Chuck Close is a meticulous artist with remarkable talent and resilience. In a recent interview, he raised some interesting questions about creativity. He wondered about even using the word. For him, creativity was a by-product of work. In the midst of working on something, between the lines of the work, new ideas emerged and new possibilites came into awareness. Most came while working in teams – working with those who were supporting the project in a wide range of ways. Creativity has to do more with paying attention to ideas that emerge in thoughtful conversations about a project than in sitting around waiting for some muse to speak.
Jazz musicians know this dynamic, as do great teams. The joy of great teams, whether in music or in the office, is the delight that comes from discovering news ways of being productive and beneficial. It’s the process of generating a pleasing performance.
The lesson is to just get on with doing the work, all the while keeping your senses open to new possibilities that emerge between the lines of the project.
