Channeling Rick Rubin
Sunday night’s Grammy Awards and Beyonce’s historic genre-crossing award for Best Country Album got us thinking about the creative process.
Sunday night’s Grammy Awards and Beyonce’s historic genre-crossing award for Best Country Album got us thinking about the creative process. Like Beyonce, music producer Rick Rubin has worked with artists across genres. Unlike Queen B, Rubin has limited musical abilities of his own. Yet he’s produced some of the music industry’s hottest albums: Tom Petty’s "Wildflowers," the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under the Bridge,” the Beastie Boys’ “License to Ill,” and hundreds more.
Rick’s genius lies in his ability to bring out the best in artists. Natalie Maines from the Chicks once said, “He has the patience to let music be discovered, not manufactured.”
While you should check out Rick’s book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, here are a few of his strategies:
“Look for what you notice, but no one else sees.”
Fuse Strategy Group (FSG): Start by embracing curiosity. What’s buzzing in the background that everyone else is ignoring? Dive deep into the details, and don’t be afraid of the unknown.
“You have to be willing to not know what’s going to happen next.”
FSG: Embrace uncertainty. It can be your creative playground and your competitive advantage.
“The best ideas come from collaboration.”
FSG: Gather your team, then mix it up with fresh perspectives, and let those conversations flow. You never know what magic might happen when different minds come together.
“The only thing that matters is that you’re making something that’s real.”
FSG: When you’re true to yourself, your story becomes compelling, and people will connect with it.
Rick’s ideas provide great guideposts for organizational leaders: seek the unseen, embrace the unknown, collaborate fearlessly, and, more than anything, stay authentic.
These are the roots of creativity and when harnessed effectively are powerful forces to help leaders navigate through chaos, complexity, and uncertainty. At Fuse Strategy Group we help clients see and seize opportunities to spark growth. Let's connect to talk about how we can help unlock your creative powers.