Correct me if I’m wrong – but the image above represents a picture that many of us have in mind when it comes to creative & innovative thinking.
- a higher level of intelligence
- an experience that triggers a new discovery
- a last name like Jobs, Einstein or Da Vinci (does not hurt).
On the contrary, when you look closely at, you discover a muscle that, when exercised, can achieve extraordinary results.
A leader I was coaching, was contemplating ways to reinforce the missional values of his 7 year-old church. As he brainstormed ideas, the thought of sharing stories rose to the surface. Initially, interviewing people in the congregation, sounded like a good possibility. When challenged to think outside the box, he pondered the power of having an “outsider” (person who had been blessed by the ministry of people from the church) share his/her experience of being on the receiving end. The light bulb went on! This captured“why” the church is doing “what” they are doing. Over time, the “outsiders” inevitably explore the motive behind these selfless acts of kindness that are positively impacting the local parks, athletic teams, schools, business leaders and neighborhoods.
This idea did not come from a higher level of intelligence. Nor was it triggered by some extraordinary experience. By the way, the leader’s last name is Pope. If you would like to develop your muscles, or help those you coach, check-out the Creativity & Innovation Skill Builder under the menu with the same title. Here is the story of tranformation how the Sunnyside High School baseball team was blessed by God’s Generosity through the missional community members (Groves), anchored in Sequoia Church in Fresno, CA.
