Fredrik Härén's Blog, page 6

When in Rome… (Episode 235)

Well, actually, I am in Saigon speaking at the Alliott Global Alliance Worldwide conference, and the theme for my speech was “A creative global mindset”.

 

After the speech, one of the delegates, Piergiorgio Zettera from Italy came up to me to discuss the speech.

We talked about the saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” and how it actually should be changed to “When in Rome, understand why the Romans do what they do.”

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To be instructed to follow the customs of the people who live in the country you visit is wise, but it is much wiser if you are curious enough to learn WHY they are doing it differently than the way you are doing something. If you learn the reason for the difference, you might gain a new perspective.

To be curious about alternative ways of doing things that are different from the way you do things is an extra valuable kind of curiosity.

ChatGPT suggests we should call that: Alternativity. And here is the definition:

Alternativity (noun)

The state or quality of exploring, offering, or considering alternatives to conventional methods, ideas, or practices.

A mindset of curiosity and openness to discovering how others approach similar tasks, often to innovate or improve one’s own methods.

Usage:

“His sense of alternativity drove him to investigate how other cultures solved common problems.”

Etymology:

Derived from the Latin alternare (to do by turns) and the suffix -ity, indicating a state or quality.

How is your alternativity?

The post When in Rome… (Episode 235) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

Trash talk (Episode 234)

When Dorji Dhradhul served as Dzongda (Governor) of Gasa in Bhutan he wanted to reduce the problem with trash in the region.  So he gave every public servant (including himself) a bag, and the instructions that when they were out in society and saw some trash, they should pick it up. At the end of the year, the public servant that had collected the most trash was rewarded with a price.

 

Talk about “Walking the talk…”

 

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I interviewed  Dorji Dhradhul today about what the world can learn about creativity from Bhutan as part of my research for my upcoming book “The World of Creativity” coming with Wiley in November 2025. His insights around creativity, which I will share in the book, were nothing short of profound.

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Embrace your problems. (Episode 233)

Today’s lesson: embrace your problems. It will make your life better.

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“I could not imagine my life without problems – it would be so sad.”

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These are the words of Apostol Spassov from Sofia, Bulgaria.

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When he was just 16 (!) years old, he and a couple of his friends realized that Sofia was one of the few capital cities in the EU that did not have a planetarium – so they decided to fix that.

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They had no budget, no experience in building planetariums, and very few contacts – but they had a dream and they had the determination to make it happen.

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Bulgaria is one of the poorest countries in the EU so they could not count on a lot of help from the government, but they would get a small grant of a few thousands euros here, and a few thousand euros there. And every time they got a grant they would build a bit more on their dome.

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Less than two years after coming up with the idea the planetarium was opened. It’s not the largest planetarium on the planet – it might actually be the smallest, as it only seats 13 people on bean bags for each show.

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The planetarium is now a success, and it is profitable. (Turns out that one of their best-sellers are “date night” where a couple can rent the whole dome to project a starry sky while the couple dine in the dome that has been covered on rose petals.

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When I recently met with Apostol, he shared with me that had he known about all the problems that the planetarium building would bring, he might have hesitated to build it, but once they started on the project, they could not stop.

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Perhaps the ignorance that comes at the beginning of a creative project is something we should celebrate. That early ignorance is what makes humans go on a lot of creative adventures that we otherwise would not have gone to.

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What inspired me so much about Apostol Spassov was his approach to problems.

 

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Sitting in the dome, under a million (artificially projected) stars he told me:

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“Problems are what makes life cool.”

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“Cool?!”, I said.

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He replied: “Yes! If you had no problems, life would be so boring! I could not imagine my life without problems – it would be so sad.”

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This approach to problems – no, this approach to life! – is what creates a better world.

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People who welcome, thrive and feed on problems are people who create, improve and innovate.

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Listen to the wisdom of this young man sitting proudly in his dome: “Problems are what makes life cool.”

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So have more problems. Solve bigger problems. And approach your problems with a positive mindset of having them inspire you – not tie you down.

The post Embrace your problems. (Episode 233) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

Think and act local, national and global (Episode 232)

Forget about “Think global. Act local.” Instead, embrace “Think and act local, national and (!) global!”

When you do all three, you “Think and act like a human.”

Last week was the perfect mix of local, national, and global.

