Creativity & Trust: The Foundation of Leadership

On March 1, I was asked to talk about Creativity and Trust as two essential leadership values at a District 4 Leadership Summit for Soroptimist International of Americas, Sierra Nevada Region.  

Below is a copy of the presentation on Creativity & Trust: The Foundation of Leadership.  

After reading, I welcome your thoughts on creativity and trust in the comments below.

Happy Thursday, you amazing humans. 

-srt

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Good morning, incredible women leaders!

I’m Stacy Rea Thomas, President of Soroptimist International of Lincoln, and it’s such an honor to be here with all of you today. I’m excited to talk about two powerful values that define great leadership: creativity and trust. These aren't just abstract ideas—they're what fuel innovation, help us build strong teams, and create lasting impact in our communities.

Let’s start by talking about creativity.

Creativity isn’t just for artists or tech innovators. It’s a mindset, a way of thinking that we can all embrace as leaders. It’s about looking at the world and seeing not just what is, but what could be. As leaders, creativity is more than just thinking outside the box—it’s about reshaping the box entirely.

But here's the thing: we have to acknowledge what stifles creativity. There are things that hold us back:

• Fear—the fear of making mistakes or failing.
• Perfectionism—thinking that everything has to be perfect before we act.
• Negativity—a culture of doubt that can drown out new ideas.
• And, of course, the most destructive phrase of all: "We’ve always done it this way."

In our work as Soroptimists, we face complex challenges in empowering women and girls. But creativity is the tool we can use to find new solutions. It’s not about change for change’s sake, but about finding new, impactful ways to connect with the people we serve, the members we want to join and to create lasting value in our communities.

Now, let's shift to trust—which is absolutely essential to leadership.

Trust is the foundation on which everything else is built. As leaders, we need to be honest about:

• The challenges we face.
• The resources we have (or don’t have).
• And the realities that we need to face to move forward.

Honesty requires us to be vulnerable. It means admitting when we don’t have all the answers, asking tough questions, and being willing to have those hard conversations. Without honesty, trust is impossible. And without trust, creativity can't thrive.

So, what destroys trust?

• Dishonesty—not being truthful or withholding important information.
• Control—trying to micromanage and not empowering others.
• Gossip—which destroys morale and breaks connections.
• And, a club destroyer, Triangulation—

Triangulation in a club refers to a situation where two people involve a third party to manage conflict or manipulate a situation, instead of directly addressing the issue between the two of them.  That third person creates a triangle. This is particularly harmful in clubs, where teamwork and communication are essential for success.  Triangulation creates division instead of collaboration. 

But if fear, perfectionism and negativity kills creativity, then courage is what fuels it.

If control, gossip, triangulation and dishonesty stifles trust, then transparency is what nurtures it.

Now, let’s put these ideas into action.

I want to invite you to participate in a short creative exercise. In front of you, there’s a blank postcard. Here’s what I’d like you to do:

On one side, think about when you started your leadership journey.  What is one piece of advice you received or wish you would have received? Write that piece of advice on the left side of the postcard next to the blank address.

Now flip the postcard over.  Sad postcard, just blank.  Here, I want you to think about a time when creativity and trust worked together to help you lead. Use words, symbols, or drawings—whatever speaks to you.  Your artistic expression is what we are after. So turn the creativity on and feel free to use the gel pens in front of you.

Once you’ve finished, put your finished postcards in the plastic bag, with the gel pens I borrowed for today.  They will be picked up after lunch.

Before I wrap up, let me leave you with this final thought:

Leadership isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about transforming them. When we bring creativity and trust together, we don’t just adapt to the world around us—we shape it.

As you reflect on your leadership, take a look at the handout in front of you: Creativity & Trust: What Kills Them and How to Protect Them. I challenge each of you to read both sides and reflect on your own leadership style and how these values show up. After, reflect on your club.  Then, consider how we can strengthen these values in ourselves, our clubs and in the work we do.

