Brave Together
Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation
CREATIVITY
by Chris Deaver & Ian Clawson
5/28/20249 min read
Welcome to the book summary of “Brave Together - Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation” by Chris Deaver & Ian Clawson, written and narrated by Janky Mind.
Introduction
Brave Together is a guide that shows us how teamwork can spark new ideas and lead to success in leadership. It’s like a treasure map that points us to the magic of working together to create something amazing and build a place where everyone loves to work.
We often hear that to succeed, we need to work non-stop and do it all on our own. But this can make us feel tired, alone, and cut off from others. What if we changed the game and worked hand-in-hand with others? This way of teaming up, called cocreation, could be the secret ingredient for a future where everyone’s ideas matter and help us move forward.
This book will take you on a journey to discover how joining forces can help us overcome our fears, grow as people, and make our workplaces happier and more creative. You’ll learn how to turn tough times into a chance to be creative and how kindness can make a big difference. Plus, you’ll see how sharing ideas can change whole industries and why it’s better to create together than alone."
Chapter 1: How teaming up and looking inward can spark creativity.
When Ian Clawson and Dave Arcade joined forces to make the cartoon Spaceland, they embarked on an adventure filled with both exciting ideas and scary challenges. Ian, brimming with ideas, and Dave, a wizard with art, showed us that making something together is powerful but also scary. They weren’t just mixing their skills; they were learning to face common fears that all creators feel: fear of failing, losing their own style, and worrying about what others will think.
These fears can be big roadblocks. For Ian and Dave, they could have stopped their creativity in its tracks. But they chose to be brave together, and that made all the difference. They showed that when we support each other, we can get past our fears and do amazing things.
At the center of this story is the mirror test. It’s a moment to really look at yourself and ask: Are you just pretending, or are you working towards being the best you can be? This test is about being honest with yourself, celebrating your wins, learning from mistakes, and dreaming of a future that’s true to who you are. It’s about being real with yourself and making sure your actions match your deepest values.
Taking this test means you’re ready to be responsible for your own path, choosing real steps over easy excuses. This journey of self-discovery makes you more aware of who you are and sets you up for a life where you work well with others and achieve great things together. It’s all about being clear with yourself, breaking free from just going through the motions, and aiming for a future built on creativity, teamwork, and strong values. By doing this, you start to live every day in a way that leads to the life you really want.
In short, the road to new ideas and working well with others is built on the bravery to face what scares us, the commitment to grow by looking inside ourselves, and the promise to work together creatively. Creating a place where everyone is kind, respects each other, and supports one another opens the door to everyone’s creative power, leading to a future we all make together.
Chapter 2: How working together can make our jobs awesome.
Today’s work world is fast and full of change, where being creative and getting along with others can lead to big wins. But sometimes, companies focus too much on results and forget to make room for new ideas, which can stop creativity in its tracks. What if leaders tried something new and encouraged everyone to create together? This idea, called cocreation, is like a superpower that brings people together to make something even better, just like how combining atoms can release a ton of energy.
People often choose between the safety of a regular job and the adventure of starting their own business. Regular jobs are safe but can be boring, while starting your own business is exciting but risky. We need a new way that takes the best parts of both. A way where we can be creative, really care about what we’re doing, and make things together.
Enter the cocreator mindset. It’s a fresh way to think about work that combines the good stuff from regular jobs and being your own boss. It’s all about teamwork, embracing different ideas, and coming up with cool stuff together. It means you can make a difference without quitting your job, and if you’re a boss, you can build a team that wins together.
To start thinking like a cocreator, imagine meetings as a time when everyone’s ideas count. Change the work vibe to cheer on the best ideas, no matter who they come from. This way, work becomes a place full of happiness, new ideas, and a common goal. It fights loneliness and makes leaders into people who inspire us to reach our shared dreams, helping both the business and us to grow.
Cocreation is a game-changer for making businesses grow and making us feel good about our work. Imagine a future where work is more than just a job—it’s a team adventure full of discovery and new ideas. Our challenge is to really go for this change, break down the walls that make us feel alone, and make a work world that loves cocreation. This isn’t just about being great at business; it’s about being happy, feeling connected, and building a community that thrives together. The journey to this kind of future is tricky, but it promises a work life that’s more rewarding and connected for all of us.
Chapter 3: Turning tough times into a creative supercharge.
Imagine if the tough stuff in life was actually a secret door to awesome possibilities? When things go downhill, whether in business or personal life, it’s easy to think it’s all bad. But what if you could flip that around and see the good stuff that can come out of it? That’s where you find the magic to make cool things happen.
Let’s talk about Clint Schaff. He was in charge of LA Times Studios when it was having a rough time. Instead of giving up, Clint got creative. He and his team loved telling stories, so they tried something new: they started a podcast. This wasn’t just a save; it changed the game for them and their industry. It shows how much awesome stuff we can do when we put our heads together.
