Room for Play
Ready — The legendary actor, John Cleese, has spent years exploring what makes people creative. He believes creativity is not a special gift, but a disciplined way of thinking. Creativity thrives when we protect time, embrace curiosity, and learn to play . . . again!
Set — His key theme is simple: “Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating.” Creativity takes root when we give ourselves permission to think freely before rushing to act. That happens by . . .
Creating Space for Thought. Constant busyness kills imagination. Growth-minded leaders carve out protected time free from interruptions to dream, pray, and think. When leaders slow down, ideas speed up. Space is the soil where creativity grows.
Balancing Reflection and Action. Cleese contrasts the “tortoise mind” (slow, reflective thinking) with the “hare brain” (fast, reactive doing). Healthy leadership requires both. Reflection allows wisdom to take root; action gives it life. The key is to let thought mature before rushing forward.
Rediscovering the Power of Play. Cleese insists that play is not childish. Rather, it’s essential. Experimentation, humor, and curiosity spark innovation. Creativity flourishes when leaders take small, risk-free steps that invite learning and laughter.
Expanding Perspective Through Experience. Fresh environments awaken fresh ideas. Travel, reading, and exposure to new people and places refresh a leader’s imagination. Sometimes the best way to find inspiration is to step outside your normal routine.
Grow! — Creativity is less about brilliance and more about balance between the rhythm between focus and freedom, action and reflection. As Cleese might say, “We don’t know where good ideas come from, only that they appear when we make room for play.
Two Questions
When was the last time you set aside uninterrupted time to play?
Do you lead from the “hare brain” of constant action or the “tortoise mind” of thoughtful reflection, and how might you create a healthier balance between the two?