Keys To Creativity, A New Mini-Series

Back in July, 2009 I posted a blurb about a book I was starting to read authored by Hugh MacLeod titled Ignore Everybody: and 39 Other Keys to Creativity. I finished the book over my vacation and like most books that resonate with me, it ended up looking like a coloring book with meaningful passages highlighted and notes scribbled in margins and sticky notes. There is so much worthwhile material here for every stakeholder in this business, that it deserves special attention…

Consequently, I’m going to publish a series of posts based on MacLeod’s stronger points and ideas that apply to this business and publish them every so often throughout the next several weeks. The idea is to spark a “eureka!” moment that helps you and your organization move forward but in order to maximize that potential, you have to be prepared to find some of the topics disconcerting. Why? Because as is the case with many of MacLeod’s ideas, you have to give up a little bit of comfort and convention in order to realize success. At the very least, the series will get you thinking about solutions and get out from under the weight of day-to-day stressors.

And in today’s operating climate, that’s a good thing as the time for leveraging creativity in the orchestra business is now. Economic woes compounded by snowballing byproducts of apathy throughout the cultural consciousness have created fertile ground for sterile and unimaginative thinking. It is like a sort of institutional mold and if we don’t take action, these spores will begin to feed and germinate to levels that are out of control.

Although you don’t need to read MacLeod’s book to benefit from this series, it helps and since inference isn’t universally applied, you might glean a different perspective on MacLeod’s points. In any event, it will certainly add to the potential for lively and productive conversation so pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order online at Amazon.com.