Reading Creativity Inc – Overcoming Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration. At heart, a book on the value of creative ideas, expressions, explorations. Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull writes “creativity is expression of ideas that I believe make the best in us possible”.
For 20 years, Pixar dominated world of animation – Toy Story trilogy, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, UP. Set box-office records, garnered 30 Academy Awards.
Joyousness of story-telling, inventive plots, emotional authenticity are ultimate lessons in creativity. Ed Catmull had a dream to make 1st computer-animated movies. Attributes success to a unique, passionate work environment at Pixar based on real leadership, management philosophies, culture that nurtures, encourages, inspires creative thought processes, plans.
Catmull, “give a good idea to a mediocre team, they’ll screw it up. Give a mediocre idea to a great team, they’ll come up with something better. Strive to create what’s unimaginable. Not manager’s job to prevent risk. Manager’s job is to make it safe for team’s to take risk’s. Cost of preventing errors is often far greater than cost of fixing errors. Company’s communication shouldn’t mirror organisational structures. Everybody should be able to talk to anybody.”
Fascinating insights, interesting, inspiring. Plenty to learn.