Unpacking Creative Confidence: Insights from David Kelley
David Kelley’s talk How to build your creative confidence delves into the psychological blocks we face regarding our creativity, especially as we transition from childhood to adulthood. He recounts a poignant story from his childhood that illustrates how easily one can be discouraged. A third-grader’s innocent clay project demolished by peer judgment made a lasting impact not only on Brian but resonated widely with others who experienced similar shaming from teachers or friends.
Kelley reflects that these painful moments often lead individuals to opt-out of thinking of themselves as creative. This phenomenon isn’t isolated; it manifests in many executive settings where high-level professionals avoid participation in creative processes, clinging to the notion that they aren’t “the creative type.” Kelley argues this belief is fundamentally flawed and deeply rooted in a fear of judgment.
The breakthrough moment in his exploration came through his interaction with psychologist Albert Bandura. Kelley highlights Bandura’s research into phobias, particularly illustrating this with the example of a fear of snakes. Bandura’s innovative method, termed “guided mastery,” employs gradual exposure measures that enable individuals to face their fears step-by-step, resulting in remarkable transformations — individuals not only manage their phobias but also report a marked increase in overall confidence and resilience.
Guided mastery doesn’t just apply to phobias; Kelley makes a connection to creativity. By exposing individuals to small, manageable creative exercises, they transition from a mindset of fear to one of familiarity and competence. This transformation reflects Bandura’s concept of “self-efficacy,” which is simply the belief in one’s ability to succeed. Kelley has seen this in his work at the d.school, where professionals who identified primarily as analytical learn through design processes to see themselves as capable of creativity.
Kelley shares the story of Doug Dietz, a medical equipment designer whose interaction with pediatric patients highlighted the fear caused by MRI machines. A staggering statistic reveals that 80% of children required sedation before using his MRI machine due to fear. However, after learning about design thinking and empathy, Dietz reimagined the patient experience — turning it into a whimsical adventure, subsequently decreasing the sedation rate to 10%.
The quantitative success of Dietz’s redesign illustrates starkly improved operational efficiency but also emphasizes a qualitative impact. Children emerged from scans eager to return, redefining their perceptions of potentially scary medical procedures. This emotional shift resonates deeply with Kelley, who shared personal experiences with medical anxiety. His narrative illustrates how meaningful design begins with empathy and the empowerment of those traditionally sidelined from creative roles.
Kelley’s overarching narrative underscores a critical message: creativity isn’t an exclusive trait reserved for the ’naturally creative.’ Instead, it can be cultivated, validated, and encouraged through methods like guided mastery. As professionals or educators, it’s crucial to avoid limiting labels that segregate people into creatives and non-creatives. The goal should be to foster environments that reinforce creative potential in everyone, from children in a classroom to adults in boardrooms.
This call to action invites thought leaders to reclaim and democratize creativity in every field, moving towards a collective understanding of innate creative potential. As Kelley states, when individuals embrace their creative capabilities, they end up working on impactful projects, navigating life changes, and making better decisions that align with their values and vision.
Understanding the psychological basis behind our doubts is imperative in the journey toward creative confidence. Rather than viewing creative capacity as a fixed entity, it should be embraced as a shared human trait, ready for exploration through supportive processes that encourage small wins, resilience, and ultimately, transformation.