What is the value of creativity in project leadership? How to balance discipline and process with creativity.

The value of creativity in project leadership should not be underestimated. Creativity is important for many reasons.

First creativity in project leadership is important because creativity is part of Maslow's hierarchy - self-actualization  (p. 72). Maslow state's self-actualization is "What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-actualization…It refers to the desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming ( Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review 50, 370-96.)." Maslow tells us that individuals who have self-actualization possess certain abilities that can be related to a proper leader. Examples include but are not limited to:

1. Having a realistic understanding of their abilities which they are in.

2. Look forward to solving problems around them by helping others.

3. Finding solutions for a problem in their environment.

4. Are able to conform to rules and regulations.

5. Be spontaneous in their internal, and external behavior.

4. Are open and sometimes unconventional.

5. Desire to improve their own potential.

8. Be aware of their environment.

View life with appreciation, and enjoy all experiences, and are inspired to grow.

as an individual based upon these experiences.

The above examples show why creativity is very important to leadership. Ferraro (p. 218) states creativity is an "active leadership trait." To me this means a leader cannot lead effectively, unless they are creative.

When a leader is creative they can make "boring, or repetitive (Ferraro, p. 283)" tasks tolerable, and help workers be more productive, and feel a sense of pride in performing their functions. Workers who have a sense of pride in what they do have less fear of failing in their functions, and lack of fear create a positive "culture and team ( (Ferraro, p. 214).

Lack of fear empowers more creativity, and trust of self, and other's increases. When more trust is built within a team, the team unit performs at a higher level. A team operating at a higher level of efficiency "discovers" unique value in each project by focusing beyond constraints and creating service experiences for customers ( (Ferraro, p. 213).

"A leader is the face of the creative process ( (Ferraro, p. 213)." When a leader is creative, a new culture is formed that improves team members, team efficiencies, and ultimately increases customer satisfaction.

Using my creativity and self-actualization combined with discipline, and process would better serve my sponsors, stakeholders, team members, and customers by creating the comfort of a structured environment, but at the same time foresting a trusting, open culture where people are free to express self without the fear of ridicule.

Having discipline and process while at the same time being inventive I would begin to change the overall culture within an organization one piece at a time. Everyone in a imaginative environment begins to feel more empowered, and takes leadership in their functions which in turn makes an organization more effective and efficient.

Being disciplined, and understanding processes while being creative to at the same time would allow me to build a bridge between the needs of a project, team members, and management. This would allow me to have a better chance of obtaining the resources such as capital, personnel, and time needed to execute my project and in turn enhance my chances of completing successful projects.

Ferraro, J. 2008. The Strategic Project Leader: Mastering Service-Based Project Leadership. Taylor & Francis Group. Boca Raton:FL.