What Story Did You Make Up?

Throughout our lives, we create stories about who we are, what we’re good at, and what we can and can’t do. Often a key breakthrough for my coaching clients is when they examine their story and the evolution of that story. How, when and why was it created?
As a leadership coach, I work with many clients to tap into their creativity. Being creative is an important leadership skill at work and at home as it allows for new possibilities, new solutions, collaboration, openness, discovery… the list goes on. Yet, a story that I commonly hear from leaders is “I’m not a creative person.” Where does this come from?

Gordon MacKenzie, author of “Orbiting the Giant Hairball,” worked in the creativity department of Hallmark Cards for 30 years. He was also an artist, a sculptor, and traveled to different elementary schools to demonstrate both his craft and the magic of creativity.

The following excerpt from chapter one, “Where have all the Geniuses Gone,” describes Gordon’s experience in observing the evolution of the childrens’ stories around creativity.

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