On Monday, I gave a pro-bono speech for a local senior citizen group in Lidingö, where I live. 

On Wednesday, I did a workshop on creativity for the top 100+ leaders at Ellevio, one of Sweden’s largest electricity network companies.

On Friday, I delivered a keynote speech for #TeXcellence in Nigeria, one of the largest tech conferences in Africa. 

Mixing insights, inspiration and learnings from a 91-year old Swedish neighbour, with lessons from the inside of one of the largest players in the energy transformation sector in Sweden and then hearing how Africa is changing innovation in tech – all in the same working week – was such a wonderful mix of small and big, local and global, familiar and unknown. Old and new.

 

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I will say it again: Embrace “Think and act local, national and (!) global!”

When you do all three, you “Think and act like a human.”

The post Think and act local, national and global (Episode 232) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

Lessons from a 91-year-old man. (Episode 231)

Today I had a very unique speaking assignment. I had been invited to speak about my private island to an association on Lidingö.
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The man who booked me for this is Göran Sjöberg and he joined the association in 1961 (!) 7 years before I was born… The group meets a couple of times a week to do gymnastics and listen to presentations on different topics. This time they wanted to learn more about the islands around Lidingö and invited me to speak about the island I own (Svanholmen).
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Preparing for the presentation, I asked Göran for an insight from a man who worked more than 75 (!) years in business (mostly in PR) before he retired.
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He said: “We neglect to notice and appreciate many of the big changes that happen in business and society because they take a long time to happen.”
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He told me how, when he started working in the mid 20th century, a lot of people smoked in meetings, the environment was almost exclusively male, and work-life-balance was way off balance. And no, things are not all great now, but Sweden has come a long way in creating a better working environment.
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It’s refreshing to listen to a 91-year-old man who’s long life has given him the ability to have perspective on things.
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What improvements are we slowly implementing now that we will look back at when we are 91 and say, “Good thing we changed our mind about these things, even if it did take time”?

 

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Existential Transformation (Episode 143)

Interview with Pedro S. Pereira , Chief Sustainability Officer, Regional Vice President Latin America & Caribbean at SAP.

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Here is what people do not get about the fundamental change that is happening in business and society at the moment.

It’s not just a “sustainability transformation” or a “green transformation”. It’s an Existential Transformation.

A fundamental shift that involves significant changes in how individuals, societies, and systems interact with the environment and conceive of their roles in preserving the planet.

It’s the largest transformation that humanity has ever seen and it will change everything. Including how we innovate.

Yes, these are big words, but if you are not seeing how big this change is, you are missing the impact it will have on your business and the world.

This text was inspired by a conversation with Pedro S. Pereira , Chief Sustainability Officer, Regional Vice President Latin America & Caribbean at SAP in which he told me: “If you, as an organisation, don’t embrace the mindset of existential transformation, you will not be able to operate. You will cease to exist. That’s a huge invitation to change.”

Would love to know your thoughts. Please post a comment on LinkedIn.

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Frosting – The Art of Taking the Road Less Traveled (Episode 230)

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost.

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In a world where so much of creativity seems to revolve around conforming to what is popular or profitable, there is a different path, one that few dare to tread. This path is about believing in something no one else believes in, a kind of creativity that thrives on challenging the status quo. I call this mindset “Frosting,” inspired by the poet Robert Frost and his famous poem “The Road Not Taken.”

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Frosting is the mindset of believing fiercely in an idea or vision, even when it seems absurd or counterintuitive to everyone else. It’s about embracing the unexpected, the uncomfortable, and the unknown – and finding magic there. I will exemplify the concept of Frosting through the story of the Disgusting Food Museum in Malmö, Sweden, a vivid example of how thinking like no one else can make all the difference.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅: 𝑨𝒏 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈

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When you hear about a museum, what comes to mind? Perhaps paintings, sculptures, or historical artefacts? Now imagine a museum dedicated to the most “disgusting” foods from around the world – everything from fermented fish to century eggs, from maggot-infested cheese to pungent durian. Why would anyone create such a place, let alone expect people to visit it? This is precisely the kind of paradoxical thinking that defines Frosting.

