Leadership, creativity, and emotions

Abstract

Effective leadership of creative people and efforts is more essential than ever, given the dynamic nature of many organizations today. Technology advances, automation, virtual work, and other workplace changes require creativity and innovation from both leaders and employees. Leaders play a critical role in fostering creativity and innovation. While a variety of attributes and capabilities have been linked to leading for creativity and innovation, less is known about the role of emotions and emotion capabilities in how leadership connects to creativity and innovation. Leader emotional displays, knowledge of emotions, and ability to recognize and regulate emotion in themselves and others have the potential to substantially influence creative work activities. This chapter explores the intersection of leadership, emotions, creativity, and innovation. Drawing on key theories and research, several questions will be examined. What is the nature of creative work and what is required from leaders to support creativity? Why are emotions important in creativity? What roles do leader emotions, traits, and displays play in fostering or hindering creativity? How does emotion regulation facilitate leader and employee creativity? What emotion preferences, skills and capabilities have been associated with different leadership styles? Challenges and theoretical implications are discussed.