I don’t know about you, but I struggle to filter input. Especially when attempting to create.

At time, it’s easier to be distracted rather than focus. Yet, if I want to achieve a goal, I have to get into the zone where I can be creative.

One thing I enjoy is music. But it’s a specific type of music. For me, I find I can filter out distractions when I’m listening to electronic dance music (EDM).

I can sense your skepticism. EDM is probably not your thing. That’s OK with me as this post is not about EDM.

This post is about the formula.

(creation + input) x (output + outcome) = goal

Insert EDM themed photo here

For Focus, Filter Input

For me, there are so many things that can distract my creative flow. I don’t know about you, but it’s probably similar.

The needs of my family. The tasks at work. The challenges of my teams.

It can get overwhelming. Frustration can set in. And yet, there are ways to wrangle the distractions.

Our brains do it automatically. We’re unable to consciously manage the amount of information radiated around us.

Have you ever pondered what Bob Ross might do, say, or think? I have, more than once.

Bob was a creator and had a painting show on the U.S. Public Broadcasting System for decades. He was known for painting landscapes and spoke in a smooth baritone voice.

Which brings me to the formulas:

(intent + idea) x (belief + action) = creation

(creation + input) x (output + outcome) = goal

Note, that I carry over “creation” from one equation to the next. As Bob would say, “There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.”

Allow me to explain. I’m not a “maths” guy. I do see a correlation between creation as an individual act and creation as a variable in team performance.

Do, say, or think

Firstly, creators think a thing before they take action.

Secondly, some creators talk about the thing to gain insight on what shape the thing might take.

Finally, the act of doing to bring a thing into existence is step in a simple process.

I’ll admit, it’s probably an oversimplification. If you want to provide more detail, you can comment on the post.

By the way, my SEO analyzer and tendency to organize alphabetically placed an enabling constraint on the headings.

When teams create, they should, collectively “do, say, or think” their way through their processes. It helps develop shared understanding of what they plan to create.

Separately, it can help them sort teamwork from task work. The difference between work is a topic for a future post.

To conclude, creation and be an individual and team function in my equations.

Fear is a terrible thing. It paralyzes us from taking action on beliefs. But, without action, our beliefs are basically worthless.

“It’s easier to act your way into good thinking than to think your way into good action.”

This was a quote used to wrap up “Plan Vs. Act – Rise To The Challenge.” In the context of this post, it is part of the formula below.

(intent + idea) x (belief + action) = creation

Beliefs or mindsets frame how we navigate life. They influence how we connect with people. As well, they enable or inhibit our creative pursuits.

Bold action on beliefs

In a team context, action is what achieves outcomes.

Action is also what serves as the “engine for creation.” In “177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class”, Steve Siebold wrote,

“The goal of world-class performers is to solve problems fast and move on to solving
bigger, more complex problems. After all, the great ones know business and enterprise
are based on problem solving. It’s the cornerstone of commerce.”

Steve Siebold

This is true for teams as well. Problem-solving is action.

Bigger problems take bolder action to solve. All written, this is where the rubber meets the road in the creative process.

Belief is a keystone that enables creative results. Each person and every team hold a set of beliefs that influence how work is done. Discovering core beliefs can unlock creative awesomeness.

Significantly, beliefs are kind of “squishy” in that they can be influenced.

So, for a person, beliefs change over time based on experience and learning. As such, teams alter their beliefs as they discover what they are capable of creating.

In the title, I chose cynosure as it is sharing a similar meaning to “core”. When core beliefs align within a team about their work, they move toward creation.

(intent + idea) x (belief + action) = creation

So many books have been written about belief there is no way I can list them all. To list, here are some points to consider:

• Firstly, beliefs are not normally anchored on fact
• Secondly, beliefs can be tested and should
• Thirdly, beliefs should be altered as facts present
• Fourthly, it is OK to have strong beliefs and yet have them be loosely
• Fifthly, just because beliefs change, does not mean a person is “bad” or “wrong”

How to unlock creative awesomeness

My reading on beliefs led to Dr. Carol S. Dweck. Her book, Mindset, holds an insightful quote.

“You have a choice. Mindsets are just beliefs. They’re powerful beliefs, but they’re just something in your mind, and you can change your mind.” p. 16

So, at a team level, this takes on a new twist. In my opinion, teams can choose to focus on common, positive beliefs. However, some will disagree.

Disagreement is fine. Heck, I would invite disagreement.