The big idea here is making the best out of the bad. Dive into the challenges, not to get stuck, but to really understand them and turn them into chances to shine. This works for personal problems too. Facing them head-on is how you grow stronger.
Loving what you do is a big part of this. It’s what drives you to dive deep into your work and enjoy it. Remember, what you’re passionate about can change as you do, and that’s okay. It means you can keep finding joy in new things without being stuck on one passion.
Sometimes, anger or wanting payback can throw you off track. It’s tough, but turning those feelings into something positive is key. Letting go of grudges can free you up and point your energy in the right direction—towards making and doing great things. This change is super important for feeling at peace and doing well in life.
Making a positive spin out of the negatives means taking real steps. Learn from the hard times to find new ways forward. Embrace what you love to bring fresh energy to your work and life. It’s all about building a place where letting go beats holding grudges, where creativity comes from facing your battles, and where every problem is a chance to get even better.
In the end, making adversity your ally means seeing challenges as chances to grow. Use what you’re passionate about, turn the negatives into positives, and be ready for change. This way, you’ll find new ideas and success. This mindset will help you beat the bumps in the road and set you up for long-term wins, making the hardest times the start of your best moments.
Chapter 4: How kindness can change the world.
In a little town in Swat, Pakistan, where fear was as common as the morning sun, a brave girl named Malala Yousafzai chose to fight darkness with light. Her tool? Her voice. It was stronger than any fear and louder than any explosion. Malala wrote about girls’ rights to go to school, faced those who tried to silence her, and rose to tell her story to the world, earning the Nobel Peace Prize. Her fight wasn’t just for her own education—it was a battle cry for every girl who wanted to learn.
This story is all about the power of caring for others—the compassion principle. It’s the idea that real happiness doesn’t come from just looking out for yourself, but from helping others shine. Malala’s courage shows us that when we work for something bigger than ourselves, we can light up the world.
Her story also flips the script on what success looks like. It’s not just about what you get; it’s about what you give. It’s about stepping out of your own story and into a bigger picture where everyone’s well-being matters.
Living with compassion means making real connections and changing lives, including your own. It’s about putting other people’s hopes and dreams first and finding that this is where true joy lives. This principle tells us that we’re all connected, and when we help others, we make everything stronger.
So think about it: how can your actions, no matter how small, make things kinder? Malala’s journey from Swat to the world stage shows us that when we care for others, we can do the impossible. It’s a powerful reminder that the best way to build a better world is together, with hearts full of compassion and a belief that everyone has something amazing to offer.
Chapter 5: Crafting our future with the magic of creativity.
In our fast-paced world, full of surprises and changes, creativity stands out as a shining light, guiding us toward hope and new beginnings. The wild ride of the past few years has pushed us to think differently about how we work, live, and dream up new ideas. It’s put the spotlight on creative people—those who dare to question the usual ways and see a world filled with endless what-ifs, and have the passion to make those what-ifs real.
Creativity used to be a solo journey, but now it’s all about joining hands and making something amazing together. Think about Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. It wasn’t just his dream; it was a dream woven by many, a dream that changed the world. It shows us that when we all chip in, we can make waves that change society and culture.
Take a look at places like Brigham Young University’s Animation Department, where students learn to team up and bring stories to life, leading to big wins in the animation world. This teamwork has set a new bar, proving that together, we can do wonders.
The business world is catching on, too. Companies are starting to see the value in the rebels and the dreamers, the ones who think outside the box. By welcoming these fresh views and letting creativity bloom, businesses like Pixar and Dell have made epic discoveries and reshaped their fields.
As we go forward, it’s getting clear that creators are different from influencers. Creators don’t just want likes or views; they want to touch hearts, spark thoughts, and connect with people on a deeper level. They know that being creative is not about showing off; it’s about sharing experiences that move us all.
In this changing world, we’re all called to let our creative sides shine, to see ourselves as part of a big, bold canvas of innovation. It’s by dreaming together, daring together, and doing together that we’ll build a tomorrow where creativity isn’t just a nice thing to have—it’s the very ground we stand on. So let’s step into this exciting new era, where creativity is our guide, and working as one is our path to the most incredible dreams we can imagine.
Final summary
Imagine a world where we all join hands to turn tough times into bright ideas and cool inventions. When we’re brave together, look deep inside ourselves, and make things with others, we can sail through rough waters and land on the shores of a fun and exciting future. This way of teaming up can light up our talents and create a place where everyone cares and wins together, leading us to a tomorrow where we do amazing things as a team that we couldn’t do just by ourselves.
About the author
Chris Deaver is like a captain guiding big ships like Apple and Disney through storms to sunny days. He’s written books like “Know Before You Go” and “Fearless Dating” to help others find their way. Ian Clawson is a trailblazer in helping organizations grow and leaders shine, with a history in healthcare and marketing. He’s the voice behind the “Lead with a Question” podcast and has shared his insights in “Fast Company” magazine. Together, they’re all about sparking change and making work a blast.