DO YOU TAKE A PINK ELEPHANT WITH YOU TO WORK?

"Now that the company's 5th anniversary is approaching, I want something truly remarkable..." tells the excited CEO whilst flapping his hands in the air as if painting some fantasy pictures. "The main street has to be decorated with warm, golden-coloured balloons; rollerskating waitresses serving Moet out of gold-sprinkled glasses; atmosphere is created by a golden-suited Elton John singing in the background; and there's an Indian elephant standing in front of the office. Also, spray the animal with golden colour in order to ensure everything is in the very theme of our golden five! Let's do it, guys, right?" Yeah, right - if only he wasn't looking to decorate the main street of Old Town with golden balloons; rollerskating whilst holding champagne glasses on cobbled street sounds just plain suicidal; Elton John DOES NOT do background singing (not even in a golden suit and for several millions); and to my knowledge Tallinn Zoo has no Indian elephant - not to mention having it borrowed and spraying it with gold. In other words: although creativity is one of Leader's essential competences, then when can it become a hindrance for themselves, a team, and the organisation as a whole?

Full article on the dark side of being too much of a creative Leader is published in Estonian under the title of "Kas Sul käib roosa elevant tööl kaasas?" in a leadership magazine Director (October 2018).