visit Skillshare.com/AC. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. The remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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A few years ago we featured the story of Andrea Summer and her struggle to make a passion project album called Wanderlust. After years of work, the album is finally finished and releases today. On this episode, we re-visit that conversation with Andrea from 2017, and share insights into the making of a passion project. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Your life is composed of days, and how you spend those days is how you spend your life. On this episode, I share a simple five-part daily planning process that will help you stay on-course, engaged, and focused on the things that matter most. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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It's tempting to gloss over small areas of misalignment or misunderstanding because they seem like no big deal in the moment. However, those small areas of misalignment can become big problems later. On this episode, we share a few ways this happens to leaders and teams and a handful of questions to help you stay ahead of them. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Many people dream of making a leap into their ideal career, but have no clue what their first steps should be. On this episode, Ken Coleman (host of the Ken Coleman Show and author of The Proximity Principle) shares some simple, practical tips for identifying and stepping into your dream job. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Stress. We all deal with it, and it affects our work in significant, and often unseen ways. There are actually two types of stress that we encounter in doing creative work, and on this episode we share what they are and how to deal with them so that they don't rob us of our ability to produce brilliant work. Thanks to Grammarly for supporting Accidental Creative. For 20% off a Grammarly premium account, go to Grammarly.com/ac. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What exactly does a great leader do? There are three key things that an effective leader of creative people provides for the team consistently and well. On this episode, I share the importance of focus, function, and fire to the creative process. Insights from today's episode are from the book Herding Tigers: Be The Leader That Creative People Need. Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Those who ask the best questions ultimately win. There are some questions that are obvious. These are the ones that directly affect our work and its outcomes. Then, there are questions that hover just beneath the surface of our work, and rarely get asked. On this episode, we share three questions that you're probably not asking, but definitely should be. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to over 25,000 classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The story you believe becomes your experience of reality, because it’s your filter for all of your experiences. If you filter your life through the lens of anxiety, everything will feel like a threat. If you filter your life through the lens of hopelessness, then when things are going well you won’t be able to enjoy it because you’ll always be waiting for the other shoe to drop. If you filter your life through the lens of envy, then you’ll always feel like others are getting a better deal than you, even when you’re doing better than you could have ever imagined. These inner narratives/filters are very stealthy and difficult to spot. I’ve developed what I call “color filter theory” to help identify areas where I’m slipping into unhealthy thought patterns or narratives. On this episode, I share those filters and how they affect us. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Distractions are a baked-in part of the modern workplace. Wouldn't it be great if we could eliminate them and just focus on our important work? Well... on this episode we share six strategies for dealing with distractions in your world, and how to focus on being fully present and effective. Thanks to Molekule for supporting the show. Get $75 off your first order at molekule.comcode ac. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip. Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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The two most precious resources you have as a creative pro are your time and attention. They are under a constant onslaught from organizational needs, client demands, and personal anxieties. As a manager, you must commit to protecting these finite resources at all costs. On this episode, we share three principles for doing so from Todd Henry's book Herding Tigers. Thanks to Grammarly for supporting Accidental Creative. For 20% off a Grammarly premium account, go to Grammarly.com/ac.  The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip).     Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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I have a confession to make: I’m a natural-born over-packer. When I go on a trip, it’s very likely that I’ll come home with a lot of unworn clothes and unnecessary weight in my travel bag. This is a tendency I recognized early in my business travel days, and that over the past few years I’ve tried to mitigate just a bit by packing only the essentials. You see, the problem is that my definition of “essentials” is a little… broad. On this episode, I share a few pieces of "extra baggage" that we carry with us as creative pros, and how to shed them so that we are lighter, more nimble, and better able to attach our work. