Creative Presence

Creative Presence is a way of being when working with others that is tuned in, imaginative, and responsive in the moment, inviting new perspectives, discovering hidden meaning, and creating space for possibilities to emerge.

I have spent my lifetime studying, exploring, and developing creativity as a skill across a range of contexts, and am highly aware of its importance when engaging in coaching conversations, particularly in moments of liminality. These moments of uncertainty can be challenging, and in our rush to respond, it may be tempting to retreat to the familiar, offer unnecessary advice, or even freeze altogether. When entering liminality with creative presence, this way of being allows us to develop a partnership, trusting that together, we will find our way through and respond to what emerges in conversation in an act of shared creativity.

The World Economic Forum has identified creativity as one of the top skills needed for workforce development in the Future of Jobs Report. From an intervention-based perspective, creativity can be put into action in work with participants through tools such as metaphor, card sorts, drawing, and physical movement. All of these creative approaches are very useful tools for coaches to put into practice, but the impact and strength of the work with participants throughout coaching sessions can have significantly more impact when we are not only implementing tools or interventions, but are doing so with an awareness of how we are present within the session.

This turns our attention to the development of creative presence, which helps cultivate creativity skills beyond the act of doing by emphasizing creativity as a way of being when working with others. When tools (or interventions) are used by someone who is activating their creative presence, the impact significantly increases. When no tools are in use, creative presence remains an essential element of the conversation, creating a space for emergent learning and transformation. Creative presence is tuned in, imaginative, and responsive, in the moment. It creates space for new perspectives and the discovery of meaning, allowing new possibilities to emerge.

The Creative Presence model

Creative presence can be understood and developed through five practices: Explore, Focus, Gather, Wander, and Experiment. At the core of these practices is the element of Wonder, with special attention also being paid to the Environment. Understanding and growing creative presence is a lifelong practice that requires patience, dedication, and an openness to learn new things. When we actively practice creativity, research has shown that positive emotions are generated, and negative emotions are faced more easily as they arise. This model can be interpreted and applied in a number of different contexts. This model can inform and support helping roles such as coaches, counsellors, and mentors in their work supporting others, while simultaneously providing an understanding and practice for personal creative development, which in turn can influence and strengthen one's ability to be creatively present.

The Creative Presence model is depicted as a dandelion. With Wonder at the center, it is the starting point and constant throughout. The practices surround and connect to the center (Wonder) and can be practiced on their own, while also working in relationship to one another. Surrounding the dandelion is the environment. The environment (like the wind) flows in two directions. One’s environment can directly impact one's ability to be creatively present, and we can also influence the creative presence of those around us. The dandelion flower (on the Pacific coast of Canada) is known as a weed, and something we work to remove. However, when a dandelion is discovered in full bloom (often by a child), it is joyfully picked and blown, providing a sense of wonder even as we watch the seeds float away. The dandelion was created so that it can spread its seeds using the environment (the wind). Creative presence is a relationship-based way of being that is activated when shared, planting seeds of creativity as they land, continuing to grow.

Here is an overview of the practices and elements that, when put into practice, will strengthen one’s ability to be creatively present.

Wonder

A state of attentiveness and awe when something becomes a source of inspiration, moving us beyond certainty into a posture of openness that slows judgment and creates space for deeper meaning and possibility to emerge.

I enjoy going for walks near my house. I’m drawn to the beauty of the changing seasons and the stillness of the nearby water. Some days, I discover a sense of wonder unexpectedly, and on others, I choose to pay attention and actively seek it out. When I do, wonder becomes a source of inspiration, moving me beyond certainty into a posture of openness that slows judgment and creates space for something new to emerge. Wonder can be found in the expansiveness of the sky, or in a tiny flower, peeking through the dirt. Size does not dictate wonder, and it seems easier to find the days I walk with intention, looking for it.

