I just went for a long walk. I wanted to try out the recent advice of a seasoned leader. She said, “One thing I have learned as a leader is that I need my space.”
As we talked, she explained that creating space allowed her to do more than just “think.” She told me that it allowed her to look at the issue from another perspective. She said that creating space made her more strategic and ultimately more effective in making decisions. She said stepping back to reset was not necessarily natural or easy. However, she realized that being an effective leader at home and at work meant having the discipline to create space.
So, I went for a long walk to try out her concept of creating space. I found that it allowed me to process, think, renew, refocus, and plan. Not bad for one walk.
We all know the importance of slowing down and avoiding burnout. What we fail to see is that creating space is a proactive discipline. It deserves just as high a priority as all the things we allow to clutter our lives.
Don’t listen to me, try it for yourself. Plan an intentional block of time away from everything (including our technology addiction). Use the time to settle your mind, your heart, and your soul. Don’t have any expectations of the time, just be in the moment.
Choose to create space in your life, and you will make a difference.
Larry Little Eagle Center for Leadership
Creativity is the fourth pillar of The Areté Way. It is the foundation for growth, adaptability, and forward movement. In today’s world, leaders must solve unfamiliar problems, think beyond fixed systems, and guide others through unpredictable conditions. Creativity enables leaders to explore what is possible, generate solutions, and challenge assumptions when established approaches no longer work.
Creative leadership is not about inspiration or abstract thinking, but instead is about being practical, adaptive, and intentional. Leaders must make decisions while in motion, seek out better ways of working, and model a mindset that supports innovation under pressure. When leaders apply creativity consistently, they build stronger learning habits, solve problems more effectively, and raise overall performance.
At Areté, creativity focuses on two critical capabilities: leading through Change and applying practical Innovation. Change addresses how leaders remain grounded and effective when expectations, plans, or conditions evolve. Innovation develops a leader’s ability to improve systems, test new ideas, and lead teams toward more effective outcomes. Together, these modules support leaders in becoming flexible, solutions-focused, and ready for what comes next.
“The uncreative mind can spot wrong answers, but it takes a very creative mind to spot wrong questions.”
— Sir Anthony Jay
Supervisors support teams through constant change and daily problem-solving. You are responsible for keeping your employees steady and productive when plans shift or expectations evolve. Creative leadership at this level means being clear, open to adjustments, and ready to help your team try new approaches when needed. As you work through this pillar, think about how you can bring flexibility into your team’s routines and support progress in the face of uncertainty. Let’s get started!
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Larry’s Leadership Launch
I just went for a long walk. I wanted to try out the recent advice of a seasoned leader. She said, “One thing I have learned as a leader is that I need my space.”
As we talked, she explained that creating space allowed her to do more than just “think.” She told me that it allowed her to look at the issue from another perspective. She said that creating space made her more strategic and ultimately more effective in making decisions. She said stepping back to reset was not necessarily natural or easy. However, she realized that being an effective leader at home and at work meant having the discipline to create space.
So, I went for a long walk to try out her concept of creating space. I found that it allowed me to process, think, renew, refocus, and plan. Not bad for one walk.
We all know the importance of slowing down and avoiding burnout. What we fail to see is that creating space is a proactive discipline. It deserves just as high a priority as all the things we allow to clutter our lives.
Don’t listen to me, try it for yourself. Plan an intentional block of time away from everything (including our technology addiction). Use the time to settle your mind, your heart, and your soul. Don’t have any expectations of the time, just be in the moment.
Choose to create space in your life, and you will make a difference.
Larry Little
Eagle Center for Leadership
Creativity is the fourth pillar of The Areté Way. It is the foundation for growth, adaptability, and forward movement. In today’s world, leaders must solve unfamiliar problems, think beyond fixed systems, and guide others through unpredictable conditions. Creativity enables leaders to explore what is possible, generate solutions, and challenge assumptions when established approaches no longer work.
Creative leadership is not about inspiration or abstract thinking, but instead is about being practical, adaptive, and intentional. Leaders must make decisions while in motion, seek out better ways of working, and model a mindset that supports innovation under pressure. When leaders apply creativity consistently, they build stronger learning habits, solve problems more effectively, and raise overall performance.
At Areté, creativity focuses on two critical capabilities: leading through Change and applying practical Innovation. Change addresses how leaders remain grounded and effective when expectations, plans, or conditions evolve. Innovation develops a leader’s ability to improve systems, test new ideas, and lead teams toward more effective outcomes. Together, these modules support leaders in becoming flexible, solutions-focused, and ready for what comes next.
Supervisors support teams through constant change and daily problem-solving. You are responsible for keeping your employees steady and productive when plans shift or expectations evolve. Creative leadership at this level means being clear, open to adjustments, and ready to help your team try new approaches when needed. As you work through this pillar, think about how you can bring flexibility into your team’s routines and support progress in the face of uncertainty. Let’s get started!
Don’t forget to mark this week as ‘complete’ before you leave!
Crossing Generations Landing Pad
Change