Overall, the resulting outcomes from disagreement can improve both the team’s and members’ beliefs. Basically, I this call it “creative friction”.

In the end, belief is one variable in the “creation” equation. Leverage it for team sucess!

During the spring in Texas, we have bluebonnet fields. They are a sight to behold. I think of ideas like bluebonnets in full bloom. The power of ideas in full bloom is a sight to behold.

This post looks at the “idea” portion of the formula below:

(intent + idea) x (belief + action) = creation

Ideas come and go, like a fog or mist. I know there are times when I’m aware of an idea, but immediately trash it for one reason or another.

I need to stop trashing ideas.

The better way is to write ideas down. Explore their value. As well, ask questions about what it would be to bring them into the world.

Many authors have explored themes around ideas. Two I enjoy are Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Edward De Bono. However, one author stands out when it comes to ideas and teams.

The power of ideas

Ed Catmull wrote “Creativity, Inc.” and he write about how ideas can be acted on by teams.

Ed wrote, “Getting the right people and the right chemistry is more important than getting the right idea.” (p. 74). I tend to agree with Ed.

If you’ve ever experienced a group discussion that seemed like it could last forever, you know what that statement means.

Generating ideas might be easy for one person. Giving those ideas substance is more challenging.

In addition to chemistry in teamwork, there needs to be time for ideas to grow. Adding sticky notes to a whiteboard is one thing and the other is exploring “what if” around the notes.

My suggestion is to find time to explore ideas. Then pair the ideas with the intent to make them come alive.

Intent is a powerful tool for problem solving. In the hands of a focused, skilled team, the power of intent yields outstanding results.

Returning to the formulas in my prior post, intent is one of the elements needed for creation.

(intent + idea) x (belief + action) = creation

(creation + input) x (output + outcome) = goal

The basic definition of intent is a clear, formulated plan to achieve, do, or complete.

When solving problems with technology, there is a focus on what the solution will do when it’s complete. Stating intent up front allows the team to focus on the work required in front of them.

While I was considering how I could break down these posts, I focused on intent. I plan to provide examples of how the formula elements combine to equal something greater.

Building on the words in the formula from definition to example was/is the start. It seems to be the most straightforward way of getting the concepts on paper for discussion and refinement.

Power of intent

In the military, the concept of the commander’s intent has been translated to the leader’s intent for the modern workplace.

Two authors have tackled the subject with their respective book. Firstly, L. David Marquet with “Turn The Ship Around!” Secondly, Donald E. Vandergriff with “Adopting Mission Command.”

When team intent is expressed, the team’s direction is set. As well, intent can also come from within the company or from clients and customers.

I like to visualize intent as a compass. It points the team in the right direction. Yet, it doesn’t tell the team how to get to a specific result.

Intent is the north star pointing toward creation.

I’ve been working on two formulas to explain how ideas become reality.

(idea + intent) x (belief + action) = creation

(creation + input) x (output + outcome) = goal

If there is a scientific explanation to these formulas, then I welcome the help validating my hypothesis.

As a “specialized generalist”, some concepts or ideas just pop into my mind. Thankfully, there are people who are smarter than me that can validate my work.

You might be wonder then, what is the purpose of this post?

It’s about teams, creative teams to be specific.

There is a good bit of discussion on “key performance indicators” and “objective key results” in business. John Doerr wrote a book on the subject, “Measure What Matters.” Jeff Gothelf has written several articles on the topic as well.

I’m not going to rehash KPIs and OKRs in this post. John and Jeff have already done an outstanding job on of explaining those topics.

Instead, I’m going to start sharing my thoughts on how stuff gets created by teams.

Ideas become reality

Each person is blessed with creative instincts. I have to think these were developed for human survival.

So, looking at the first formula, creation = idea + intent (belief + action), here is my take. Ideas build on each other, sometime based on improvement and utility. Sometimes novel ideas come to mind.

I get inspired by elegant design. Minimal “flash” and maximum “performance” are concepts that really move me.

In my opinion, two companies that do this well are Apple and Porsche.

So, how does a team get aligned around ideas?

• Firstly, getting them on “paper”.
• Secondly, debating their merits.
• Thirdly, assessing what is possible today versus what is possible in the future.
• Finally, choosing the ideas that can be acted on quickly with low risk and low cost to test their validity.

This is an over simplified list to kick start the next conversation point on intent. Enjoy and please share your thoughts with me!