I read a blog post this summer that changed my whole perspective on what it means to be truly creative, as well as what it means to be a parent, and a leader. Sounds like a high order, and indeed it is.

The post was by a woman named Mica Angela Hendricks, an artist and illustrator. She told a story on her blog, Busy Mockingbird, about how she learned an important and surprising lesson in creativity from her 4 year-old daughter. The lesson was this: You can increase your creativity by...

I've been an employee for the last 26 years. I've been an employee, effectively rising through the ranks of very successful companies. Most recently, I was a highly valued, recognized employee of a $1B+ multi-national that was a leader in its field.

Oh yeah...and I was pushed out. With no explanation. Just business, they say. Gotta cut some costs. So we let a few people go and scoot around some chairs on the deck of the Titanic. (Way to be bold!)

Immediately I set about "finding" a new...