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“We wanted to create an experience that we ourselves would love as visitors,” said the museum’s co-founder Andreas Ahrens whom I met at the museum: “Something that wasn’t just educational but also fun – a memory that you carry with you for years.” The museum invites visitors to confront their biases around food and culture in a way that is both humorous and thought-provoking. Each exhibit challenges preconceived notions about what is “normal” or “acceptable,” forcing people to confront their evolutionary biases about disgust and fear.

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The idea behind the museum was sparked by a simple question: Can we take something that everyone else thinks is a terrible idea and make it work?

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The founders believed in their vision so strongly that they spent months exploring the world of food, prototyping exhibits, and even tasting everything themselves – including insects and fermented shark. They refused to settle for an easy path or a conventional idea. Instead, they chose to “frost” – to take the road less traveled and push the boundaries of what a museum could be.

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“We wanted to create something that would not only educate but also provoke a deep emotional response,” said Andreas Ahrens. “We wanted to force people to feel something, to walk away changed in some way.”

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Frosting was evident in every decision. Instead of just presenting information, the museum incorporated interactive elements that engage all the senses. It isn’t just a static display of foods behind glass; it’s a rollercoaster of an experience. Visitors are invited to smell, taste, and even vomit if they feel like it – and some do. In fact, the ticket is a vomit bag, and they proudly track the number of visitors who have been pushed to their limits. (When I was there the last person to vomit had done so two days prior…)

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When asked about their strategy, Andreas replied, “We are constantly asking ourselves: ‘How can we make this difficult?’ We wanted to find a way to do something in a way that no one had done before, to elevate the experience beyond what people expect from a museum.” Finding a difficult way of doing something is a good way to achieve Frosting, since most people go for the easy way.

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This was no blind conviction. It was “informed conviction” – a deep belief rooted in understanding and data. The founders did their homework. They studied tourist behaviors, cultural biases, and even human psychology to ensure their unconventional idea would connect with visitors. But more importantly, they trusted their instincts and experience to guide them through the unknown.

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𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔

Frosting is about going against the grain and seeing potential where others see only risk or failure. It’s not just creativity; it’s positive contrarian creativity with conviction. As the founder explained, “I never wanted to be like everyone else. I’ve always sought out how to do things completely differently. It’s not about being contrary for the sake of it, but because I truly believe in what I’m doing.”

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This mindset comes from a deep-seated belief in oneself. “Why would I want to fit in with people who treated me poorly? Why would I want to be like them?” Andreas recalled from his early experiences of being bullied as a child. Instead of conforming, he chose the opposite – to stand out, to be different, to think in ways that others wouldn’t dare.

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And this is the essence of Frosting. It’s not just creativity for creativity’s sake, nor is it about rejecting mainstream ideas purely to provoke. It is about looking at the world differently, finding paths that others are too afraid or too conventional to take, and having the courage and conviction to walk them.

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𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒂 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅

In a world obsessed with formulas for success, Frosting reminds us that the most transformative ideas often come from those who think differently. The Disgusting Food Museum is just one example, but its story illustrates a powerful lesson: creativity flourishes when we dare to believe in something that no one else does. And the museum is a hit! They were profitable from day one and now have 55,000 visitors per year to their venue. More locations are to be opened in the near future. People love the unusual experience.

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Whether it’s a new way of thinking about food, business, or life, the power of Frosting lies in its ability to inspire us to take the road less traveled. To see potential where others see none. To trust our convictions even when they seem absurd. And, ultimately, to create something that makes all the difference.

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So next time you find yourself at a crossroads, remember the words of Robert Frost, and go Frosting.

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(This text has been edited by AI to help me look less non-native speaking.)

The post Frosting – The Art of Taking the Road Less Traveled (Episode 230) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

An Atribal Mindset (Episode 142)

Interview with Ling Hai, President for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Mastercard.

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The sense of belonging to a tribe is deeply human. It is the force that fosters our sense of belonging and connection. In many ways, our urge to be a part of a tribe is what makes us human, and it has been a key factor in our species’ success.

 

However, the ability to see beyond the tribe is a skill that can make us even more successful and, arguably, even more human.

 

Let’s explore the concept of an “Atribal mindset.”

 

The word “Atribal” is a newly coined term, but if it were to be included in a dictionary, it would be defined as follows:

 

Atribal (adj.)