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Yesterday I spent time with students at Miami University in Oxford, OH, and I shared with them what I believe to the the "killer app" that will help them achieve their goals faster and more successfully than they can imagine. On this episode, I share what it is and how you can use it to improve your work, your creativity, and your career prospects. Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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So much stress and misalignment happens in organizations because conversations are left incomplete. There is misunderstanding, dissonance, and a general level of anxiety about expectations and next steps. On this episode, we share a few simple strategies for completing conversations and ensuring that you are aligned with your peers, your team, and your leadership. The core ideas in this episode are from the book Herding Tigers.  Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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You proably have goals you'd like to pursue or dreams you'd like to chase. It's also likely that there are limits that you encounter as you pursue them. However, some of those limits are self-imposed. On this episode, Laura Gassner Otting is here to teach us how to bust through those artificial limits with insights from her new book https://amzn.to/2uMMkhI (Limitless). Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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At some point, you're going to encounter difficult times as a creative pro. It could be something that happens to you, or a situation you created yourself. How do you persist in your work in the face of adversity and challenges? On this episode, Austin Kleon is back to share his perspective on how to develop creative resilience in hard times. His new book is called Keep Going. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to over 25,000 classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What drives your creative work? Some fuels that drive our work burn "clean", and some burn "dirty", meaning they leave a residue that makes it difficult to continue producing great work over time. On this episode, I share the difference between clean and dirty fuels, and how to find motivation that lasts. Thanks to Away for supporting The Accidental Creative podcast. Go to awaytravel.com/acand use the promo code ac to get $20 off a suitcase! The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How do you define legacy? Or more importantly, what will be the legacy of your business or brand? Or, for you personally? On this episode, Lucas Conley shares insights from his reseach about how people and brands are building legacies that resonate and last. His book is called https://amzn.to/2Y8jExb (Legacy In The Making). Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip).     Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Some ideas are so crazy that "moonshot" doesn't even do them credit. "Loonshot" seems more appropriate. On this episode, physicist and entrepreneur Safi Bachall is here to teach us how to nurture the crazy ideas that win wars, cure diseases, and transform industries with insights from his new book Loonshots. Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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When you first step into your role as a manager, your entire work world changes. You are no longer simply responsible for your own work. Now, you are responsible for the work, the culture, the process, and anything else that happens on your team. It can feel overwhelming. On this episode, Julie Zhou (VP of Product Design at Facebook) shares insights for managers from her new book The Making of a Manager. Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section. The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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There are a number of ways in which we build "escape hatches" to relieve the stress and fear that we might under-perform. On this episode, I talk about three of those common "secondary ways of escape", and how to begin to counter them. === Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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What you surround yourself with can inspire new ideas and motivate you to keep pressing on when things get difficult. On this episode, I share the three categories of "mementos" that you can keep in your workspace to help you push through challenges and root your work in meaning. This episode is sponsored by Skillshare. Get two months of access to over 25,000 classes absolutely free! To sign up, go to http://skillshare.com/ac (Skillshare.com/AC). The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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I sent a tweet (@toddhenry) the other day that addressed a pattern I'm seeing with people I've been interacting with. It seems that many people are losing the narrative. They expect results without adventure. Celebration with the risk of rejection. Pride without doubts. This doesn't happen. On this episode, I share a few areas where you need to be brave this week. Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative. Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by http://djztrip.com/ (DJ Z-Trip). Mentioned in this episode: Herding Tigers podcast Listen to the Herding Tigers podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

