“He can’t be the chosen one, he isn’t even a master builder.” I was driving to Columbus, Ohio with my family and The Lego Movie was playing in the back. I had watched the movie with my boys multiple times (I know I am a little kid at heart), but listening to it brought to my mind the awareness of a battle I feel as a leader constantly.
If you aren’t familiar with this movie, part of the plot is lord Business wants to control the entire Lego world and keep tight control on everything. Everyone must follow the instructions and creativity is frowned upon. The “piece of resistance” is on the back of the “chosen one” who can save all the people from “the kragle” which will make everyone be stuck permanently as they are and stifle all creativity.
As I listened it hit me that I struggle with this tension both personally and professionally with the battle between control and creativity. These don’t seem opposed you may say, generally no, but the concepts in the plot of this movie made me think differently. After “googling” these words the following definitions came up:
Control – the power to influence or direct people’s behavior or the course of events
Creativity – the use of the imagination or original ideas
As a leader both are needed, but how do I balance the two? I see one illustration of this tension in parenting. My son wanted to have a leaf raking business last fall. I saw all that needed to be done and I had to resist the urge to try to micromanage him and tell him exactly how to do everything. Yes, the work may have been completed more efficiently, but would my controlling have enabled him to learn some of the processes necessary for running his own business? If I am controlling everything and trying to make it perfect will it help him grow?
This same son is naturally very creative and I had to allow him to think of his own methods for getting business and how he would implement the leaf raking process. I was available to help him with some of the work (such as using the leaf blower since it was a fun toy for dad to play with) and help him process his ideas, but I had to tame my urge for perfection.
The same was true in this movie. Lord Business wanted the Lego world to be perfect and people had to follow the rules. On the other hand there were many people who used their “master builder” skills to create amazing new Lego creations such as a motorcycle out of spare parts or a giant construction machine to save the city.
Do you remember the playground in elementary school? There was a fence to keep you from getting hurt or kidnapped, but you had freedom to do whatever you wanted on the playground as long as you stayed within the parameters. Control for appropriate safety which created an environment for amazing youthful creativity.
As a leaders are we imparting too many controls? Are we taking the need for appropriate controls for accountability and structure so far that it limits those around us from having the freedom to think creatively? Creativity comes out of space to think freely. Do we allow freedom in our schedule to let our minds creatively wander, what about our family’s schedule, what about those we lead at work? Create boundaries, but within the boundaries allow creativity to flourish. Do you allow yourself and others to play on the playground of life at home and work? Share below practices you use to allow creativity to flourish in the areas you lead.
