CREATIVE LEAPS INTERNATIONAL

"Transformational leadership -- out-of-the-box thinking – THIS is the kind of thing that truly transforms governments. Creative Leaps International and their Concerts of Ideas are powerful examples of how to use advanced thought and out-of-the-box thinking to create new paradigms of action.  And I've never seen anything else that so clearly demonstrates this. I have been through 12 of the 15 Concerts of Ideas here at CEMM and I've learned something different every time.  Everybody I've had go through this experience has liked it and been really impressed with this concept. So, I'm a big fan."

Herbert Tillery, Deputy Mayor for Operations, Washington D.C.
former Director, Center for Excellence in Municipal Management (CEMM)

Creative Leaps International has worked with government leaders, managers and their organizations at all levels from the White House to federal bureaus and commissions to local city governments.  Our clients have included:

Our projects with the White House originate with Vice President Gore’s Reinventing Government Conferences and the establishment of the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Municipal Management, the latter collaboration running for six years through 18 iterations of its successful program.

With the creation of the Council for Excellence in Government, incorporating the three levels of government residing in Washington, D.C., Creative Leaps International was called upon to address what proved to be a standing room only crowd of more than 500 government professionals keen to discover what we had to say about leadership and integrity in government service.   The overflow crowd was remarkable for at least two reasons: one, the event was rumored to have some sort of arts or music component, and second, the competing semi-plenary was the much proclaimed session on national security.  The Creative Leaps team had been warned in advance that its attendance would likely be sparse at best.  Yet people kept coming in filling every seat and lining the walls.  Asked why they had come, several said they didn’t know, that it just felt important and they were curious.  At seven minutes after the hour, the doors were closed and three members of Creative Leaps team took the stage.  Suddenly, there was music – Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” – and voices singing from within the crowd as three other members of the Creative Leaps team rose to their feet in song and moved toward the stage.  The room resonated with the sound of kettle drums, piano, flute and three heroic voices in full flight and the audience exploded into applause even before the opening piece was finished.  Suddenly everyone knew why they were there.  This music, these voices from the arts, were their own spirits rallying, their own voices lifted in tribute to the very reasons they had entered public service. 

The Concert of Ideas which followed became a kind of town hall.  Intermittent to the musical selections, which were indeed designed to light a fuse for reflection and new possibilities, there was animated conversation across the footlights and dialogue with neighbors left and right.  The room was alive with ideas and became safe for honesty, reflection, sharing and speaking out.  Seventy-five minutes later as the last notes of the concert rang forth and applause echoed mysteriously through the convention hall corridors, there was this palpable sense that things were different, that people were closer, that they were now a community, a thoughtful community alive with purpose and with joy.  Imagine that.  Joy at a government conference.

Whatever you may be planning for your team, division, sector or department, you may want look into teaming up with Creative Leaps International to bring your agenda to life in ways you might never have expected are possible.  As learning specialists and performing and creative artists, members of the Creative Leaps team are expert at positioning the arts as catalyst to new thinking and spark to engaged participation.  Custom crafted Concerts of Ideas, workshops, seminars, culminating Harvests of Learnings and facilitated de-briefings represent an array of conferencing and training innovations unique to the field.  

Read what participants have written into their evaluations and consider giving us a call: 845-469-7254.

"The music created the time and opportunity to LISTEN to others.  Listening is so important and a great tool of our trade.  We have tools like this inside us, yet we complain we don't have the tools we need to do our job.  But we really DO have these tools inside us and they are deeper resources than the computer, the fax and the photocopier.

 

"The concert was like a mirror to us. We saw ourselves, our feelings, our thoughts and values - our selves - in the various music and the messages.... We became aware of what we transmit - what people take away with them from encounters with us. It made us see the power of integrating our lives into our interactions with our colleagues. Learn about them more as people and the system in which they operate - know who they are."

 

"It brought up the 'George Concept'!  We didn't know who the leader was. Everyone was a leader while they performed and was supporting and assisting when they weren't performing.  They were a 'whole'.  No one person was 'the leader'. It is important when we go back to our jobs - to encourage each person. Each person at work is a leader."

 

"It gave me energy and I felt exhilarated. Each of us can try to revitalize the government in our own way. We would like to bring the artists' attitude - joy at what they do - into OUR work. It is inspiring - the harmonious respect that the artists showed - we too can bring that home - implement that in our daily lives."

 

"We learned there is more than one way to do a task. Our imaginations took over when the music was played and we shared our imaginations (something I don't do).  It is the human aspect of leadership. It brings out patience, compassion and indulgence."

 

"I experienced vast changes of emotions. The concept opened our minds and showed us the connection from point A to point B as a good leader. You get there by interaction - with our teams, giving time to digest concepts and ideas, allowing evolution and process. I know now we will learn to balance what we will really need as leaders."