Building Creative High Agency in your team
Creativity bestows a responsibility to the gift of creation. Vulnerability and insecurity are byproducts. Confrontation inevitable. Courage the only antidote.
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."—Ernest Hemingway
"Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads.” — Erica Jong
Creativity without courage is dormant, trapped in hesitation. Only when one dares to explore Jong’s “dark places” does creative work reach its fullest potential.
Creativity is about stepping headlong into the unknown—challenging conventional thoughts and beliefs while facing resistance to change and its associated challenges.
In this essay, I explore the two-way, often complex interplay and interdependence between courage and creativity. This relationship mirrors the causal paradox of the chicken-and-egg conundrum—a dilemma frequently used as a metaphor in philosophical (creativity) and scientific (innovation) debates. Viewing this through the lens of art and engineering—both inherently creative and intellectual endeavours—I will consider the role of courage in creative innovation, how organisations can foster environments that encourage risk-taking, and the immense value of creativity within the field.
What’s going on upstairs ?
Physiological research suggests that both courage and creativity involve a significant overlap in the neural mechanisms activated by the human brain. Three areas of the brain make main mention in this research, the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala and the dopaminergic system where there exists a delicate interplay and interdependence to render courage and creativity as we see it.
Creativity is like a game of chess where the prefrontal cortex wages a relentless battle for unchartered, nascent innovation, while the amygdala stands as the apprehensive, anxious, sentinel urging retreat to safety. This internal struggle mirrors the timeless philosophical tension between progress and preservation, creation and survival. The prefrontal cortex, seat of reason and imagination, dares to push boundaries, embracing uncertainty in pursuit of the extraordinary. The amygdala, rooted in evolution’s primal logic, resists, whispering caution, reminding us of past failures and unseen dangers.
Now, if the amygdala is the sentinel of survival then the dopamine neurotransmitter must be Santa with his/her many helpers in tow; motivation, euphoria, focus and reward. This in turn has a significant further effect on both courage and creativity. Dopamine surges during moments of heightened creative insight, encouraging risk-taking behaviours and amplifying further innovation. This establishes a positive feedback loop—courage fosters creativity by reducing fear-driven inhibition, while creative breakthroughs provide psychological rewards that further embolden individuals to take risks.
Whether in education, artistic, business, or technology-driven industries—where individuals are encouraged to challenge norms and embrace uncertainty, the physical and emotional environment is paramount. Providing necessary resources, leadership, and psychological safety is essential to cultivate the courage required to foster groundbreaking innovation. A nurturing atmosphere allows individuals to take creative risks, learn from failures, and ultimately thrive in the pursuit of transformative ideas.
Only when courage—born from the harmonisation of risk and reason—tips the scale does true creative risk flourish, allowing humanity to transcend limitations and bring forth the innovations that redefine existence.
A Bit of History
Leonardo da Vinci embodies the profound link between courage and creativity. Leonardo, often considered quintessentially renaissance, demonstrated an extraordinarily wide palette of skills, knowledge and talent. From art to science, philosophy and literature, and unsurprisingly a masterful engineer.
Da Vinci defied conventional thinking, often rejecting the conventions of his time to pursue unique and groundbreaking ideas. His extensive studies of anatomy, engineering, and natural sciences were not just exercises in artistic mastery, but acts of intellectual courage.
The Flying Machine (also known as the "Ornithopter"), the armoured tank and the parachute, all well beyond his era, demonstrating that his innovation arises from the courage to envision what others considered unachievable. Courage was at the forefront of Da Vinci’s deviation from the status quo, courage that was fostered through a combination of his environment, mentorship, and his own insatiable curiosity. Renaissance Italy, where da Vinci grew up, marked a period of rapid intellectual and artistic development, da Vinci was surrounded by an atmosphere that valued exploration, learning, and the questioning of traditional beliefs.
An extraordinary example of courage, in musical composition, is Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring (1913), the bold deviation from classical music norms shocked audiences. At its’ Théâtre des Champs-Élysées premiere, the ballet’s complex shifting rhythms, off beat accents, harsh dissonances and ambiguous tones sent a seismic jolt through the audience, provoking a riot. Stravinsky himself recalled, “I have never been that angry. The music was so dear to me, and to hear it jeered was unbearable.”
The Rite of Spring, despite the initial outrage, is now recognised as a seminal musical work. The courage Stravinsky willingly displayed to defy expectations and risk rejections,
Stravinsky’s courage lay in his willingness to defy expectations, risk rejection, and push the boundaries of musical expression, indelibly redefined the course of modern music.
Supportive environments, much like that of Italy in the Renaissance period, allowed individuals of that era to embrace uncertainty, transcend fear and unlock their creative potential. It is environments congruous to these, that are needed in our modern era to foster these very same values.
As the philosopher Aristotle once said, “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.” In workplaces, schools, and creative industries, providing support and encouragement fosters the kind of courage that leads to groundbreaking innovation. When individuals are empowered to be bold, they can create the extraordinary.
What’s the theory say ?
Abraham Maslow, in his Hierarchy of Needs, postulates that creativity flourishes when individuals reach self-actualisation—a state where engineers, artists, and inventors posses the freedom to think beyond the limits of perceived risk, and challenge the status quo. A state where they can freely express their full potential, unhindered by external constraints or unmet fundamental needs.
Creativity, at its core, is an act of rebellion against the familiar, and courage is what propels us to take those risks. Famous figures like Frank Gehry in addition to Leonardo da Vinci displayed this courage, pushing the boundaries of their respective fields despite resistance.
Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset Theory emphasises the power of viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles to success.
"The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life." - Carol Dweck
This growth mindset emphasises learning from failure, persistence and a willingness to embrace new challenges which in itself is deeply connected to courage. Dweck’s theory emphasises stepping outside the box, the comfort zone and embracing failure. In fields like engineering, where innovation almost mandates pushing the boundaries of the known, what is possible or sometimes deemed acceptable, courageous individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to persist in the face of setbacks.
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” - Albert Einstein
Dweck's theory underscores how promoting and fostering courage and a growth mindset can fuel continuous creative advancement in individuals, allowing them to fearlessly tackle complex problems and drive innovation forward. When encouraged to view challenges as stepping stones, creative individuals are empowered to push past conventional limitations, ultimately fostering progress in their respective fields.
Google’s Project Aristotle: Courage, Creativity, and Environmental Influence
Google’s Aristotle project, launched in 2012, set about to determine what common factors predict the success and effectiveness of a project team. The project examined 180+ project teams, over a 2 year period, through interviews, surveys, outcomes, deadlines and people analytics.
The project name was derived from Aristotle’s famous quote “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” reflecting the idea that team dynamics matter more than individual talent.
Through the examination of data gathered, patterns that correlated to heightened team performance were identified. It was determined one of the key factors of importance was psychological safety. Amy Edmondson, a Harvard professor, who coined the term psychological safety, defines it as "a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking." It was determined that innovation was significantly stronger in teams where individuals felt they were safe to express ideas without ridicule.
“We thought that the best teams would be those with the smartest people, but what we found was that the best teams were the ones where people felt comfortable being themselves.” - Aristotle Researcher
The number one, most critical factor the Google’s Project Aristotle highlighted was Psychological Safety. Teams where members felt safe to be vulnerable with each other to take risks, admit mistakes, ask questions, and offer new ideas without fear of embarrassment were more creative and innovative.
Courage as the Catalyst for Creative High Agency in Engineering Teams
Beyond psychological safety, several key environmental factors contributed to fostering courage and creativity in Google’s most successful teams:
Dependability – Team members needed to trust that everyone would contribute and complete tasks effectively. Knowing that others were reliable gave individuals the confidence to take creative risks.
Structure & Clarity – Clearly defined goals and roles allowed for creative freedom within a framework. When engineers and designers knew their objectives, they had the courage to experiment with different approaches.
Meaning & Impact – Teams that believed their work mattered showed higher levels of creative engagement. When individuals saw the value of their contributions, they were more willing to step out of their comfort zones.
Project Aristotle reinforced the idea that courage is essential for creativity. In psychologically safe teams, members were not afraid to challenge prevailing assumptions, which led to breakthrough innovations. “Success is not about the smartest person in the room but about how the room works together,” another researcher observed.
This principle is directly applicable to software engineering, where bold problem-solving and unconventional thinking drive technological progress. When software engineers feel encouraged to voice concerns, propose radical ideas, and iterate rapidly, organisations see higher innovation rates.
In an engineering team, Creative High Agency is a highly desirable and attainable trait that drives innovation, problem-solving, and ownership. However, at the core of high agency is courage—the willingness to take initiative, challenge assumptions, and act despite uncertainty. A courageous engineer doesn’t just execute tasks; they speak up when something is wrong, take calculated risks, and push boundaries to create impactful solutions. They embrace the unknown, knowing that breakthroughs come from venturing beyond the status quo.
To cultivate courage and high agency in engineering teams, leadership should focus on fostering an environment that empowers ownership and autonomy, allowing engineers the freedom to experiment, make decisions, and take responsibility for their work without the constraints of micromanagement. Encouraging bold decision-making is crucial, creating a culture where engineers feel safe to take risks and pursue unconventional solutions without fear of repercussions. Additionally, promoting open collaboration and psychological safety enables engineers to confidently share ideas, challenge assumptions, and engage in constructive debate without judgment. Providing the necessary resources, mentorship, and time allows high-agency individuals to turn their bold ideas into reality. Finally, recognising and rewarding courageous initiatives is vital, celebrating engineers who take proactive steps to improve processes, deliver creative solutions, and drive meaningful change, even in the face of uncertainty.
As Winston Churchill famously said, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” A high-agency engineering team thrives when individuals have the courage to act, innovate, and take responsibility for shaping the future. Leadership’s role is to remove barriers, foster bold thinking, and create an environment where courage fuels creative breakthroughs.
Conclusion
Google’s Project Aristotle demonstrated that courage and creativity are nurtured by environmental factors like psychological safety, trust, and meaningful work. The most innovative teams are not those with the most talent, but those with the most trust. By fostering an environment where failure is seen as a stepping stone rather than a setback, organisations can unlock the full potential of their teams, leading to groundbreaking creativity and long-term success.
Courage is a foundational element of creativity, enabling individuals to challenge norms, embrace uncertainty, and persist in the face of adversity. Physiologically, the brain’s ability to regulate fear and enhance dopamine-driven motivation supports creative risk-taking. Psychologically, frameworks such as Maslow’s self-actualisation and Dweck’s growth mindset illustrate how courage fosters innovation. By cultivating courage through mindfulness, resilience training, and psychological safety, individuals and organisations in software development, photography, wall art, and architecture can unlock their full creative potential.
Thomas Czarnecki
Empirique.io