Creativity has the potential to take women further in their professional lives than ever before – and certainly beyond what leadership abilities can. This concept is one of many streaming through my mind as I read the book Genership 1.0: Beyond Leadership Toward Liberating the Creative Soul by David Castro.
About the Book Genership 1.0
Genership 1.0 is an interesting read that delves into the limitations of the word “leadership,” a term that Western civilization puts a lot of emphasis on as being both important and valuable for adults. However, have you ever thought about what leadership means?
As author Castro explains in the book, leadership is an ambiguous term, with limitations to it by not including the concept of creativity. Castro suggests that instead of focusing on being leaders in our society, we are better off focusing on how we can create our world with others, to create new opportunities for growth. He gives a name to this creativity term and it is called “genership.”
Applying Creativity to Women’s Roles
As I read the book, I wonder, what if women harness their creativity to use it with other women, as well as with men, to accomplish new things in the world. Can you imagine what new and creative opportunities that would open up in the future? There could be new inventions, new perspectives on the world, and a whole new group of women banding together to make waves in the business world that currently is full of gender inequality issues. I get exciting thinking about the progression!
Perhaps if we start to think outside of the box, not just looking at historical patterns but instead focusing on the here and now, we could come up with some creative alternatives to organizational structure, as well as abolish the gender wage gap. New possibilities may be possible when we dig into the possibilities that come with being creative.
Part of this strategy, though, would involve women fully taking the reins of their lives. Sometimes, and I can attest to this, it can be easier just to follow a group leader’s directions and assume that person is steering us in a positive direction. It’s attractive to follow the leader because it places little responsibility on our backs, and we feel like we are being led in the right direction.
However, this strategy has flaws. It assumes the leader IS correct in the direction he or she is going, which may not be the case. Also, it doesn’t give everyone involved equal roles in the project at hand. And so, gender inequality in Western society would not be helped in any way.
Other Thoughts on Creativity, Women and the Future
Instead, creativity may be what takes women further than ever before. It may be the missing energy that we feel gnawing at us and urging us forward to achieve more than we currently see around ourselves.
Of course, the word I use in the title of this post is “can” rather than “will” because there is no certainty of outcomes here. And, patterns sometimes change in life without us being able to predict them. We’ve seen that in the past and will see that in the future.
In addition, what if only some women act creatively, while other women instead choose to act in ways based on past theories? It’s their choice, after all; they can look to the past or create for the future. My gut feeling is that if only some females participate in creating new possibilities for the workforce and home life then there would be limitations.
What are your thoughts on the power of creativity for women?
I agree with your gut feeling. Some will think outside of the box and let their creativity lead them while others will continue along with the traditional approach, but as time changes things, I can only hope that those who choose a new creative lease on life (work-wise as well as home life) will be eventual leaders for the ones who need guidance. Great post Christy! :)
Thanks so much, Charlene. How lovely to see you! Your insight here is wonderful and your words truly encourage anyone who has an inner desire to be creative to go out and pursue it! :)
“Can you imagine what new and creative opportunities that would open up in the future? There could be new inventions, new perspectives on the world and a whole new group of women banding together to make waves in the business world that currently is full of gender inequality issues.”
Right on, Christy, and I hope others listen, because what I’ve experienced is not only gender inequality issues, but gender inequality amongst women themselves! All too often, women incapable of bonding with each other due to jealousy, difference with careers, age, among others. This book sounds very interesting, because it focuses on the relationships between women themselves, which often can be affected in a negative way due to the fierce competition women have to face in the business world. Thanks for the link!
Hi Maria,
Thanks for the wonderful comment! I think you bring up a great point about women being jealous of one another rather than being of support… and that saddens me. If someone cannot help another person then that does say something about that individual’s spirit…
May we rise above and continue to help men and women, time and time again! May gender equality one day be a reality.
As to the book, yes, it’s an interesting one. I’m going to post more about it too. It doesn’t specifically focus on women but instead I applied the theories to females – and it seemed to fit!
I send you smiles for your day :)
I like the idea of creativity much beter than leadership! “Instead, creativity may be what takes women further than ever before. It may be the missing energy that we feel gnawing at us and urging us forward to achieve more than we currently see around ourselves.” Totally true! Great post, Christy! ♥♥♥ ;^)
Thanks Aisha for the kind comment! Who knows what the energy is better than our true selves?! Bring on the positive spirit :)
You say “If only some females participate in creating new possibilities for the workforce and home life then there would be limitations”. My thoughts on this are that there will always people who fear change (a natural phenomenon, especially as one ages) even if it is proven to be beneficial to them. But where some fear to tread, they may eventually follow others who make such steps. Isn’t creativity the freedom to express oneself? If so, as women are more expressive than men then shouldn’t they ultimately be better at it? And if this is the case, one would hope that applied professionally it will result in a more equalised workplace… and world. I am at low-management level – I feel I get results from people because I empathise with them, treat them like human beings, and get them to play a part in decisions, not because of any good leadership qualities.
Thank you Andrea for such a thoughtful comment and for truly considering how the mind of females lends itself toward creativity. There is so much to question and investigate, isn’t there? To get to the equalised workplace you speak of would be a dream come true – and I do hope we are able to create it one day!
So much to question, so much historical damage to rectify, so many wrongs to put right, all over the world….. so that, eventually, EVERYONE will be treated equally.
Exactly! It’s about equalizing the platforms, educating people and realizing there can be hope if we all work together. Thanks for the great comments here, Andrea.
People with the power to think and act in more creative ways will always be better served than those who cannot because the plasticity of mind required for creative endeavors can also adapt to more structured environments as well when given the right opportunities. On the other hand, more business-minded types often have a hard time harnessing the benefits of what can happen from a mind at play.
Ah yes, there are certainly advantages to the creative impulses… and you point out well how the corporate world sometimes battles with that… Oh the mind, what an interesting place to wander!
Christy, Love the post!
Wish I could write as clearly as you! Nonetheless, I will do my best and let my creative flow, from my perspective as a woman whose career is a Costume Designer, and loves a broad range of artistic/creative outlets.
Creativity – is a vehicle to maneuver the highs and lows of life, career, love, and more.
When one “creates” one achieves a true sense of “Power”. Whether one creates a productive environment for the co-workers they lead, a business plan, a painting, a song, a gown, a poem, or the costumes for an entire movie, the sense of accomplishment is “Powerful”. :D
I think writing is one of the most powerfully creative tools!
Resa, Thanks for sharing your thoughts here! Your talents are strong in creativity-centered fields of costume design and photography. You are a woman who spreads her wings and flies her own path – which is why I think you’re so awesome! So nice what you say here about writing – it’s a tool I’m so proud to use daily! Talk soon :)
:-) :-)
“New possibilities may be possible, when we dig into the possibilities that come with being creative”.
Oh yes… Such an interesting and very well penned post, Christy… I agree with you when you say that Creativity has the potential to take women further in their professional lives than ever before, but also understand that they might be limitations as regard to its availability and concrete possibilities particularly in certain scopes
Thanks for sharing it. Best wishes, Aquileana :D
Thank you, Aqui. I am glad you found the post to be a valuable one for you and to see the potential that awaits the creative spirit! :)
while men and women are equally innovative, their gender roles in an organization can affect two very important aspects of the ideas and thinking they bring to the table.
That is a great reflection, Mihrank! Bring on the innovation, indeed!