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In this episode of the Tech Trajectory, host Chris Davis sits down with Pete Cohen to explore the often-overlooked role of creativity in leadership. With a unique perspective bridging multiple disciplines, Pete shares insights on fostering innovation, balancing structure with creative freedom, and making room for unconventional ideas in high-pressure environments.

1. Creativity as a leadership skill

[03:36] Leadership is often associated with strategy and decision-making, but creativity plays a crucial role in navigating uncertainty and fostering innovation.
[04:05] Creativity in business and tech: “bringing something new into the world,” particularly in early-stage ideation.
[05:19] Great leaders balance vision and inspiration with collaboration, encouraging others to contribute creatively.

2. Real-world examples of creative leadership

[07:06] Pete recalls a telco project where shifting to platform-as-a-service (Heroku) allowed the team to move significantly faster—an unconventional decision that led to a project breakthrough.
[08:49] Creativity can often accelerate progress rather than slow it down, challenging the misconception that innovative thinking is inefficient.

3. The role of innovation in high-pressure environments

[11:52] Leaders must define what innovation means within their business—whether it’s transformative, sustaining, or efficiency-driven.
[14:08] Storytelling is key to maintaining stakeholder buy-in and momentum when testing new ideas.
[16:11] Encouraging teams to take creative risks requires creating a psychologically safe environment where failures are seen as learning opportunities rather than setbacks.

4. Lessons from music and psychology

[23:38] Pete draws parallels between leadership and music, emphasizing the importance of intuition, flow, and improvisation.
[24:13] Referencing Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow, he highlights the need to balance rapid, intuitive creativity with structured, methodical execution.
[27:19] Creativity can be cultivated by giving oneself space—whether through running, engaging in hobbies, or simply slowing down to allow ideas to surface naturally.

5. Building a culture of creativity in tech teams

[29:09] Unconventional methods, such as using physical artifacts like zines to document ideas, can unlock new perspectives in workshops and discussions.
[30:00] Leaders should facilitate open-ended problem-solving sessions rather than relying on pre-defined solutions.
[31:36] While music can inspire creativity, Pete prefers organic team interactions over background noise when fostering innovation.

Where to find Pete Cohen

• LinkedIn: Pete Cohen
• Music: Smith and Cohen (formerly Sodastream) – New album releasing this year!

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