That is a mouthful, I know. As a right-brained leader in a left-brained business world I am often asked how I have time to think and/or activate creative ideas. The easy answer is that it's hard. So let me share some ideas for you if you happen to be right-brained or would like to be a more creative leader.

Let me start with a philosophic view of creativity in leadership...

First, I value strategic thinking and make time for it.

Second, I don't buy in to the mainstream's media choices for what is good or follow "group speak" well.

Third, I realize that my creative ideas are not always for right now or for my current business. Some are for now and some for later.

That said, here is the system I have created for me. Please know that some of you may use technology more and some may prefer writing in notebooks or on paper, etc. It is your own preference. I tend to use a mixture, which I will share. Remember, this is my plan and system. Use it or adapt it for your best.

7 Steps for Creating a Creative System to Be Creative:

1. Gather - I collect magazines, articles, books and miscellaneous items at coffee shops, concerts, etc. These items are used as inspiration for ideas and for getting a handle on the pulse of society or markets or customers.
2. Tour - At least once a month I visit some location, site or relevant store to gather ideas and to people watch and to learn. I have learned so much from the World of Coke, the National History Museum, Starbucks, visits to Barnes and Noble, the Apple Store and Williams Sonoma.
3. File & Log - I have two file folders in my brief case at all times - "Read" and "Blog." I also have a two journals - "Inspirational" and "Strategic." In these journals I write ideas for now, next year and maybe in five years.
4. Ideate - Every month or so I take the ideas, books, pieces of paper and I consolidate the ideas into my journals. Sometimes I use scraps of paper or 3×5 cards and sometimes I use white boards. I usually change it up to stay creative.
5. Activate - The system is not complete until something is activated. In some cases I simply write a one-page business plan and file it for another time. In other cases I share the ideas with some of our team, Chris Ediger, Dave Rae or Louis Upkins.
6. Filter - I then take the idea through a filter that David Woods and GiANT Partners helped us build. It is engrained into our culture now because of the years we have used it. The filter makes sure that the idea fits the overall strategic vision for the company.
7. Take Action - When an idea makes it through this process it is time to execute. That is where I normally begin to back out. However, before that occurs I make sure I have communicated and the team knows my intent and what I think is success. I think I can get better at this process, but it is thrilling to see an idea come to life.

An Example:

Years ago I was curious as to what most leaders did when they first got to their office or at their desk. I began to gather articles and information on this. I then sent out a simple survey to a number of leaders. I then went to Barnes and Noble and consumed books on the subject. The results were very simple at that point - most leaders started with email, followed by a close second with internet news sites. Very few leaders started their days reading books at their office or desks. If they did, it was at home before they left.

That said, I began to ideate and throw out ideas to others. They responded well. The idea was this - What if leaders took 3-5 minutes to start their day with a simple, but relevant leadership lesson? Would that make them a better leader? As I took it through our filters, our team agreed that it would be a great idea. We then started building it. Two of our leaders began working on the project and we called it the Everyday Leader.

While I was pleased with the content, the concept never really took off inside our company. In hindsight I realized that we had an internal log jam for new ideas that were our own GiANT projects. It took almost a year and a half to create a culture that could produce our own projects and products instead of selling other peoples content.

So, Chris Ediger and Jill Walker dusted the idea off and repackaged the content and changed the name. They did an amazing job. Thus, the Intentional Leader book was born. It is relevant, fresh and consistent with our brand. More than that, our team is ready to execute in ways we have never experienced. In just a few short weeks we have sold 1400 books and that is just beginning. If you would like to see the fruits of this idea, go to www.IntentionalLeaderBook.com.

Creating a Creative System takes discipline and patience. I am both patient and intense. I really want ideas to come to life. However, I really believe that ideas are ready when they are fully baked. Today, I am so excited to see the fruits of our labor and the ideas beginning to flow.

The fun part is that I feel like we are just beginning. We are starting to create some amazing projects and content that fits our mission of transforming the leadership culture of America. I believe that these ideas will help reform pride-based leadership and awaken leaders around the world. However, it all starts with the idea and a system.

Start your own and let me know how I can help you.

Jeremie Kubicek is the President & CEO of GiANT Impact, co-founder of GiANT Partners, and author of "Leadership is Dead: How Influence is Reviving It." Follow Jeremie on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and/or Subscribe to this Blogs RSS Feeds.

Time will tell the full story of how Catalyst 2011 impacted my wife, Dara, and I in a deep, meaningful and lasting way. But there is one consistent theme that continues to resonate in our spirits three months after leaving Atlanta: toss the painkillers.

Here's a quick story to connect the dots:

I recently jammed my finger playing basketball. Three plays into our pickup game, I went to block a pass and the ball hit my middle finger at full speed. It instantly went numb. After I got home and the adrenaline wore off, I realized I had a problem. Pain was shooting up and down my finger. I reached for the Advil and went to bed.

