Articles & essays
Ideas for the
work that matters.
The latest writing and podcasts from Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, and Louder Than Words.
Leading
How Good Leadership Overcame My Fear Of Heights
Where are you standing at the back of the line and disguising it as "generosity"? Great leaders call out of us what is already inside.
Creating
Why The Future Belongs To Those With Something To Say
Why fluency is not meaning, mimicry is not connection, and proximity is not work.
Creating
How To Stay In The Long Moment
Attentional fracking is stealing more and more small moments from you. Will you have the courage to stay with your thoughts long enough for them to become something?
Creating
Talent Gets You In The Game, But Your Practices Keep You At The Table
Many young creative pros think their talent will sustain them. However, you need to build infrastructure to support your ambition.
Leading
When “Good Enough” Becomes the Dominant Culture
Something happens on teams when efficiency wins every argument. Here's how to manage that tension.
Leading
Playing Different Games at the Same Table
Everyone is optimizing for something. That's the reason your team's tension might not be a problem to solve but a reality to name.
Leading
What Leaders Can Learn From Australia’s War On… Birds
One very embarrassing military campaign, and what it means for creative leaders today.
Creating
“Do” vs. “Through” Work and the Bargain of AI
You may be automating the wrong things. There is work you just need to get through, and there is work that you need to actually do. Do you know which work is which? And are you willing to protect it?
Leading
The Hardest Thing Is To See What’s In Front of You
A lesson from Lincoln on dealing with moments of opportunity and danger.
Creating
Do You Have “Escape Hatches”?
When you're responsible for creating value in the face of uncertainty, it's easy to find ways of escaping doing the work. You need to close your escape hatches.
Leading
5 Questions Every Creative Pro Should Be Asking
We're in an era of unprecedented change and uncertainty. Here are five questions that every leader should be asking to ensure they're not falling prey to "uncertainty drift."
Leading
Super Chickens vs. Super Coops
Focused on hiring only all-star performers? May want to think again. Here's why team intelligence out-performs superstars nearly every time.
Creating
Want To Go Fast? Slow Down.
When it comes to results, maybe optimization isn't really the answer. Two experts share why finding rhythm and inner excellence are the key to sustained performance.
Leading
How To Be “Lucky By Design”
It's easy to chalk up some people as just "lucky." But what if their luck is actually just a skill they've developed? Economist Judd Kessler shares the hidden markets that can give you an advantage in life, leadership, and creative work.
Leading
How To Be a Super – Communicator
Ever feel like no matter what you do, you're always misunderstood? Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charles Duhigg shares key practices of leaders who know how to connect deeply with others.
Free · Every week
Get the next essay in your inbox.
Plus the weekly Action Guide from Daily Creative: practical ideas for leading and creating, every week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
You’re in. Your first Action Guide is on its way.