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You have a finite amount of attention to spend on behalf of the creative problems you're solving. How you allocate that attention will often determine your success or failure. On this episode, I share three simple strategies for gaining creative focus and generating traction in your work.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Work would be so easy if it weren't for all the people, right? However, all of us have to deal (from time to time) with difficult co-workers and people who seem intent on making our lives miserable. On this episode, I share a few principles for dealing with those difficult co-workers.

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Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative.

Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Writing every day has tremendous benefits to your creativity, your emotional state, and your career. On this episode, I share some tactical tips for establishing a daily writing practice, including how to commit the resources, choose your tools, and find the right format to help you turn information into wisdom.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Skillshare. To get 2 months of free access, visit Skillshare.com/AC.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Meetings are the bane of many creative pros' existence. The amount of wasted time in meetings in incalculable. On this episode, I share eight key principles for helping you have better meetings, and how to honor the time of your team, your collaborators, and your clients.

This episode is sponsored by Gusto. Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/creative.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Do you have a matrix for important decisions in your life? How do you decide which path is correct when you're being pulled in multiple directions? On the first part of this episode, I share some insights from Herding Tigers to help you establish your core decision-making matrix.

Then, Aaron Dignan joins us to talk about his new book Brave New Work. He lays out a framework for re-imagining how organizations function in the accelerating and ever-changing marketplace.

Thanks to Molekule for supporting the podcast. Get $75 off your first order at http://www.molekule.comcode ac.

Thanks to Grammarly for supporting Accidental Creative. For 20% off a Grammarly premium account, go to Grammarly.com/ac.

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If you want to produce a body of work you're proud of, you must have a creative point of view. However, it is risky to commit yourself to ideas and ideals that cause you to be vulnerable and open you up to critique from others. On this episode, I share just a few principles for developing creative confidence and pushing yourself to the next level.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Many creative pros charge through their work over days and weeks without ever stopping to assess whether they're on the right course. In this episode, I share a simple method for instilling a checkpoint into your life to help you ask critical questions about the work you're doing and the life you're living.

This episode is sponsored by Grammarly. Get 20% off your Grammarly Premium account at Grammarly.com/ac. 

Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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I believe that the love of comfort is often the enemy of greatness. You cannot pursue comfort and great work simultaneously. However, comfort is seductive and can lull us into creative complacency. On this episode, I share three kinds of goals you can implement in your life to help you push outside of your comfort zone, and accomplish those big objectives.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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How do you handle feedback? We need other people in our lives to tell us the truth. If we immediately get defensive when they tell us something we don’t like, we will lose key allies in our journey of growth. If you manage a team, your trigger happy ways will eventually destroy the culture of your team. On this episode, we share a few strategies for dealing with feedback in a healthy way.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative.

Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Many of us are told to keep our emotions in check at work. Don't display how you feel, and make sure that you don't "get emotional" about a business decision. Today's guest believes this is bad advice. Her name is Liz Fosslien, and she's the co-author of a new book called No Hard Feelings. She's going to help us understand the power of emotion at work.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Technology is an extension of your capacity to accomplish your will. So, it gives you a "longer lever" when you want to move big rocks. However, we are finding that technology is encroaching upon us in ways we couldn't have anticipated ten years ago. It's more difficult to find the space necessary to do the important, creative work we're tasked with.

Today's guest is Cal Newport. He's just written a book called Digital Minimalism, and on this episode he will share some tips for dealing with technological encroachment.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Skillshare. To get 2 months of access to over 25,000 classes absolutely free, visit Skillshare.com/AC.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. Remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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How you spend your time is how you spend your life. As a creative pro, you're not accountable for "showing up", you're accountable for the value you produce. On this episode, I share a method for planning your days that helps you ensure that you spend your hours in a way that facilitates your creative productivity and helps you produce the value you're accountable for.

Check out the Daily Plan Sheet. 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative.

Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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Do you have a good game plan for how you'll spend your week? Many people charge into Monday without really thinking much about their plan of attack. On this episode, we share a simple method for planning your week that will help you better organize around what matters, and will ensure that you have the space necessary to tackle those big, conceptual projects.

Want a tool to help you plan your week? Check out the Weekly Plan Sheet.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Freshbooks. To claim your free month trial – with no credit card needed – visit Freshbooks.com/accidentaland enter The Accidental Creative in the how did you hear about us section.

The intro music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.

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It is a reality that managers and creatives often speak different languages. Each has a different set of responsibilities and perspectives they are bringing to a project, and often the collision of these forces is enough to create massive waves within the organization. With that in mind, here is a list of statements that could begin to spark dialogue between organizational leaders and creatives.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Gusto. Get three months free when you run your first payroll. Visit Gusto.com/creative.

Music for the AC podcast is by Joshua Seurkamp. End remix is by DJ Z-Trip.