Ryan Battles Data-Driven Marketing Specialist

Creativity, Inc.

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Ed Catmull is the president of both Pixar and Disney Animation Studios. He is an innovator in technological and creative spaces, and this book is an entertaining and informative look behind-the-scenes of some of today’s most popular animated films. What impresses me most about Catmull, however, is his ability to keep high spirits amongst his team, even in face of the threat of low morale. His newest book, Creativity, Inc., is encouraging and empowering for anyone who works with a team, especially those in the creative spaces.

I’ve gone ahead and written down some of my notes for the book in a slideshow format, as well as a PDF that you can download below:

You can also download the PDF version of my notes on Creativity, Inc. here:

Creativity, Inc. Slides (PDF).

Slide Content:

  • Give a good idea to a mediocre team, and they will screw it up.
  • Give a mediocre idea to a great team, and they will either fix it or come up with something better.
  • If you don’t strive to uncover what is unseen and understand its nature, you will be ill prepared to lead.
  • It’s not the manager’s job to prevent risks.
  • It’s the manager’s job to make it safe for others to take risks.
  • The cost of preventing errors is often far greater than the cost of fixing them.
  • A company’s communication structure should not mirror its organizational structure.
  • Everybody should be able to talk to anybody.
  • Do not assume that general agreement will lead to change—it takes substantial energy to move a group, even when all are on board.
  • Quality is the best business plan.
  • Failure isn’t a necessary evil.
  • People are more important than ideas.
  • Prepare for the unknown.
  • Don’t confuse the process with the goal.
  • Give good feedback to ensure excellence.
  • These principles should be at the heart of any work environment that strives for originality, fosters problem solving, and pushes its employees to new heights.

About the author

Ryan Battles

HI, I'M RYAN. I believe the best way to learn and remember is by writing things down and sharing them with others. This blog exists to help me synthesize and process my journey towards self-improvement.

Ryan Battles Data-Driven Marketing Specialist

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About me

HI, I'M RYAN. I believe the best way to learn and remember is by writing things down and sharing them with others. This blog exists to help me synthesize and process my journey towards self-improvement.