 

Definition: Exhibiting a perspective or mindset that transcends traditional tribal affiliations and loyalties, enabling an inclusive and universal appreciation of humanity. Characterized by the ability to understand, empathize with, and value individuals beyond one’s own cultural, social, or ethnic group.

 

Usage: “Her atribal approach to international diplomacy allowed her to foster cooperation and understanding among diverse nations, emphasizing our shared human values over cultural differences.”

 

Positive Connotation: Highlighting an open-minded and empathetic view of the world, where connections are made based on common humanity rather than divisive tribal identities. Encourages unity, mutual respect, and a broader, more inclusive sense of community.

 

A tribal mindset helps us create social divisions within society, consisting of families or communities linked by social, economic, religious, or blood ties, with a common culture.

 

 An atribal mindset helps us see past those divisions.

 

I had the privilege of discussing the advantages of an atribal mindset with Ling Hai, President for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa at Mastercard. Ling Hai was born and raised in China, completed his formative university years in the USA, has worked in China and Southeast Asia, and is now based in the UK. In his current role, he interacts with people from all over the world. Ling Hai has been with Mastercard for about 15 years and has a strong affinity to the “tribe” that is Mastercard, but he, as all of us, also belongs to other “tribes” as well.

 

His international career and life experiences have schooled him in developing an atribal mindset. Being able to think both as a Chinese and as an American, but -crucially – also being able to think as neither a Chinese nor an American, was instrumental when he was part of the team that secured a banking license for Mastercard in China. 

I asked Ling Hai for three tips on how to acquire an atribal mindset. He provided these three suggestions:

 

Develop Your Ability to Observe Commonalities 

 

Ling Hai recently returned from a trip to Romania, where he visited a daycare center for Ukrainian refugee mothers sponsored by Mastercard. He was struck by the universal need for support for single parents. This need is not specific to Ukrainian refugee mothers in Romania; it is a universal need for parents everywhere. Learn to look for needs that we share in common.

 

Celebrate Differences

 

Ling Hai emphasized the importance of diversity of thought. At Mastercard, one of their core pillars is “candor”—the quality of being open, honest, and frank. Candor is crucial in the fast-paced world of technological innovation. It works best in an environment where people of different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences share their opinions. (After all what is the need for candor in a group where everyone thinks the same?) Diversity of thought and perspectives should not just be encouraged; it should be celebrated!

 

Take the Approach of Un-understanding 

 

Ling Hai noted, “The skill – yes, it is a skill – to be able to say ‘I do not know the answer’ is powerful. It sends you on a path of exploration and discovery. It’s not about being ignorant or not trusting your skills. It’s about taking a curious approach, knowing that you only have one perspective based on your experience and expertise, and that there are always other ways of looking at the same problem. To find those other ways, you need to train yourself to feel that you do NOT know THE answer. Only then can you be open to see the other answers.”

 

The mindset should be, “I need to learn” rather than “I know the answer.”

 

In Summary:

 

Developing an atribal mindset is not about losing the advantages that come from belonging to a tribe. It is about being able to see beyond the tribe. Embracing an atribal mindset allows us to appreciate our shared humanity, fostering unity and mutual respect in a diverse world.

 

Assignment: 

Identify what “tribes” you are part of, what “mental blindfolds” belonging to these tribes might have created, and identify what you could do to decrease how those mental blindfolds might obscure your perspective.

 

The post An Atribal Mindset (Episode 142) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐓

