Creative Leadership
There is a need for new forms of leadership that are more empathetic and expansive, conversational and communal, and above all, creative. This informative and accessible book examines whether designers can actually be leaders and, if so, whether they can be better leaders because of their creative capability. It then examines how the tools of design, particularly in its most human-centred and collaborative form, might actually hold the key for the next generation of leadership.
Creative leadership is based on three values that give everyone leadership potential: creativity, clarity and empathy. Creativity is a universal ability to develop solutions that positively impact ourselves and others; empathy is the hallmark of a 21st century leader; and clarity is the missing link in aligning vision, direction, and communication. Whilst the term 'Creative Leadership' has existed on the sidelines for decades, the articulation of it in this book is unique. The ideas grew from the author's experience in leading over 100 design projects with government, business and the third sector - from small, medium enterprises, to large multinationals. They have been tested out internationally through workshops and research conducted with individuals and organisations.
Rama Gheerawo is Director of The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art, UK. He won a Design Week 'Hall of Fame' award in 2019 and was named a 2018 Creative Leader by Creative Review alongside Paul Smith and Björk. He is a serial innovator in the fields of Inclusive Design, Design Thinking and Creative Leadership having led over 100 projects working internationally with governments, business, academia and the third sector with partners such as Samsung, AgeUK and Panasonic. Rama advises awards, universities and organisations such as the UK Design Council, the Design Management Institute, The Bhavan Institute for Indian Culture and the RSA Decolonising Design Initiative. He has been a Visiting Professor in Denmark and Poland.