S6 | 496: The link between creativity and innovation with Anne Jacoby
About the Episode
Today we’re going to talk about the link between creativity and innovation and how leaders that empower their teams to tap into their own creative sparks can achieve stellar results while increasing their teams’ engagement.
To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Anne Jacoby, Founder & CEO of The Spring Street Solutions Company, and author of Born to Create.
About Anne Jacoby
Anne Jacoby has spent over 20 years cultivating creativity in business. As employee #7, she helped create a new category of disruptive professional services firm where she hired, developed and led teams to establish a best-in-class engagement management program, scaling the firm to hundreds of new clients and thousands of employees in 3 countries. With an MBA from NYU’s Stern School of Business, Anne has delivered innovative solutions to the world’s most dynamic companies. She has launched offices in Chicago and Southern California markets, helped rebuild a companywide learning and development function, launched a popular internal podcast series, activated a new corporate brand, and facilitated continuous improvement initiatives. She has served hundreds of clients including F100 investment banks, international media firms and emerging tech start-ups, and led internal workshops in dozens of locations around the world. Her leadership roles have spanned from General Manager and VP of Sales Effectiveness in a high-growth private company to the head of Learning, Development + Culture at a multinational public company of 4000+ employees.
Before her transition to the corporate world, Anne spent 15 years as a professional singer, actor, dancer and voice-over artist in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City. She has performed from coast to coast, appearing on stages from Radio City Music Hall to the Paramount Pictures studio lot. Her healthy obsession with storytelling began in her youth, and she attributes her creativity, curiosity and grit to her climb from waitress to business leader and entrepreneur. Anne is an advocate for arts education for young people and proudly served on the board of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.
Resources
Spring Street Solutions website: https://www.springstreetco.com/
Find Anne's book Born to Create on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Born-Create-Creativity-Connection-Innovation/dp/1639080716/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
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Synopsis
Creativity is a vulnerable act that requires practice and discipline, as discussed in the podcast episode featuring Anne Jacoby, author of "Born to Create." Anne emphasized that creativity is not just about sudden inspiration but a skill that can be developed through effort and dedication.
Drawing from her background in the performing arts and transition into the business world, Anne highlighted the essential role of creativity in both realms. She stressed that creativity, whether in the arts or in business, involves a sense of connectedness with others and the world, fueling innovation.
The conversation with host Greg Kihlstrom explored the concept of creative confidence, emphasizing the need to navigate discomfort and vulnerability in the creative process. Anne referred to these challenges as "little love notes of resistance," indicating that overcoming them leads to growth and increased creative capacity.
Anne debunked the misconception that only certain individuals are inherently creative, emphasizing that everyone has the capacity for creativity. She encouraged listeners to embrace creativity as a valuable skill driving innovation and problem-solving in various aspects of life and work.
In conclusion, the episode underscored that creativity is a skill honed through practice, discipline, and a willingness to embrace vulnerability. By understanding and embracing vulnerability, individuals can unlock their creative potential and achieve innovative outcomes.
Anne also discussed the importance of fostering a thriving creativity culture, emphasizing the need for connection, innovation, and inclusion. She highlighted the significance of creating a safe, inspiring, and inclusive environment where team members feel psychologically safe, inspired, and part of a supportive community.
To cultivate such a culture, leaders should focus on building connections, encouraging innovation, and promoting inclusivity. By creating an environment where team members feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and collaborating, leaders can empower individuals to tap into their creative potential and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
Regarding technology in the creative process, Anne noted its role as a tool to overcome creative challenges. While technology can provide prompts and facilitate brainstorming, true creativity is deeply rooted in human connections, emotions, and experiences. The combination of technology and human experience can lead to more innovative and meaningful outcomes, allowing individuals to unlock their full creative potential and produce impactful work.
Anne Jacoby, Founder & CEO, The Spring Street Solutions Company