Anxiety is like a kidnapper that holds our inner child – the pure, imaginative, and unrestrained part of us – hostage. This inner child represents our creativity, the source of our most authentic and inspired ideas. When anxiety strikes, it constrains our creative potential, confining us to a state of fear and self-doubt.Christine M. Smith, Group Creative Director of Innovation at Virtue, the creative agency by VICE, knows this struggle well. “Whatever I do, I see the worst cases,” she shares. “It doesn’t mean it comes out in my work as the worst case scenario, but I see through everything around me that could go wrong.” Christine has faced significant personal and professional challenges, which have, at times, triggered anxiety that “kidnaps” her inner child, stifling her creative flow.[image error]𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈: 𝑨𝒏𝒙𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒕𝒔 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚Christine explains that anxiety often manifests as a narrowing of possibilities, a mental state where the freedom to create is restricted by fear. “Anxiety is when you… don’t see the solution,” she says, explaining how anxiety forces our minds into a tight space, closing off the imagination.Through her own experiences with PTSD and anxiety, Christine has learned that this mental tightness is the enemy of creativity. “When you let your subconsciousness work for you and stop forcing it, you can find the path again,” she says. But first, we need to confront the kidnapping head-on and rescue our inner child from the clutches of anxiety.𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆-𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒆 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅Christine offers a powerful three-step approach to help rescue your inner child from anxiety’s grip:1. Find a Safe Place to Let Your Guard DownThe first step in rescuing your inner child is to find a safe environment where you can lower your defenses. “I chose to work the way I do today, in a safe place, at home in Denmark, but still be part of the industry,” Christine explains. This physical distance from the typical stresses of agency life helps her maintain a balance that protects her creative spirit. “You nurture the child in a way that continues to have a safe upbringing,” she adds.Finding a safe place can be a literal environment, such as a quiet room, a favorite park, or a corner in your studio filled with creative tools. It can also be an emotional safe place – a group of supportive friends, mentors, or colleagues who encourage you to explore your creative side without fear of judgment. The goal is to provide a space where your inner child feels free and unthreatened, allowing it to emerge from hiding.2. Rationalize Your Fear: Understand What Is Truly DangerousThe second step involves rationalizing the fear that anxiety feeds on. Christine points out that when anxiety takes over, it often amplifies threats that may not be as serious as they seem. “Your head can talk you into so much shit,” she says. “But when you talk to someone else and get another rational perspective of the situation, it often changes how you see things.”To rationalize your fear, ask yourself: What is the real danger here? Is it the act of presenting an idea, or is it the fear of rejection? Christine shares how she had to rationalize her fears after traumatic experiences, understanding that the fear of going into a car was linked to specific events and not the car itself. By separating the actual danger from the perceived one, you start to dismantle the walls that anxiety builds around your creativity.3. Re-kidnap Your Inner Child: Take Back Your Creative FreedomThe final step is what Christine calls “re-kidnapping” your inner child. This involves actively reclaiming your creative self from the grip of anxiety. “Get back into playing,” she suggests. “Face your fears, in the sense of kidnap your child back.” Christine emphasizes the importance of forcing yourself to re-engage with what scares you in a safe and controlled way.After traumatic experiences, Christine made a point of confronting her fears head-on. “Forcing yourself to go to the situation you’re scared of again… it’s cognitive. You need to process what happened and rationalize what the real danger was.” This step is about empowering yourself to take charge of your creativity again, allowing it to flourish beyond the confines of fear and anxiety.𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅: 𝑨 𝑳𝒐𝒏𝒈-𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚Christine’s approach goes beyond merely rescuing your inner child; it’s about raising it in a way that ensures lasting creative freedom. “Raising your inner child is not about making the child an adult,” she explains. “It’s about making a stronger inner child.” This mindset requires continuously nurturing your creativity, allowing it to grow and mature without losing its essence of playfulness and spontaneity.As Christine points out, the goal is not to let the pressures of life and work squeeze the joy and freedom out of your creativity. Instead, it’s about fostering an environment where your inner child remains open, fearless, and ready to explore new ideas. “The older you get, the more playful you should become,” she says, reminding us that creativity is a lifelong process of rediscovering our most authentic selves.𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑹𝒆-𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅Ultimately, the process of overcoming anxiety to reclaim creativity is about “re-releasing” your inner child into the world. Just like a bird that has been captured and must be set free again, your inner child needs to be re-released from the constraints of fear and doubt. Christine’s insights remind us that creativity thrives not in tightness and restriction but in openness, freedom, and trust.“Always trust your gut,” Christine advises, emphasizing the importance of listening to that inner voice that guides us toward authenticity. By creating a safe space, rationalizing fears, and actively re-kidnapping your inner child, you can overcome anxiety and unleash your full creative potential.(This text is based on an interview I did in Copenhagen a few days ago. It has been edited by AI to enhance and correct my non-native English writing )

The post 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲. first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

The Creative Process: Decisions at the Core (Episode 228)

“Creativity is 99% decisions and 1% inspiration.” This reimagining of Thomas Edison’s famous quote about innovation captures a fundamental truth often overlooked: creativity is not merely about sudden bursts of inspiration. As Alice Liu, Partner at innovation consultancy ID8 Innovation, emphasized, creativity is deeply rooted in the decisions we make throughout the process.

