The Synergies, Efficacies and Strategies Involved in Teaching Creativity and Leadership Together: A Grounded Theory

Leadership researchers and authors cite creativity as an important leadership skill. Creativity researchers and authors cite leadership skills developed as the leader internalizes cognitive, rational and semantic problem solving skills. In this study, eight faculty members at Buffalo State College who uniquely teach creativity and leadership together were interviewed regarding their opinions about how and why creativity and leadership are taught in the same program and they were invited to explore the connections between the two subjects. The resultant qualitative data was analyzed using Atlas.ti to develop a grounded theory describing what is needed to teach creativity and leadership together effectively and the synergies that result from that practice. Findings include showing creativity as a strong component of effective leadership, a definition of Creative Leadership, the importance of a creative environment for both creativity and leadership and the need to develop a creative mindset along with the skill set and tool set usually imparted to leaders through training and education programs. Implications for the program at Buffalo State involved additions of more interpersonal skills and balancing the subjects appropriately. Implications for other programs emphasize the creative environment and the need for time, education, a skilled faculty and patience for the synergies to develop