Creative Confidence (CC)

What is Creative Confidence?

Creative Confidence is a concept that combines creativity with the self-assuredness to act on one’s ideas. It’s about believing in your ability to create change in the world around you. It’s not just about having ideas, but also the courage to act on them, to experiment, to take risks, and to learn from failure.

Why is it Important?

In the business world, creative confidence is crucial. It empowers individuals and teams to innovate, to challenge the status quo, and to drive growth. It fosters a culture of innovation where every idea is valued, and everyone feels empowered to contribute. It’s the driving force behind the most successful and innovative companies in the world.

How to Cultivate Creative Confidence?

• Embrace a growth mindset: Understand that abilities and intelligence can be developed.
• Encourage risk-taking: Foster a safe environment where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn and grow.
• Value every idea: Create a culture where every idea is valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute.
• Practice empathy: Understand the needs and experiences of others to inspire innovative solutions.

1. Pixar Animation Studios encourages its employees to take risks and learn from failure, fostering creative confidence and driving innovation.

2. IDEO, a global design company, applies creative confidence by using a human-centered approach to innovation, focusing on empathy and experimentation.

3. Google’s 20% time policy, where employees are encouraged to spend 20% of their time on side projects, fosters creative confidence by valuing every idea and encouraging risk-taking.

The term ‘Creative Confidence’ was popularized by David and Tom Kelley, founders of the global design and innovation company IDEO, in their book ‘Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All’ published in 2013.

• Creative confidence is only for ‘creative’ roles: Creative confidence is applicable and beneficial in any role, in any industry.
• You’re either creative or you’re not: Creativity is not a fixed trait. It can be nurtured and developed, and creative confidence is a big part of that.

• Creative Confidence vs Creativity: Creativity is about generating new and original ideas, while creative confidence is about having the self-assuredness to act on those ideas.
• Creative Confidence vs Innovation: Innovation is the successful implementation of creative ideas in a commercial context, while creative confidence is the belief in one’s ability to create and implement those ideas.

• Growth Mindset
• Design Thinking
• Innovation
• Risk-Taking
• Empathy