Let’s commit to fostering creativity—not just in what we create, but in how we lead. And let’s commit to trust—not just in our words, but in our actions.

Because when we lead with both creativity and trust, we don’t just create leaders—we create movements.

Thank you!

///End

Handout:  Creativity & Trust: What Kills Them and How to Protect Them

 How Creativity is Stifled

Creativity flourishes in environments that encourage risk-taking, exploration, and open thinking.

🚫 Creativity Blockers & Common Phrases

1. Fear of Failure – Avoiding risks due to fear of judgment.
   "What if this doesn’t work?" | "We’ve never done it that way before."
2. Perfectionism – Overanalyzing instead of taking action.
   "It’s not ready yet." | "It has to be flawless before we show anyone."
3. Lack of Psychological Safety – Fear of criticism or rejection.
   "That’s a dumb idea." | "Just do what you’re told."
4. Overwork & Stress – No mental space for creativity.
   "I don’t have time to think about that." | "Just get it done."
5. Rigid Rules & Bureaucracy – No room for innovation.
   "That’s not how we do things here." | "Follow the process, no exceptions."
6. Lack of Autonomy – Micromanagement stifles creativity.
   "Let me see it before you proceed." | "Just follow my instructions."
7. Negativity & Pessimism – Focusing on why things won’t work.
   "That’ll never work." | "It’s not worth the effort."
8. Routine & Monotony – Doing the same thing every day limits fresh thinking.
   "That’s how we’ve always done it." | "Why change something that works?"
9. Instant Gratification Culture – No patience for creative exploration.
   "We need results now." | "If it doesn’t work immediately, don’t bother."
10. Comparison & Competition – Self-doubt from constant evaluation.
    "Their idea is better than yours." | "You’ll never be as good as them."

✅ How to Assess Creativity

• Observe Meetings: Are members actively contributing ideas?
• Survey Members: Ask if they feel encouraged to take creative risks.
• Review Past Initiatives: Have there been any new or innovative projects recently?

✅How to Encourage Creativity:

• Embrace experimentation and learning from failure.
• Encourage open dialogue and risk-taking.
• Provide a safe space for brainstorming without judgment.
• Foster a culture where mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.

How Trust is Destroyed

Trust is the foundation of strong teams and relationships.

🚫 Trust Breakers & Common Phrases

1. Dishonesty – Withholding or distorting the truth.
   "I never said that." | "Just tell them what they want to hear."
2. Inconsistency – Unreliable actions create doubt.
   "I know I promised, but things changed." | "We’ll get to it later."
3. Lack of Accountability – Shifting blame instead of taking responsibility.
   "That’s not my fault." | "Let’s just move on."
4. Gossip & Betrayal – Speaking negatively behind someone’s back.
   "Don’t tell anyone, but..." | "Can you believe what they did?"
5. Micromanagement – Lack of confidence in others.
   "Let me just do it myself." | "Send me updates every hour."
6. Unfair Treatment – Favoritism or bias undermines trust.
   "That’s just how it is." | "They always get special treatment."
7. Lack of Communication – Keeping people in the dark.
   "I assumed you knew." | "It’s on a need-to-know basis."
8. Disrespect – Dismissing or belittling others.
   "That’s a stupid idea." | "Just do what I say."
9. Hidden Agendas – Lack of transparency breeds suspicion.
   "I have my reasons, don’t worry about it." | "Let’s keep this between us for now."
10. Triangulation – Involving a third party instead of addressing issues directly.
    "They said you were the problem." | "I don’t want to say this to them directly..." | "I’ll talk to them for you."

✅ How to Assess Trust

• Check for Open Communication: Do members feel comfortable voicing concerns?
• Gather Feedback: Conduct anonymous surveys to identify trust barriers.
• Observe Interactions: Are members supportive or guarded?

✅ How to Build Trust:

• Communicate openly and honestly.
• Follow through on commitments.
• Treat people fairly and with respect.
• Empower others instead of controlling them.

·       Foster inclusivity and fairness in decision-making.