Not everyone is born Creative. In fact, some people simply do not have any innate creativity.
I now know that these statements are, at the very least, flawed and at worst simply wrong. The truth is that every individual has a certain amount of natural creativity.
It is far too common for many of us to under-recognize our own Creative talents and tendencies. We often limit our definition of a Creative strength to a prowess in specific areas like music, dance, and art.
It is also true that, as we come to some understanding of our personal brand of creativity, we grow to a more realized (and better) version of ourselves.
Finding Yourself in the 5 Voices Model
Creativity or a Creative Voice in a professional setting is often described as curious and visionary. Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram, in their seminal book 5 Voices (and their subsequent work with its contents), bring light to the “Creative Voice.”
5 Voices is a simplified (as described by the authors) personality process: a newer vocabulary and language with roots in the philosophies of Carl Jung. It identifies five “Voices” that every individual has within them, in varying degrees. According to the authors, everyone has a “Voice order” where some Voices are more present than others.
Four of the five Voices (Pioneer, Guardian, Connector, and Nurturer) seem to align with other personality methodologies. The Pioneer is a direct communicator and a results-oriented person. The Guardian is your data-informed contributor who relishes process, rigor, and procedure. The Connector is an extroverted and highly communicative colleague. The Nurturer is an empathetic, caring, and people-oriented personality.
The fifth Voice is Creative. If someone leads with their Creative Voice, they are often the brainstorming and ideating person on their team. They see the world many steps ahead of most around them and they are always looking for new possibilities. They ask a lot of questions and, generally, “done” is rarely done. There is always room for more ideas, even after the decisions have been made.
They stretch the team. They think “outside the box.” They come up with new and brilliant ideas. They also risk slowing down the process or confusing the team. They are rarely an active part of the execution or delivery because they are already on to the next idea. They are often not the implementers because their motivation, and their strength, is in coming up with ideas others might not be able to conceive.
The Unique Role of the Creative Voice
People who lead with a Creative Voice (that is, it is the first Voice in their Voice order) are rare. They represent a small percentage of the population (9%) and are usually the only such person in their group or project team.
There is an additional part of the population, me included, that claim the Creative Voice as their second strongest Voice. This mean they can frequently demonstrate some of the same talents and abilities as those who lead with their Creative Voice.
Cultivating Curiosity and Possibility
I have come to believe that being cognizant of a Creative Voice is important in at least two ways.
The first is that those who lead with their Creative Voices are critical to any successful team, project, company, or initiative. They are also in the minority in that environment. The strengths that they bring to the process, especially in the brainstorming and visioning phases, lead to more expansive discussion and ultimately more Creative and unique outcomes.
The obligation of others on the team is to make space for those ideas. Celebrate the Creative person’s new thoughts and their contributions to the conversation. Affirm that they are an important part of the team and dampen any frustration there may be for those who just want to move forward or make a decision.
The second reason it is important for us to be aware of this fifth Voice — the Creative Voice — is that all of us have a Creative Voice, to varied degrees. And that Voice can make us more effective in our roles as leaders, teammates, and group members.
What Becomes Possible When We Embrace Creativity
If we embrace this as a truth, what then becomes possible?
We may permit ourselves to remain more curious for a longer period of time, and we remain open to more possibilities. We could be modeling that disposition for others in our sphere of influence. We might be able to make better contributions to the teams and projects we are a part of. We may be more effective in our work.
I am thankful that, through Kubicek and Cockram’s work, I have reached a new understanding of and appreciation for Creative Voices.
When are you at your most Creative? How do you recognize creativity in others?
Unlock the Creative Potential in Your Leadership
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