How to Lead Creatives Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Vision)
Leading creatives is one of the most rewarding — and challenging — roles you can have.
Whether you're managing a team at your church, building a content brand, or overseeing a group of designers, videographers, or writers, you've probably felt the tension:
Balancing vision with flexibility
Giving feedback without crushing morale
Trying to keep projects on track without stifling creativity
And let's be honest: it can feel like you're always stuck between being too hands-on or too hands-off.
So how do you lead creatives well and stay sane? Here are a few things I’ve learned from years of doing both ministry and creative leadership.
1. Cast Vision Often — Then Cast It Again
Creatives thrive when they understand the “why.”
Your job isn’t just to assign tasks. It’s to inspire direction.
➡️ Revisit the big picture often. Why does this project matter? What’s the deeper goal?
When your team knows the why, they’ll bring more ownership to the how.
2. Give Clear Feedback (Not Just Vibes)
“Hmm… it just doesn’t feel right.” That might be true — but it’s not helpful.
Learn to give feedback that’s:
✅ Clear (What’s not working?)
✅ Kind (How can they grow?)
✅ Specific (What should change?)
Creatives don’t need sugarcoating — they need constructive clarity.
3. Make Space for Process, Not Just Product
Deadlines are necessary. But creativity doesn’t always run on a timer.
➡️ Build margin into your timelines.
➡️ Give permission to brainstorm, explore, and revise.
When people feel safe to try (and even fail), they’re more likely to produce their best work.
4. Don't Lead From Insecurity
Insecure leaders either micromanage or disappear. Neither builds a healthy creative culture.
Lead with humility and confidence:
Ask questions you don’t have answers to.
Celebrate wins that weren’t your idea.
Empower your team without needing the credit.
5. Let Your Faith Shape How You Lead
If you’re a Christian leader, this one’s everything.
Creativity is spiritual. Leadership is sacred. And people aren’t just projects — they’re image-bearers of God.
So lead like Jesus:
Serve your team.
Speak life.
Offer grace and truth.
Your leadership will leave a deeper mark than any project ever could.
Need Help Leading Your Creative Team?
I offer 1:1 coaching for creative leaders who want to grow their influence, build healthier teams, and make an impact without burning out.
