Creative Confidence

August 5, 2013
The Kelley brothers offer their collective knowledge from their design firm IDEO to teach readers how to access their latent creativity and enhance their careers. David shares his experiences teaching at an eclectic Stanford program where “students from different backgrounds... nurture their creative talents” and collaboratively solve problems. The brothers outline strategies to kick-start inspiration, like simply daydreaming and observing people to get a sense of their unmet needs. They suggest keeping a “bug list” where you track inconveniences in your daily life and consider possible solutions, and rating your days to keep track of creative activities you find fulfilling. They stress overcoming fear of failure and negative judgments as well as acting quickly, instead of overplanning, by setting small goals and prototyping. Also included are tips for entrepreneurs to enhance “creative confidence at an organizational level,” like making a community chalkboard, inviting input from younger associates, and using more proactive speech patterns. The brothers provide examples of thinking outside the box, like methods employed by the Stanford students who created the Embrace Infant Warmer, used to keep underweight babies warm in rural India. If you seek more creative energy for yourself or your team, this book will provide valuable instruction and empowering encouragement. Agent: Christy Fletcher, Fletcher & Company.