Paradoxes of creative and productive leaders

What is a paradox?

My reliable friend “Google search” reveals that a paradox is: “a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true.” Another description puts it this way: “a statement or proposition that, despite sound (or apparently sound) reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory.” These are tension and seeming contradiction yet producing results that may very well surprise us all.

I have found these qualities in many leaders and achievers I have worked with over the years. Perhaps you have found these qualities in your people as well. You need to recognize these and appreciate them rather than misunderstanding them and undermine your leadership capabilities. And who knows, perhaps you can see the same qualities in your kids as well? Here are some of the paradoxes of creative and productive people:

1. QUIET BUT ACTIVE. RESTING BUT WORKING.

They are quiet but never interpret this as shyness. They seem to be resting most of the time but do not take this as their being lazy. They are expending a great deal of energy – mental energy because creative people would work long hours; they need to concentrate more and while all of the work is going on, they still need to present an appearance of control, freshness and interest.

2. INTELLIGENT BUT INNOCENT. LEARNED YET NAIVE.

Todd Henry writes a book titled “The Accidental Creative.” I was so fascinated with his work I invited him to Manila and the two of us gave a conference. He uses these words frequently: “Creativity by demand.” Would this be possible? And yet creative people cannot do work based only on “moments” when they are inspired to be “creative.” Their work necessitates them to produce and generate a lot of ideas. Yet they are also needed to switch ideas and carry on different perspectives switching it from one side to another.

3. PLAYFUL YET SERIOUS. OUTWARDLY LAX YET INWARDLY DISCIPLINED.

Sometimes the “carefree” attitude is misunderstood as being lax or careless. Do not let this picture trick you. What you may not see is the amount of discipline they display when they do their work. Perhaps their being playful is the way they cope with their doggedness, grit, perseverance, and endurance. Without anyone witnessing it; these productive and creative people work late into the wee hours of the morning and travels a path where most people would have given up out of sheer exhaustion or frustration.

4. IMAGINATIVE YET PRAGMATIC. OPTIMISTIC YET REALISTIC.

This is a serious interplay between what is imagined and what is a reality. This is the ability to tell a story ahead of time in terms of a vision and then putting skeletons, structure, and systems into the mental picture until the idea becomes a product, a design, an app or an enterprise. It is this kind of optimism that is seen yet realistic in terms of execution. A fantastic paradox that not too many people possess yet highly required in entrepreneurial endeavors.

5. REBELLIOUS YET INTROVERTED. EXTROVERTED YET HUMBLE.

I have met them, I have seen them and I have worked with them. Their rebelliousness compels them to challenge the status quo at all times yet they do not strut around like an overdressed peacock trying to impress people all the time. On the contrary, they are either seated quietly in a corner contemplating ideas and observing the drama, yet the mind begins to cook up ideas to improve what they see. But when they roll up their sleeves and start working, they make things happen, yet they maintain the humility to understand that they may be wrong and they are open for correction.

These paradoxes that you see in productive and creative people bring forth another kind of paradoxical effect on them and I can say this with full confidence as I have experienced the same thing.

The leader’s sensitivity and openness and the portrayal of all these paradoxical qualities expose him or her to both sufferings, pain but at the same time experience fulfillment and enjoyment as well. But then all the pain and suffering are worth it in line with the enjoyment of the creative work resulting from it.

This is where a sense of purpose and meaning comes as a great reward and compensation for all the work done. The grind is there, the conflicts, the confrontations, the ruffling of feathers, the upsetting of people, the bashings, the slander, and all those painful experiences now fully offset with creative work of art, the satisfaction, the nobility of hard work and most importantly, the benefits it brings to others. And then, of course, the added side-rewards of public praise, compliments, awards and honors which in reality make them uncomfortable at times yet proud sometimes (which speaks of another paradox) leaving the creative and productive leader with a sense of: “It’s all worth it!”(Attend the two exciting and inspiring days of leadership training with Francis Kong in his highly acclaimed Level Up Leadership seminar-workshop on April 2-3 at Makati Diamond Residences across Greenbelt 1. For registration or inquiries contact April at +63928-559-1798 or register online at www.levelupleadership.ph)