If you're like me and building something on your own that serves as an offering for others, it's important to question what kind of leader you are. I know this might seem like common sense in a business or team setting, but when you're pioneering your own path and carving the trail as you go, I don’t think we often stop to ask ourselves how we're leading. Because let's face it, when we look around, we’re standing there alone. But the truth is, we're leading one of the most important people there is—ourselves.
This realization didn’t enter my awareness until a few years ago when I started taking inventory of the type of leader I am to myself in my own life. To me, being a powerful creative leader means taking charge of my vision and guiding my process with purpose. It’s about trusting my instincts and making choices that align with my values, without waiting for someone else’s approval. By setting my own course, I embrace the risk and freedom to express myself authentically, pushing boundaries as I go. I get to define what creativity means to me, making every project an extension of my unique voice.
It also requires me to hold myself accountable and stay disciplined, especially when motivation wanes or I find myself creatively stuck. I set my own goals and routines for my personal projects, knowing that structure is crucial for their growth. This isn’t about rigid control but about creating a balance that supports the evolution of both the projects and myself, while leaving room for the unexpected—the space for the divine to dance. The responsibility is on me to show up and stay on track, but I find power in that commitment. The more I show up, the more I discover I can trust my decisions, which in turn allows me to trust my own leadership.
Resilience is at the heart of creative leadership, something I’ve learned firsthand from navigating the ups and downs that come with pushing boundaries and exploring new ideas. The path of innovation is rarely smooth—setbacks, rejections, and self-doubt are part of the journey. As a creative leader, I’ve found that providing encouragement during these moments is essential. It’s about helping others, including myself, reframe challenges as valuable lessons and opportunities for growth. By sharing my experiences of bouncing back and maintaining a positive outlook, I aim to show that resilience isn’t just about enduring tough times—it’s about using them to refine our ability for critical thinking, problem-solving, and finding the opportunities that dwell within opposition.
I’ve seen countless examples of how powerful it is to foster a mindset that welcomes change rather than resists it. I believe this mindset is at the core of the difference between those who say, “Life is happening to me,” and those who say, “Life is happening for me."
Leadership in a collective, from my experience, encompasses all of the above and is as much about listening and learning as it is about guiding. Being open to new ideas and perspectives, especially from those who see the world differently, has led to some of the most innovative breakthroughs. I strive to create an environment where everyone feels safe sharing their insights and trying new approaches without fear of failure. This collaborative spirit ensures that we can all learn from each other’s unique experiences and skill sets, building a collective resilience that’s stronger than any one person’s. There is no such thing as a bad idea if that idea is filtered, fostered, and incubated by a healthy culture.
Ultimately, I see creative leadership as a commitment to continuous improvement, both for myself and the people I work with. It’s about modeling a mindset that sees every challenge as an opportunity to grow and every success as a stepping stone to the next level. By sharing my personal stories of overcoming obstacles and staying adaptable, I hope to inspire others to lead with the same resilience and openness. In doing so, we create a culture where creativity is a fulfilling pursuit, driven by a shared belief in the power of innovation and reinvention.
To be a strong, dependable, brave, and trustworthy leader, you must lead by example, starting with yourself. How do you show up? How do you listen? How do you speak? How do you receive critical information? How do you build trust? How do you shape-shift the problem into the solution? How do you extract the gift from the mess and share the insights that make yourself and the team better equipped for next time? Because there will always be a next time.
-Danny
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Feedback is always appreciated. Please feel free to ask any questions or share any thoughts you might have in regard to this post. I love opening up the space for communication and will always respond.
Your friend,
-Danny