Research has shown the benefits of experiencing wonder in the creative process. These awe-inspiring experiences have been shown to help us reduce our assumptions and see things in new ways, as we see ourselves as smaller in relation to the grandeur of the world we live in. When this happens, we become better at noticing others and what they are experiencing in greater detail, rather than relying on assumptions. Experiencing awe/wonder also increases our sense of generosity (Kiff et al., 2015) and positively impacts our mental health (Anderson et al., 2018).

As we cross the threshold into liminal space, we need to embrace uncertainty and open ourselves up to our creative selves and a range of new possibilities. The starting point is a sense of wonder and awe as we contemplate moving forward.

Explore

A genuine interest and pursuit of new knowledge, experiences, and possibilities in order to develop deeper insights, imaginative thinking, and generative dialogue.

As we engage with the world around us, different objects, connections, experiences, or ideas naturally spark our curiosity, as does the noticing of something that is absent or not being said. Our curiosity, which can lead us to explore further, can strike at the most unexpected moments, leading us down rabbit holes in pursuit of discovery and learning. This often sparks a different type of wonder than what we have read about earlier. Exploring often sparks questions beginning with “I wonder…” or “what if…”. In the moments we identify the question and choose to lean into the learning, we are beginning to explore with curiosity.

Exploring with curiosity allows us to notice what is drawing our attention, the things that we are naturally interested in or wondering about, and the questions present in the moment. Being able to slow down and pay attention to what makes us curious, then leads to a decision (or invitation when working in a coaching context) about whether (or not) to explore further what has sparked our curiosity.

Focus

A sustained awareness that provides clarity in relation to a specific topic, with an identified direction while remaining open to what might emerge.

As we explore, it can be easy to end up with more questions or information gathered than we know what to do with. Surveying what has been gathered and narrowing in on the topic that actually needs your attention gives your curiosity focus, creating space for deeper exploration in a more specific way. Focus allows topics to be explored in depth (while also remaining open to what might emerge). Similar to most practices, focus is rarely a one-time event. It often happens several times, as understanding deepens and new insights surface. As information is collected and new insights emerge, a refining process tends to occur naturally. Focusing is not about finding solutions. Instead, narrowing in and drawing together ideas, it is often at its best when done in a collaborative partnership.

Engaging in a practice of focusing on the possibilities presented requires time to slow down and take a different view of the coaching session, with a different focus. At the same time, it develops a repeatable way within the coaching engagement to work with curiosity and questions as they emerge, supporting ongoing learning beyond the coaching session.

Gather

The practice of discovering and collecting information about ideas and themes that have drawn your attention. This is done with an openness to deepen learning, meaning-making, and the possibilities that can emerge through combinatory thinking.

As curiosity is sparked, explored, and key themes are focused on, new ideas often emerge as questions are pursued. Spending time looking outwards, learning, and gathering ideas about the topic being explored will help develop range and understand different perspectives in the context of what is being explored. Gathering information from a range of sources provides those who are curious with access to diversity in thought, through which new knowledge can be acquired. This is a time to pay attention to details while also thinking broadly, seeking out sources, and discovering new ways to learn about a subject. Engaging broadly with ideas may also require expanding the ways information and learning are gathered. Thinking beyond traditional learning modalities, gathering may include reading, listening, asking questions (to seek diverse perspectives), and participating in hands-on activities, among others.

Gathering information is not a time to seek definitive answers to questions, but rather creates an invitation to be curious, open to learning, and discovering how others have thought about the topic at hand. With a willingness to discover and learn new things, you will be able to participate in your own unique learning experiences related to the curiosity that has been sparked within you.

Wander

The intentional practice of pausing by slowing or stepping back from goal-oriented thinking in order to allow your attention to drift, and notice new possibilities without constraint, immediate judgment of ideas or direction.

