Challenging Times Call for Seeing Differently

After recently completing a course on the Gonzaga campus on creativity and leadership, one resounding tidbit sticks with me. Creativity comes from "seeing and seeing again."

In these tough economic times when budgets are being cut, work forces reduced and resources are stretched thin, it would be easy to keep our focus on how hard it is to make due. Trust me, I know. But these challenging times have the potential to shape us, to drive us to the be the best we've ever been. All it takes is "seeing again."

Leadership requires creativity. Especially in challenging times. When we are faced with accomplishing more with fewer resources or facing what may seem like overwhelming obstacles, we must take time to see things from a different perspective. Often in the midst of challenging times we just roll our sleeves up, grit our teeth and get to work and miss what may be the best ideas yet.

But maybe the answer lies in stopping, taking a look at the future, the problem, the challenge, the client, from a different angle. Gather the team, get the scratch paper out, change your lenses. See and see again. Don't just go with the first thing that comes to mind or the tried and true solution. See if you come up with something else, something from another angle.

I bet that this year, in 2010 we will find new ways, better ways, inspired ways of leading and we will find some of our brightest work ever as we rise from the dust. I'm looking forward to shooting for the stars...and seeing them from a different perspective.