A Leadership Question: What Kind Of Picture Are You Painting?

Hello and a special welcome to my new friends! Big Mama’s Playbook Ben & Jerry’s, Whole Foods Market, and MANY more! Please share! This week’s thoughts: We are living in times that can feel heavy. Everywhere we turn, there are challenges—whether it’s the uncertainty reshaping our communities, pressure in our workplaces, or the weight of personal struggles. And yet, even in the middle of hard seasons or chapters, there is an invitation for us as leaders to: create something beautiful. How do you create something beautiful in the midst of chaos and uncertainty? Here’s some wisdom from Big Mama.

When we think of creativity, we often picture various artists, musicians, or writers. But creativity is much broader than that. It shows up in how you design a new process that makes life easier for your family, your staff/team or community. Creativity shows up in the way you handle conflict with honesty, authenticity, and care. It shows up when you take an idea that seems impossible and find a way to make it real. Creativity is leadership in action. Creating something beautiful doesn’t erase the difficulty, but it gives us a way to get through it. It allows us to take what feels overwhelming and shape it into something meaningful – whether it’s for you or someone else. Every choice you make, every word you speak, every act of care you offer are opportunities to bring light into a space that may feel dim.

And here’s one thing to remember: beauty doesn’t require perfection. Beauty shows up in some of the small and simple things. And sometimes along the way to creating this beauty, things can get messy! During those moments of listening when someone feels unheard, or a decision that prioritizes transparency - calling something out when it would have been easier to stay silent. Or that new idea that gives people a reason to believe things can improve. These small acts of creativity can ripple outward, reminding people that hope is still alive - and for me, this Boomer, this kid who grew up in the sixties, believes that sometimes that’s all there is.

What kind of picture are you painting as a leader?

Think of leadership as your blank canvas. Some days your brushstrokes may feel messy or rushed. Other days they may be steady and clear. But each mark adds to the picture you’re painting - a picture that can inspire, uplift, and restore hope for others. The truth is, what you create as a leader doesn’t just shape your own story, it becomes part of the story of the people around you. Lead Like Big Mama has become like my leadership canvas. Sometimes the stories that I share with you are like works of art (in my mind) and others feel messy, sometimes even rushed because I can’t decide what I want to write about.

In these times, creating something beautiful means choosing to imagine what’s possible instead of settling for what is. It means holding on to hope, even when the easy choice would be to give in to despair. And it means believing that your creativity - your unique way of solving problems, lifting spirits, and building connections that can help light the way forward. That’s the beauty of leadership: it gives you the chance to create something that outlives the moment.

So today, pause and ask yourself: What can I create that brings beauty, hope, or possibility into this moment? Don’t underestimate the power of one act of courage, one spark of creativity, one choice to keep moving forward. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to remind us that even in hard times, something beautiful is still possible. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to create something beautiful. Start today. Start small. Look at your work, your team, your community, and ask: What can I create right now that will make this space stronger, kinder, or more inspiring? Then take one step in that direction. Then take another…

What’s next?

Use the questions below as prompts for journaling or for a group discussion. Take your time and allow your answers to guide you toward new insights about how you can create something beautiful in your leadership journey. And when you’re done, take a moment to step back - reflect on your responses to shape your own unique leadership gifts. What can you create?

⦁ What is something you do well that brings hope or encouragement to others?

⦁ What makes you stand out as a leader in times of challenge or hardships?

⦁ What frustration do you carry right now, and how could some creativity help transform it into something positive?

⦁ What passion or commitment keeps you moving forward, even when things feel difficult?

⦁ What is a little-known strength that you carry that helps you create beauty and hope for others? (Because some strengths often go unseen, especially if you’re chasing perfection…)

Here’s a downloadable version of the reflection questions with examples to make it easier for you to connect with the concepts. And if it sparks your own ideas, feel free to contact me - let’s explore ways and spaces to use your ideas and take the next step! Please share this post with your networks! Let’s keep lifting each other up in the midst of the chaos… Thanks for reading my friends. And don’t forget to check out Big Mama’s Playbook!

Weekly wisdom, in their own words:

“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community... Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own....”

— Cesar Chavez (March 31, 1927 - April 23, 1993)