When you want to solve a problem, navigate uncertainty, or simply get unstuck, allowing your mind to wander rather than working harder can feel counterintuitive, yet it is often what is needed to uncover new ways of thinking. The practice of wandering is an invitation to slow down and intentionally redirect your focus, free of constraints, to participate more fully in the creative process rather than focusing only on the end product or outcome hoped for. Research has shown a significant positive correlation between creative thinking and intentional mind-wandering, which supports the development of creative ideas (Feng, Q. et al., 2024).

Taking time to step back and let your mind wander can be practiced at any time during the creative process. This is not a time to step away and keep thinking about the challenge you feel stuck in. Finding a way to allow your mind to roam freely, free of constraints, perhaps even with a complete change of focus, will create space for new insights to emerge.

Experiment

An intentional and often courageous act of experimenting with new approaches, questions, or ideas. This creates space for discovering insights by expanding possibilities without fear of failure.

As new ideas are discovered and insights are developed, it can be helpful to pause, take in the information, and begin experimenting. It can be tempting to move quickly through this practice, choosing the first option as the right one. However, staying with the uncertainty and allowing yourself to try variations will help bring greater focus to your learning as new possibilities begin to emerge. When spending time exploring, you may be extending ideas, combining two existing ideas to create something new. Einstein calls this combinatory play. This is a time to brainstorm, use metaphors, make discoveries, and become inspired as you test your ideas.

Approaching Experimentation as a time to play stimulates creativity (Mainemelis & Ronson, 2006), changing the negative connotation one might associate with failure into a view of it as a learning opportunity. A playful approach to experimentation facilitates a space free of consequences for testing theories and rehearsing ideas. There may come a time during this process when decisions need to be made. Focusing may need to be revisited at this time. However, being mindful of the spirit of experimentation may help the process of focusing feel less stressful, especially when rooted in wonder.

Environment

A systemic perspective that can have a negative or positive impact on one’s ability to practice creative presence and creativity, while also reflecting each person’s ability to impact the creative presence of those around them, and the innate relationality of one’s creative presence.

The environment interacts with each area of creative practice in unique ways and encompasses human, systemic, and visual (e.g., a sunset or an inanimate object) perspectives, ideas, and experiences found in the world around us. The ways the environment can strengthen our creative presence are not limited to those experiencing positivity. In many cases, great acts of creativity emerged from difficult circumstances and experiences. Our environments are constantly changing. Seeking to understand how the environment can support your creative presence is important to be aware of, and to consider how you might increase your environmental awareness and engage in continuous learning to deepen your understanding, make decisions, and strive to create the conditions needed for creative growth.

Being aware of your environment, noticing what is stifling or creating stagnancy in your ability to be creatively present is useful, as well as noticing the conditions that support your ability to be creatively present. This awareness can help you make changes to environmental conditions to enhance creativity. (Csikszentmihalyi, 1997), or develop a deeper understanding of the environment you are in, and the ways it impacts your creative presence. As an inherently relational act, creative presence can be developed and refined independently, but it is a way of being in response to the environment. As a coach, creative presence is often shared as a collaboration with a participant or group. When working in relationship with others, developing your awareness of your own environment and its impact on your ability to be present creatively with others is essential.

Conclusion

As creative practices are revisited and strengthened, learning deepens, and actions connected to practice become increasingly personalized as you get to know your creative self. Developing new habits and ways of engaging in creative practice throughout your life will help you build your confidence and increase your sense of hope. You will discover new ways to strengthen your creativity and share your creative presence with those you support, combining your creativity with theirs to create something new together.

Andrea Fruhling is the Director of Doubleknot Works and co-author of Career Wayfinder: Discovering Your Career Through Delightfully Practical Projects. She is a Professional Certified Organizational Coach (International Coaching Federation), and an Instructor for the University of British Columbia’s internationally award-winning Organizational Coaching certification program. Andrea developed and leads the Career Coaching Practitioner course (UBC Extended Learning) and is a certified expert trainer in the Hope-Action Theory.

References

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