#33 What's Creativity for a Global Creative Director? Let's find out!

Hey Right Brained Human 👋🏼 !

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Today - we're diving into a chat with
Lisa Hastings: Global Creative Director at SGK, Podcast Host, and Brand Strategist based in Sydney, Australia.

Originally from England, Lisa is now a dual Australian citizen, and her work has spanned continents, collaborating with exceptional clients and creatives across the globe.

As the host of The Shelf Impactors Podcast, Lisa dives into captivating conversations about the Creative Industry, driven by her strong belief in the transformative power of brands.

I enjoyed connecting with Lisa during our Google Rare Academy Fellowship in 2020, where we discovered our shared passion for transforming the creative landscape. And today, I want to share her take on creative success, leadership, and staying true to yourself!

👉🏼 8 Questions | 🕛 Read Time: 6 minutes

Apeksha: Lisa, How do you balance supporting your team's creative growth and nurturing their passion while meeting client expectations and business objectives in an industry that requires constant problem-solving and innovation?

Lisa: I’m sure most creatives strive for a work-life balance – in all honesty, I don’t. Creativity ripples through most areas of my life – ideas come at the most unexpected moments, and why fight it!

That said, team-wise – I’m always looking to match the right creative to the proper challenge, and it took time to get to know my team and to build a team of varying skill sets; if you get it right, that’s where the magic happens – if you focus on doing the best job, it usually leads to business wins. We are a massive global agency, and yes, there are a lot of business parts I need to juggle and integrate, but that’s a challenge for me – so everyone is learning and growing, me too!

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Apeksha: What is your perspective on the importance of culture, inclusivity, and diversity in a creative workplace?

Lisa: The best work starts with a collaborative culture. I’ve worked hard to build a team of diverse personalities, backgrounds, and skill sets, we are all constantly learning from each other, culture is always evolving.

—

Apeksha: What are the top three qualities or criteria you consider essential for creative leadership?

Lisa: We all have different leadership styles; mine is within my core values:

1. Be brave (take risks)

2. Lead with authenticity and transparency (we all learn from each other – I may be the CD(Creative Director), but I f*** up sometimes.)

3. I’m hands-on and aim to empower others – we’ve all had that ‘CD who watches over us, and that is not me!

—

Apeksha: What is creative success for you?

Lisa: This is a great question; success is defined differently by everyone – winning awards, getting your first job, running your agency, could be anything.

For me, it’s about looking back and realizing the journey and adventures I’ve had (so far) Did I win awards? Yep, did I work hard to get where I am now? Yep, and I’m not done – True fulfillment comes from witnessing the thriving growth of those around me through my leadership. By defying preconceived notions and surpassing societal expectations, my journey from a one-parent family and overcoming various struggles has instilled in me - remarkable resilience and unwavering determination - which is a big part of what success is for me.

My next goal is to share my vision for bravery and building resilience with a wider audience, particularly within the creative community. Despite my fear of public speaking, I am determined to step on stage and share my story.

—

Apeksha: Lisa, have you noticed times when your impostor kicks in? How do you deal with it?

Lisa: Whew, even to this day, it's something I still grapple with. People who hear my podcast or see me in the studio have no idea of the shy, small designer I used to be, and sometimes still feel inside. I find solace in reading or listening to Mel Robbins and her book "The High Five Habits." Additionally, spending time in nature has a profound cleansing effect on me, allowing me to tune out the noise and reconnect with myself.

"Creativity, for me, is going for the unknown,
not having all the answers, but having the unwavering confidence
that I will find them.
It's about embarking on a journey of discovery,
exploring new territories, nurturing curiosity,
and fearlessly asking questions."

Apeksha: What is creativity for you? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the flow or enhance your productivity?

Lisa: Creativity, for me, is going for the unknown, not having all the answers, but having the unwavering confidence that I will find them. It's about embarking on a journey of discovery, exploring new territories, nurturing curiosity, and fearlessly asking questions.

Translating those insights into a unique expression of my own is what sets my creative process apart.

When I need to recharge and find inspiration, I travel and immerse myself in different cultures and environments. It allows me to create space for new ideas to flourish. And when I encounter moments of stagnation, I have my own toolkit to break free.

Whether it's taking a walk or going for a run, these activities refresh my mind, reignite my enthusiasm, and propel me forward.

—

Apeksha: Rapid Fire! Pick the one that resonates more:

Digital Notes / Handwritten Notes:
Lisa: The act of writing it down helps springboard – maybe I’m just old!

Structured Planning / Spontaneous Creation:
Ooooh I’m a strategist, but I love the spontaneity!

Books / Articles:
Articles!

Ai / Human Mind:
AI is powered at its core by a human mind

Community / Professional Network:
Professional Community

Side Hustle / Passion Project:
Side Hustle!

Minimalism / Maximalism:
I’m a minimalist in all areas of my life, lol

—

Apeksha: Lastly, any anecdotes or cool resources you may want to share with all of us?

Lisa: I have so many resources – I’m a big fan of Chris Do (see his YouTube videos) for learning design and strategy.

Read articles and books but also do, put what you learn into practice. Take the opportunities, and take risks, if it doesn’t work out, you will figure it out. Help other people, build your tribe (karma is real – don’t burn bridges, but also it’s okay to say no!)

🔗Connect with Lisa

Instagram
Her website
Lisa's Podcast: Shelf Impactors

I hope you enjoyed reading Lisa's insights! 🎈

Note: In order to limit the information overload and to ensure that I share only the most valuable ideas and insights with you, I will be adjusting my newsletter frequency to twice a month instead of weekly.

In case you missed my last email about the 35 Creative Blocks Cheatsheet, here's a direct download link. :)

Stay creative,
Apeksha
Right Brained Human

Being Right Brained

#33 What's Creativity for a Global Creative Director? Let's find out!

Today - we're diving into a chat with
Lisa Hastings: Global Creative Director at SGK, Podcast Host, and Brand Strategist based in Sydney, Australia.

🔗Connect with Lisa

#48 Network, the right way

#47 Ever thought of taking a career break?

#46 I was so close to art, yet so far!

Being Right Brained

#33 What's Creativity for a Global Creative Director? Let's find out!

Today - we're diving into a chat with Lisa Hastings: Global Creative Director at SGK, Podcast Host, and Brand Strategist based in Sydney, Australia.

🔗Connect with Lisa

Being Right Brained

#48 Network, the right way

#47 Ever thought of taking a career break?

#46 I was so close to art, yet so far!

Today - we're diving into a chat with
Lisa Hastings: Global Creative Director at SGK, Podcast Host, and Brand Strategist based in Sydney, Australia.