We run yesterday a workshop on transformative leadership for Capacity Zurich with Anna Stando.

One of the tools and lessons learned related to our entrepreneurial journeys is the so-called “creative confidence”. Many years ago, I came across this notion when a magical book landed in my lap and became one of the most important books for me in the years to come.

And you may ask yourself: What is that “creative confidence”?

To quote the expert, David Kelley:

“Creative confidence is the belief that everyone is creative, and that creativity isn’t the capacity to draw or compose or sculpt, but a way of approaching the world.

Creative confidence is the natural human ability to come up with breakthrough ideas and the courage to act on them. When people become confident in their own creative ability, it changes everything.”

You see, all the projects and businesses we have ever started, creative workshops I have ever created and run, and websites we have ever put up together without knowing much of what I am doing are examples of us playing around with ideas, trusting that it is ok to do so, and putting things out there.

And yes, the question I sometimes get is about all the critics out there, and here is where the excellent quote by Brene Brown comes in very handy.

“If you are not in the arena getting your ass kicked on occasion, I am not interested in or open to your feedback. There are a million cheap seats in the world today filled with people who will never be brave with their own lives but will spend every ounce of energy they have hurling advice and judgment at those of us trying to dare greatly. Their only contributions are criticism, cynicism, and fear-mongering. If you’re criticizing from a place where you’re not also putting yourself on the line, I’m not interested in your feedback.”

And because our asses were kicked so often, we embrace creative confidence in ourselves and make sure to implement our ideas and so, just so we can bring more light and creativity to this world.

And you? Are you confident creatively? How do you express it?

P.S. The mentioned book is: “Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All” by David M. Kelley and Tom Kelley.