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Now, if creativity is indeed about making decisions, then honing our decision-making skills is essential to becoming more creative.

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Alice Liu, who has a rich background in both innovation strategy and neuroscience (she got her PhD in neuroscience around how humans make decisions), offers a unique perspective on this. She explains that decision-making is at the heart of creativity, whether you’re building a startup or creating a work of art. “There’s a lot of decision-making in creative pursuits,” Liu notes. “Knowing when to prune your idea, when to converge or diverge in your thinking – those are all decisions that move you forward.”

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The Role of Decision-Making in Creativity

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At every stage of the creative process – defining a problem, generating ideas, refining concepts, and implementing solutions – decisions are crucial. Liu’s experience in venture building highlights how decisions can shape the outcome of creative endeavors. “In the venture studio, we had to make constant decisions based on data from the market,” she says. “Is there enough evidence to continue down this path? Should we pivot or persist? These decisions are central to the creative process.”

Even during ideation, which is often viewed as the most “inspirational” phase, decision-making plays a critical role. Liu points out that while ideas may come to us unexpectedly, choosing which ideas to pursue and which to set aside requires careful consideration.

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The Neuroscience of Decision-Making in Creativity

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Liu’s background in neuroscience offers valuable insights into why decision-making is so integral to creativity. She explains that our brains are constantly making decisions, often unconsciously. “Our brains are really good at synthesizing a lot of information, even more than we can consciously articulate,” Liu says. This unconscious processing helps us make decisions that feel intuitive, but are actually based on complex neural computations.

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Liu also discusses the concept of “prediction errors,” a key mechanism in how our brains learn from decisions. “Every time we make a decision, our brain calculates a prediction error – how much the actual outcome differed from what we expected,” she explains. “Over time, this process refines our decision-making, helping us make better choices in the future.” In the creative process, this means that each decision, each experiment, and each failure contributes to developing sharper creative instincts.

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Enhancing Creativity Through Better Decision-Making

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Given the centrality of decision-making in creativity, how can we improve this skill? Liu offers three strategies:

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Practice Decision-Making Deliberately: Like any skill, decision-making improves with practice. But Liu emphasizes the importance of practicing effectively. “You need to test ideas early and iterate quickly,” she says.

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The more decisions you make, the more your brain refines its prediction models, leading to sharper instincts and better creative outcomes. Creative people train themselves to effectively come to the point where they need to make a decision.

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Desensitize Yourself to Fear: Fear can often paralyze decision-making, particularly in creative endeavors where the stakes can feel high. Liu suggests that overcoming this fear is crucial. “You need to confront the fear of failure,” she advises. Because fear can stop you from making decisions, or trick you into making the wrong ones.

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“The more you expose yourself to situations where you must make decisions despite fear, the more you desensitize yourself to it.” Over time, this builds the confidence to make bold creative choices without hesitation.

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Think of a person who is pushed to ask 100 strangers for a date. After 100 rejections the person will have lost the fear of approaching a stranger. After that the decision to approach one more stranger becomes easier.

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Respect fear, but work on desensitizing it so that fear doesn’t give you non rational or emotional reasons for not making the right decision.

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Optimize the Path to Decisions: In creativity, it’s essential to make decisions as efficiently as possible, but not hastily. “Find the most efficient path to a decision, but don’t rush it,” Liu advises. “It’s about balancing speed with quality.” This balance allows you to move forward in the creative process without getting stuck in indecision or overthinking.

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In short: Make decisions as fast as optimal, but not faster.

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Conclusion: Creativity is Decision-Making

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As Alice Liu’s insights reveal, creativity is not just about moments of inspiration. It’s about the countless decisions that shape, refine, and ultimately bring an idea to life. The creative process is littered with instances where you have to make decisions – decisions that will profoundly influence the creative outcome.

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By focusing on improving your decision-making skills, you can enhance your creative potential. Whether through deliberate practice, overcoming the fear of failure, or optimizing your decision-making process, each step you take improves your ability to create. And as Liu’s perspective suggests, “Creativity is 99% decisions and 1% inspiration.”

The post The Creative Process: Decisions at the Core (Episode 228) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.