I – Mouth

“Don’t listen to the loudest voice in the room; listen for the truest one.”
— Bob Goff, a former attorney turned bestselling author, speaker, and farmer, who embraces a whimsical and impactful approach to living.

The first part of “The Death of the Creative” focuses on “mouth”— how the loudest voice isn’t necessarily the right one.

“But George, we already know this! Why are you repeating what’s already out there?”

I know, I know. But I want to show you my opinion on how a loud voice can hamper and destroy creatives due to a lack of awareness and ego.

“Mouth” will be broken down into three parts: Get in Line, But I’ve Done This, and the Steps of Tranquility.

Get in Line

Overview: Linear thinking can stifle creativity. The fear of making mistakes often leads creative individuals to produce mediocre work just to seek approval.

People who think linearly (in a straight line) tend to be logical, sequential, organised, and efficient, with unwavering concentration. However, they often lack adaptability, have a limited view of reality, and become more risk-averse due to a fear of failure.

As creatives, convincing others to think differently is tough, especially in small businesses. It’s far too easy to listen to the business, copy what they say in a marketing brief, and call it brilliant just because you’ve put a shiny sticker on it.

A new look doesn’t mean you’re going to do something differently.

When I talk to marketer’s, and more importantly freelancers, I tell them that they are the experts, so show that you are.

However, creative people are often quiet and unaware of their potential because uncreative people tell them what to do.

They lack awareness of their worth, and when they are knocked down constantly over period of time, they look to conform, producing dull work and often doubting themselves.

I fall foul of this too. Just because I don’t see it one way, doesn’t mean it’s not the right way. I’ve failed before by being too intricate or trying to be too clever, when sometimes the most straightforward marketing can be the best. But in the same breath, it can be the most bland, too.

That’s the thing with marketing; it’s in a constant state of change. Then this is where it gets tricky.

As human beings, we are reluctant to change—change our ways, change who we are, “I don’t need to change”.

If you think your way is gospel, that the way you do your job is the only way, that your linear way of thinking is the only way of thinking, what happens when a creative who is introverted, quiet, and has ideas different from your way of thinking joins the workplace?

A world in which we all think the same would be pretty boring. Accepting that we all think differently and if you’re in a position to funnel and allow creativity to flow, do it and don’t dismiss it.

Our own pride will destroy us all.

But I’ve Done This

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less. – C.S. Lewis

Overview: In today's society, the value of humility is overshadowed by self-promotion and titles, hindering true creativity and equality.

In today’s society, genuine humility seems to becoming non-existent.

Humble individuals are often overlooked or berated in a culture that celebrates self-promotion. There is a fine line between hearing people celebrate their wins and boast about their achievements.

An obsession with titles and achievements can lead to an environment where humility is lost, causing us to fail to see each other as equals. Statements like "I’ve done this and this," when compared to someone just starting out in their career, can make people feel undervalued and demoralised.

When people hold a titles, humility has to be a desired quality as literature states here and again over here. However, people who lack the ability to practice humility or allow it to become unchecked can create a hostile environment.

However, when it comes to creativity, your credentials don’t make you superior to anyone else.

Creativity thrives on the diversity of thought, experiences, and perspectives.

By placing undue importance on someone’s or your own accolades, we risk missing out on valuable insights and innovative ideas from those who might not have the same formal recognition but possess immense creative potential.

The steps of tranquillity

Overview: Quiet, introspective creatives often produce remarkable ideas, but lack of humility in collaborative environments can stifle their innovation and create a toxic atmosphere

In my experience, creatives often find power in silence. In solitude and deep focus. Their voices may not be the loudest in the room, but their ideas speak volumes. In the quiet, they observe, think deeply, and channel their thoughts into remarkable creations.

When seeking a boost in creativity, I picture myself ascending steps on an unfamiliar mountain and entering a room with a river flowing through it. I take a seat on a pillow and observe the river moving uphill or downhill, allowing me to direct its flow as needed.

This visualisation technique enables me to reach a state of mind conducive to generating innovative ideas.

This inward reflection, prompted by external stimuli, fosters creativity by allowing deep thought and the development of unique ideas. Secondly, creativity is linked to having a strong sense of self and introspective behaviour, which makes creative individuals more likely to produce innovative and original work.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” – Aristotle.

Lastly, research shows that highly creative individuals are more achievement-oriented and less affiliative—traits commonly associated with introversion. This focus on personal goals over social affiliations allows for a more profound dedication to creative pursuits.

But what happens when a quiet creative meets a Mouth?

It can create an environment where creative ideas are easily dismissed. Such individuals often become fixated on their past achievements, believing that their way is the only right way.

This mindset can lead to arrogance and a lack of openness to new ideas and perspectives.

In a collaborative setting, this can stifle innovation as they may disregard input from others, especially if those contributors lack similar credentials. This dismissive attitude can demoralise team members and inhibit the free exchange of ideas, which is crucial for creativity.

As a result, potentially groundbreaking ideas may never be explored or developed, leading to a stagnant and uninspired creative process.

Without humility, there's a risk of creating a toxic environment where only the ideas of the most decorated individuals are valued, regardless of their merit. This not only limits the potential for creative breakthroughs but also undermines the contributions of less recognised team members who might offer unique and valuable insights.

“Humility is at the equilibrium of ego. When we're on centre, we manage our ego rather than it managing us.” – Steve Smith, "Humility: Striking the Balance Between Ego and Equilibrium"

Stand and deliver

When it all boils down to it, it’s important to have a culture of humility and creativity for a thriving and dynamic environment.

I believe linear thinking is good to a certain extent but an overemphasis on titles and achievements can stifle innovation and equality, leading to a toxic atmosphere where only the ideas of the most recognised individuals are valued.

Championing diversity of thought, self-awareness, and introspection can unlock the full potential of creative minds, ensuring that all voices are heard and appreciated. By managing our egos and promoting an open mindset, we can create a space where creativity flourishes, ultimately leading to more groundbreaking and original ideas.

Ignore these principles and be eaten alive.