THE CREATIVE REVOLUTION WILL BE DISTRIBUTED

The past few years have transformed the way we work, with the distributed model becoming the new norm. My team of nearly 20 creative, social, and production specialists is scattered across the country and around the world from Cape Town, South Africa to Fort Collins, Colorado.

There’s a lot to love about this new way of working. Goodbye commute! But it does pose real challenges, especially in nurturing creativity. And now, a word about word choice. As a Creative Director who started as a Copywriter, I believe that words matter. I prefer the term “distributed” over “remote” to describe my team. Here’s why: the former conveys a shared experience while the latter just sounds distant. What’s more, I believe that great creative is human, personal, and emotional.

So, how do you encourage out-of-the-box thinking when your team shows up in little boxes on a screen? Here are a few ways that work for me and my team. I share them with the hope that something resonates with you and your team:

CREATE A CULTURE OF OPENNESS
I strive to create an environment where ideas flow freely and every voice is valued. Encouraging open discussions and welcoming diverse perspectives helps foster a culture of constructive feedback. A distributed team naturally offers a diversity of life experiences and cultural backgrounds to draw upon. Being curious also helps. Simply asking a junior team member what she thinks is a simple yet powerful way to elevate and embrace new thinking.

By promoting inclusivity and ensuring team members feel safe expressing their thoughts without fear of judgment, my team has built a foundation of trust that unlocks our collective creativity. I’ve found the improv mantra of “Yes, and” is a powerful way to put this into practice. When you treat every idea as a gift to be built upon you start from a place of positivity and a shared belief that different ideas create good creative friction. Regular feedback and promoting risk-taking are also key practices I use to ensure psychological safety and innovative thinking.

CELEBRATE & EVALUATE
Recognizing creative achievements, big or small, keeps motivation high. In a distributed workplace, it can be easy for creative ideas to feel more transactional than inspirational. That's why I make it a point to celebrate successes in our regular meetings and acknowledge individual contributions. Monday morning kickoffs are a great way to showcase the work and the team who made it happen. And starting the week on a positive note is a healthy habit for improving morale.

Embracing failures as learning opportunities is equally important. I like holding project retrospectives to evaluate what went well and what could be improved, encouraging experimentation and risk-taking without fear of repercussions. In these meetings, it’s important to listen to your team and follow up on their suggestions. Displaying professional vulnerability by owning your mistakes also builds credibility. If you expect people to embrace failure, it helps to model it for them.

LEAD BY EXAMPLE
To inspire creativity, I actively participate in brainstorming sessions, encourage experimentation, and embrace new ideas. Leading by example shows my team that creativity and innovation are valued. I also believe that leadership transcends titles; it's a mindset that everyone on the team can share. Whether you’re a junior team member or a senior creative, showing up authentically and inspiring the team with your actions sets a powerful example for others to follow. This is a tangible example of the true meaning of a distributed workforce. When authority & responsibility are shared by everyone on your team the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

In a distributed environment, I’ve found that creativity thrives with openness, constructive evaluation, celebration, and active leadership. Nurturing ideas is an ongoing effort; even small gestures can make a big difference. Showcasing creative work in Monday morning staff meetings is a great practice that gives credit where it’s deserved and provides the team with an opportunity to hone their presentation skills. I'm always looking for new ways to unlock my team's potential. I welcome your insights and strategies for making the distributed era the next creative revolution.

Author:
David Muldoon
Executive Creative Director
Method1

BIO:
David is an award-winning creative director with a passion for innovation and storytelling. With over 25 years of experience in the creative industry, he has cultivated a diverse skill set that spans across branding, advertising, identity, digital, and social media. David's distinguished career is punctuated by his remarkable talent for transforming complex business challenges into compelling visual narratives, consistently surpassing client expectations and delivering results.

David oversees creative, social media, and production at Method1. He has a wide range of category expertise with a core focus on CPG brands like Pepsi, Chandon Sparkling Wine, Post Foods, Elijah Craig Bourbon, Kraft, Foster’s Lager, and Deep Eddy Vodka. Collaborating closely with his team and a spectrum of cross-functional experts, David spearheads the development of dynamic marketing ecosystems, propelling brand growth across paid, owned, and earned touchpoints.