Hey Reader

Happy Christmas to you and your family & friends! 🎅🏻🎄

This is the last 'Fine Lines' of 2024 so firstly thanks for your time and support since we started in early 2024.

Today we're finishing with something that's gonna provoke & challenge you and prove insightful in equal measure.

You want to rise above the crowd. You want to lead differently, better, smarter.

But here’s the hard truth: You’re playing it safe.

You’re doing what every other sports leader does — sticking to the tried and tested. And yet, you wonder why you’re not standing out.

It’s time to change that.

A few weeks back I released a video on You Tube focused on helping you leverage an underused and undervalued leadership skillset.

Because fostering a culture of creativity and innovation is the hidden secret of many of sports consistent high-achieving leaders, teams, clubs & organisations.

Creativity isn’t a luxury; it’s your competitive edge. Let’s unlock it.

Your Read Time today is = 4 minutes..Remember to connect with me on social channels like X and Instagram​

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Stop✋Thinking Like Everyone Else!

When I talk with sports leaders about being more creative they tend to clamp up tighter than a camel's butt in a sandstorm!

And when we dig into this visceral reaction it's clear from responses like...'don't know how' or 'where would we get the time' or 'way too busy for that right now', that a lot of it is fear based; a fear of the unknown.

For sure, creativity is a topic and pursuit as broad and deep as the ocean. I know it can be a real challenge. But there are huge rewards. Here's a few openers that just might help ease the door open and help you and your people walk on through.

Creativity Is Not ‘New Age’ — It’s Survival

I get it. Creativity sounds fluffy, soft, maybe even a bit "out there." You’re working in a world of alpha mindsets, grit, and grind. But here’s the reality: The best leaders, the ones you aspire to, are the most adaptable. And adaptability is creativity in action, right?

Think about the game. It changes every second. The coach who can adapt, who can think differently under pressure, is the one who wins.

Key takeaway: Creativity isn’t about ‘artsy’ ideas. It’s about survival, innovation, and staying ahead of the competition.

Constraints Don’t Hold You Back — They Set You Free

Ever feel limited by resources, time, or player availability? Good. That’s your opportunity.

Phil Hansen, a talented artist, developed a hand tremor. Instead of quitting, he embraced the constraint and created a whole new style of art. His limitation became his strength.

In your training/coaching sessions, what if you viewed constraints as opportunities to innovate? Fewer players? Smaller pitch? Use it to design scenarios that challenge your athletes to adapt creatively.

Action step: Next session, introduce a constraint. Maybe limit touches or shrink the playing space. Watch creative solutions emerge.

You Control the Creative Environment

If your athletes aren’t thinking creatively, ask yourself this: Are you giving them the freedom to do so?

FC Barcelona’s coaches use Preferential Simulation Situations (PSS) — drills that mirror the unpredictability of real games. They encourage athletes to explore, adapt, and think differently.

Rigid drills produce rigid players. Creative drills produce adaptable players.

Key challenge: Design one drill this week that forces athletes to make unpredictable decisions. Or if you're a people leader then craft one question or exercise that fosters creativity and returns a new insight or viewpoint.

The Eyes Have It: Perception Fuels Creativity

Creative players and people see what others miss. They scan, observe, and adapt.

Research shows that athletes who engage in more visual search — looking around, gathering information — produce more creative decisions.

Practical tip: During your next session, challenge your athletes to scan more. Simple cues like “Look around” or “Check your surroundings” can unlock new levels of creativity. Equally this can be applied to your leadership team - ask a question and seek an answer that hasn't been considered before.

Dumb Questions Lead to Smart Breakthroughs

In a world obsessed with answers, questions are your secret weapon.

Ask the ‘dumb’ questions others won’t. Challenge assumptions. Break rigid thinking patterns.

Tim Ferriss says, "Asking dumb questions can take many forms." Don’t be afraid to ask, "Why do we always do it this way?"

Action prompt: What’s one “dumb” question you’ve been afraid to ask about your coaching? Ask it. You might unlock a game-changing insight.(Pro Tip for the last two points: ensure a high level of 'psychological safety' for everyone so that new or left-field ideas aren't dismissed or laughed at; often these ideas are the kernel of something great)

Creativity Is Action, Not Theory

Ferran Adrià, the legendary chef, uses a "Creative Audit" to systematically improve innovation. You can too.

Evaluate your team’s creative culture: Are you fostering experimentation? Are you sharing ideas openly?

Small step: Try a 5-minute post-session reflection. Ask your athletes: "What did you try today that was different? What worked? What didn’t?"

Conclusion: Your Competitive Edge Lies in Creativity

Creativity isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s the lifeline of high-performance coaching. Constraints, exploration, and asking tough questions are your tools for unlocking innovation. Remember, every great head-coach or leader once faced the same doubts you might be feeling now.

The difference? They took action.

You have the power to create a culture of adaptability and curiosity. You can be the coach who stands out, not because you followed the crowd, but because you dared to think differently.

Start small, experiment, and give yourself permission to fail forward. Creativity is within your grasp. All you have to do is reach for it.

Your Turn: Let’s Talk Creativity

I want to hear from you. What’s the biggest obstacle to creativity in your coaching? Email me at paul@theleaders.coach and let me know. Let’s start the conversation.

Enjoyed this issue? Share it with a fellow coach who needs a creative spark. And if you’re hungry for more insights, check out my YouTube channel: Paul Clarke - The Leaders Coach.

Let’s connect: On X and Linkedin - #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #HeadCoach

Another Newsletter You Might find valuable....

Marc Hildebrand - Modern Leadership Coaching We Coach Coaches To Defy Limits At Modern Leadership Coaching, we help coaches build unshakable confidence in their skills and deepen their mastery of coaching to create the life, business and impact they desire. Subscribe​

A Master's Voice....

You're a leader; so you're an agent-of-change. And in that role you have to help people push their own and other's boundaries in a psychologically safe environment focused on growth, progress, development and finding a better way. A culture built on creativity is a great start.

Thank you for being part of the Leaders Coach community. The work on how to lead better is something you have to do alone. But you don't have to do it on your own. Onward and Upward, Paul Clarke

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