Are there any people in your world that simply aren’t like the rest? You know, the kind of people who will always be different – not on purpose, but just because that’s how they actually are? I guess in our own ways we are all pretty different – but where it gets tricky is when leaders, business owners, co-workers, or friends try to suppress the creativity of those who are “different”.

Having attended a college for creatives, I used to constantly find myself surrounded with people like this – people that see the world a little differently. I guess I’m like that. I was a little relieved to be in contact with other people like me, but it also made me see people in a different way – especially when it came to leading others with a creative streak.

So how do you lead a group of creatives like that? Here are a few tips to help if you have friends or team members like this:

1. Find common ground
This is the hardest part, because often creatives are introverted and don’t say much. They may seem to be closed off, but once you become a consistent presence in their world, it helps to try and find some common ground. It could be something that both of you like to chat about – something positive and interesting.

2. Use their strengths
Leaders tend to focus on people’s weaknesses, and try to help them improve on these – but when it comes to creatives, that may be the wrong approach. Rather play to their strengths: Are they good at dealing with other people? Do they excel on time management. Helping them build on their strong points could be more productive in positioning them for success.

3. Provide clear vision
The mind of a true creative is occupied by a thousand things at once. In order to break through the noise, you have to cast a clear vision – you have to start with a well-defined idea of where you are heading. We all know the concept of “thinking outside the box”. But without a “box” to begin with, you just have a bunch of people shooting in the dark. So casting vision – defining the “box” – is a great starting point.

The bottom line is this: If you want to build creative leaders, you have to be patient and intentional!

Godspeed.