Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All

by Tom Kelley, David Kelley

Overview

IDEO founder and Stanford d.school creator David Kelley and his brother Tom Kelley, IDEO partner and the author of the bestselling The Art of Innovation, have written a powerful and compelling book on unleashing the creativity that lies within each and every one of us.

Too often, companies and individuals assume that creativity and innovation are the domain of the "creative types."  But two of the leading experts in innovation, design, and creativity on the planet show us that each and every  one of us is creative.  In an incredibly entertaining and inspiring narrative that draws on countless stories from their work at IDEO, the Stanford d.school, and with many of the world's top companies, David and Tom Kelley identify the principles and strategies that will allow us to tap into our creative potential in our work lives, and in our personal lives, and allow us to innovate in terms of how we approach and solve problems.  It is a book that will help each of us be more productive and successful in our lives and in our careers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780385349369
Publisher:	Crown Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/15/2013
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	79,275
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

TOM KELLEY is a partner at IDEO, and the author of the bestselling The Art of Innovation and The Ten Faces of Innovation.

DAVID KELLEY is the founder of IDEO, one of the world's leading innovation and design firms, as well as the creator of the d.school at Stanford University.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Creative Confidence"
by .
Copyright © 2013 Tom Kelley.
Excerpted by permission of The Crown Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

The Kelley brothers offer their collective knowledge from their design firm IDEO to teach readers how to access their latent creativity and enhance their careers. David shares his experiences teaching at an eclectic Stanford program where “students from different backgrounds... nurture their creative talents” and collaboratively solve problems. The brothers outline strategies to kick-start inspiration, like simply daydreaming and observing people to get a sense of their unmet needs. They suggest keeping a “bug list” where you track inconveniences in your daily life and consider possible solutions, and rating your days to keep track of creative activities you find fulfilling. They stress overcoming fear of failure and negative judgments as well as acting quickly, instead of overplanning, by setting small goals and prototyping. Also included are tips for entrepreneurs to enhance “creative confidence at an organizational level,” like making a community chalkboard, inviting input from younger associates, and using more proactive speech patterns. The brothers provide examples of thinking outside the box, like methods employed by the Stanford students who created the Embrace Infant Warmer, used to keep underweight babies warm in rural India. If you seek more creative energy for yourself or your team, this book will provide valuable instruction and empowering encouragement. Agent: Christy Fletcher, Fletcher & Company. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

CREATIVE CONFIDENCE is a myth-busting, muscle-building gem of a book. It shatters the false belief that only some people are creative. Then it provides a smart, practical action plan for boosting your innovative capacities. If you want to be more creative, read the Kelley brothers' words, follow their advice, and then—as they'd tell you—do something!"
Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive, A Whole New Mind, and To Sell is Human
 
“David Kelley has unleashed the power of design thinking for thousands of Stanford students and hundreds of influential Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. In CREATIVE CONFIDENCE, he and his brother, Tom, share their secrets about how each of us can find our creative powers. They describe a way of thinking that will change your professional and personal life.
Charlie Rose, acclaimed interviewer and broadcast journalist
 
“This book changed me. CREATIVE CONFIDENCE is that rare combination of thought leadership, soulful storytelling, and real-life exercises that inspires you to reclaim your creative passion and courage. I feel braver already. “
Brené Brown, Ph.D., author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Daring Greatly

“This is the only book about creativity that you'll ever need.”
Guy Kawasaki, author of APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur
 
“A five-star Wow! This wonderful, heartwarming book may literally change the world. Indeed, it must change the world. Don’t just read it. Use it. Now.” 
Tom Peters, bestselling author of In Search of Excellence

“An indispensible field guide for creative explorers of all kinds.
This compelling book will help build creative muscles for when you need them most.”
Todd Spaletto, President, The North Face

“Creativity is not magic, it's a skill.  Get this book and learn the skill from the brothers who have taught it to more people—f rom nurses to bankers to teachers to computer scientists—than anyone else.”
Chip Heath, author of Made to Stick, Switch, and Decisive
 
“A cross between Steve Jobs' commencement speech on creativity and a modern-day What Color is your Parachute?, the Kelley brothers offer simple but effective tools for the "I'm not creative" set—business leaders and professionals seeking the confidence to innovate.”
John Maeda, President & CEO, Rhode Island School of Design
 
“In hospitality – like in all industries – creativity is the life blood of engaging employees and guests (customers) and it is the capacity that allows you to strengthen your brand with every interaction.  This book can help you engage powerfully with employees and customers and keep your brand relevant through changing times.”
Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
 
“I have long marveled at the Kelley brothers’ ability to innovate in seemingly impenetrable fields (like health care). Now they’ve unfettered that power in all of us, sharing the tools and inspiring the confidence we need to find the very best solutions to complex problems we face at work—and in our personal lives.”  
Gary L. Gottlieb, M.D., President and CEO, Partners HealthCare System
 
“David and Tom have written an incredibly insightful book that challenges us all have the courage to break out of our ruts, innovate, and create.”
Tim Koogle, former President & CEO, Yahoo
 
“Developing both the courage and confidence to create and the ability to cultivate original insight is of enormous practical importance, and this new book is the first place I send people to learn how it is done.”
Richard Miller, President, Olin College
 
“David and Tom Kelley show us how to effortlessly dance between the creativity of elementary school and the pragmatism of the business world.”
Joe Gebbia, Co-founder, Airbnb

From the Publisher

With his resonant voice sounding as relaxed as ever, it’s clear that narrator Dan Woren is totally connected to this stimulating audiobook. Conveying thoughtfulness without pretense, he has a limitless range of pitch combinations that always make his phrasing sound fresh. In this work two design and engineering geniuses (one invented the computer mouse) offer an accessible process for becoming a fearless and productive creator. Among their many recommendations are accepting frequent failure as part of the process, staying alert for creative opportunities, and cultivating empathy for those who will use your creation. Their snappy writing and urgency about putting ideas into action make listening to this can-do lesson an invigorating ride. T.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2013 - AudioFile

With his resonant voice sounding as relaxed as ever, it’s clear that narrator Dan Woren is totally connected to this stimulating audiobook. Conveying thoughtfulness without pretense, he has a limitless range of pitch combinations that always make his phrasing sound fresh. In this work two design and engineering geniuses (one invented the computer mouse) offer an accessible process for becoming a fearless and productive creator. Among their many recommendations are accepting frequent failure as part of the process, staying alert for creative opportunities, and cultivating empathy for those who will use your creation. Their snappy writing and urgency about putting ideas into action make listening to this can-do lesson an invigorating ride. T.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2013 - AudioFile