Note: There are two brands of Creatives: Creative-Thinkers and Creative-Feelers. There are some similarities, but also notable differences. Creative-Thinkers (CT): logical, analytical, clever, critical (INTP) Creative-Feeler (CF): relational, idealist, aware of environments (INFP)

 

What We See…

• Can inspire us or frustrate us

• People have hard time understanding what they are trying to say

• Thrive when contributions are valued and appreciated

• Will shut down when their ideas are shot down

• Like to drive innovation, growth, and improvement

• Like to sit and listen before speaking

• If they have nothing to share, they won’t speak

• Their drive and constant ideas tends to wear others out

• Tend to ignore financials and other limits

• Big “Starters,” but not “Finishers” which leads to decline in influence

• Champion of new ideas

• Looking forward to what's coming next (trends, ideas, etc)

• Think outside the box and through a different lens

• CT: Tend to sound harsh

• CT: Don't work hard on relationships (no patience)

• CT: Hard to follow them when they speak

 

Strategies…

• Willing to replace themselves if they believe enough in the vision

• Big picture is king

• Help them be considerate of others

• Be ready for a “Who says we can’t?” mindset

• They are alert to others who might challenge their competency.

• They tend to be skeptical: “Do you have a proven track record?

 

Will shut down if (Triggers):

• You waste their time or threaten the vision

• Encourage them to listen to all viewpoints

• Have thick skin and be ready for unexpected “explosion” of critique

• Be prepared to be dismissed if they aren’t confident in you

• Give them freedom and a platform to share ideas

• CF: Take time to understand what they are trying to say and ask question to help them communicate

• CF: Speak truth about them so they can hear outside opinions

• CF: Practice a daily, verbal self-charge to speak truth over yourself (secure, confident and humility)

• CF: Celebrate, Care, Clarify, Critique (with permission), Collaborate

• CT: Coach them in sharing ideas (when they know you're FOR them)

• Give them consistent time to ask, "What are you seeing that I might be missing?

• Give them weak-side help with Guardian tasks (70/30)

• Let people into your world to contribute

• Avoid assumed expectations…

• Give them space to dream w/o micro-managing

• Give them the tools, time and information they need and get out of the way

 

What We Don't See…

• Constantly thinking about future

• Never satisfied with status quo

• The word, “Can’t” is not part of their vocabulary

• Can see opportunities and threats before others

• Future more exciting than present

• “Good enough” is not acceptable

• Constantly asking, “How does this help achieve the vision?” and “Why are we limiting ourselves?”

• Will focus on 10% incomplete more than the 90% that is done

• Want to be valued and part of a team

• CF: Harder on themselves than others (Dominate themselves)

• CF: Constantly analyzing themselves ("Am I ____ as good as I say I am?”)

• CF: Hold their ideas close to their heart...when you critique their idea, they hear you attacking them

• CT: Has the least need for people

• CT: Tend to be cautious with ideas until trust is established

 

What They Need to Hear from Us…

• We want to hear your ideas…

• How can I help make your idea a reality?

 

Rules of Engagement…2nd

 

Weapon…

• Creative Feeler: Hulk / Would rather die than back down...can be ugly

• Creative Thinker: Sniper / Will sit quietly, then begin taking aim and point out inaccuracies