Over the next couple of weeks, the pain would intermittently return and I would take a few more Advil to lessen the pain and help me to function throughout my day more comfortably. After a month of persistent pain, I finally decided to go to the doctor. The verdict was that I had torn the tendon in my finger. No amount of Advil was going to fix that problem. I had to treat the source of the problem, not the symptoms.

Rewind back to Catalyst 2011. Dara and I found out a week before the conference that a friend gave us two tickets. We headed to Atlanta with a ton of anticipation for what God would do in our lives. We were surprised to find out, however, that it was not the incredible lineup of speakers or the practical resources that ultimately changed our course and shifted our perspective. It was the commercials.

These commercials came in the form of short videos and interviews between speakers. We were introduced to young leaders that heard God's call to care for the poor, defenseless, marginalized and broken. These stories of extraordinary obedience captivated our hearts and challenged our worldview. It was in that moment that we felt God's call, found all throughout Scriptures, to lead our church to care for the poor in our community.

Upon returning to Charlotte, we knew that we had to start somewhere, so we went to the only logical place to begin our journey: Google. I literally typed into the search engine, "How to care for the poor in Charlotte." The search results produced dozens of great organizations in our city. I found out quickly that all I had to do was open my eyes and put forth the effort to find a place to serve in our community. The avenue to serve the poor in our city was right in front of me the entire time. I was simply too detached from the pain to acknowledge my role in being a part of the solution.

I am convinced that cultural painkillers are largely to blame for the apathy that is so pervasive in our culture. Instead of allowing the pain to lead us to change our perspective and motivate us to act, we reach for the painkillers to make our day more comfortable. We busy ourselves with temporary entertainment and fill our lives with meaningless distraction.

As I have reflected on our experience at Catalyst 2011, I have realized that God exposed Dara and I to the stories of young leaders that allowed themselves to feel the pain found in the world around them. And their pain led them to action.

We quickly realized that we could not change everything at once. But we also made the decision that we would not let that stop us. We searched for one organization that we could partner with to make an impact in our community. We came across an incredible organization called Charlotte Family Housing. Their aim is to end family homelessness in Charlotte. I met with their Executive Director, Darren Ash, and told him that we wanted to develop a relationship with one organization to focus our efforts on caring for the poor in our community.

This practical step of going deep instead of wide, focusing our church's volunteer base on one organization, has led to a beautiful relationship. We invited them to our Sunday service to present to our church family how we can be involved. Over 80% of our church signed up to volunteer with their organization. With one simple step of building a relationship with Charlotte Family Housing, we are now a part of the solution instead of just ignoring the pain.

Let's resolve to toss the cultural painkillers. I encourage you to allow the pain to lead you to action. Look around your community for great organizations that are already making a difference. And if you attend Catalyst 2012, make sure to stick around for the commercials. They may just change your course and shift your perspective.

Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

David & Dara Docusen planted Center City Church in Uptown Charlotte, NC in April 2010. Connect further: @daviddocusen / facebook.com/daviddocusen

If YOU have a Catalyst story of IMPACT please fill this out & we will contact you shortly with the follow-up details. THANKS!

From Catalyst:

1. 40 Great Leadership Books to Read. This isn't an exhausted list but it's one that we think will get you headed in the right direction. 
2. The Generation That Is Re-Defining Generosity. Brian Dodd looks at this next generation with a hopeful lens of how they will impact the world for the Kingdom. 
3. Whose Attention Are You After? Brad gets real with our audience about whose attening we seek daily. Man's or God's?

From The Web:

1. Thom Rainer wrote a great post on 7 Reasons Leaders Fail. Of course there are WAY more than 7 but this list he sees as some of the main ones. Must read for leaders. 
2. Over on Outreach Magazine's blog, Phil Cooke, gave 10 Secrets of Building Great Teams. He also took the time to explain what allows them to flourish. 
3. PRIDE. We strive to keep this in check in our daily lives but what about our online lives? Pastor Craig Groeschel confronts the issue of pride on our blogs, Facebook, & Twitter. 
4. Creative Arts Pastor, Stephen Brewster, breaks it down in this great post, 20 Traits of Creative Leaders. 
5. The Gospel Coalition blogged this week about my favorite age group, collegiates & 9 Keys to Reaching Colleg Students. Very helpful for anyone in the field.
6. Fear. It cripples & paralyzes. Pastor Perry Noble lays out 10 Things Fear Causes. 

Who's Watching you? Who are you watching? Whose attention are you after?

Really.

Whose attention do you crave?

Are you chasing the attention and approval of friends, or peers, or those who have arrived already? Are you seeking the attention of "celebrities" in your circle? Would it make your day to be noticed by someone? Your boss? The CEO? The Senior Pastor? Founder? That artist or musician?

Or are you content with the attention of your Heavenly Father?

Leaders must be cautious of chasing after the things of this world. Chasing after the attention of others, jumping in on the latest fad, and seeking the approval of the crowd is not acceptable.

Romans 12: 2 warns us against this: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Our attention and focus should be on things that are Eternal, and we should crave the attention of God, not man.

Don't get caught up in trying to be "noticed by man." Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

By Brad Lomenick, check out more of his thoughts here & follow him here!