Professor Bartuch: I apologize for late submission. I was in the hospital for a week with my UC.
Discussion Questions
Module 2
“Reclaim Your Creative Confidence” (Kelly, T. & Kelly, D.)
1. Have you experienced any of the fears discussed by in the article (e.g. fear of being
judged, of taking the first step, etc.)? How have you/your colleagues reduced some of
these fears to encourage people to exercise greater creativity?
I recently started a new job in the hedge fund group. Before this role I worked 10 years
in accounting and was able to make a pivot to finance side. Most of the people at my
company graduated on top of the class from some of the most prestigious universities in
the world, so I often have an imposter syndrome. I have a fear of being judged and fear
of the first step.
We have daily stand-up meetings, and my superiors often talk in the language I cannot
understand, yet along act on. So, not only I enrolled in my MBA classes, I also trying to
simultaneously study for a new career. Sometimes stress can be hard to handle, and in
the moments like this my mentor usually helps to overcome it. I also know that I
wouldn’t be where I’m, if I did not ask questions, learn from these answers, and came
out with the creative solutions to some of the problems we have to deal at work. Taking
a deep breath, talking it through with my team and superiors helping me to overcome
these fears.
2. Have you tried any of the strategies suggested on p. 3 in the box at the top? Discuss
what happened as a result.
I think tackling one problem at the time is the best strategy for me. Executing vision,
writing down the plan and not try to skip steps or do them at the same time always works
for me. Sometimes I have to remind myself about it, as I tend to multitask a lot.
“Bringing your Breakthrough Ideas to Life” (Harvard Business Review)
1. How do you view your own creativity? Are there any areas of opportunity for you?
I do not see myself as very creative person. I have more analytical and problem-solving
skills. I think sometimes you do need creativity in order to come out with the problem
solutions, but I always tend to choose more “proven”, calculated solutions versus risky
and creative. I think it is an area in need of improvement for me, I’d like to be more
creative in problem solving and be able to take more risk. I feel like if I teach myself to
take “untraditional” ways of brining ideas to life it could be more beneficial and
meaningful in the long run.
2. Have you ever tried to put forth a big idea? How did it go? What would you do different
based on this article?
I did put some of the impactful ideas at my previous role. I helped my company to
integrate new software and design some of the accounting processing practices which
helped to increase our bottom line. However, now looking back at my experience, I
would probably increase my team participation in the project.