Creativity, Inc. Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration.

This book by Pixar, Disney, and DisneyToon Studios’ President, Ed Catmull is amazing. As a long time Pixar geek I have soaked up just about everything available in terms of Pixar culture, special features, documentaries etc. I’ve watched The Pixar Story by Leslie Iwerks, and read The Pixar Touch by David A. Price. I’ve watched YouTube lectures by Ed Catmull, Lassiter, Stanton, Doctor, and of course Jobs.

So, when I started reading Creativity, Inc., I didn’t think there would be much new information to be honest. Boy was I wrong. This is the first extensive work published by a Pixar leader and it’s an in depth look at the management style and studio culture development thought process of one of the most unassuming and effective leaders of our generation. It covers the same history and facts and highlights some of the same Pixar culture principles, but I was amazed at how much rich content each chapter had. I can’t think of another recent book where I’ve highlighted so much. Just about every line is tweetable.

This book drips with wisdom for leaders of any organization, not just creative shops. For me, it was the perfect storm of creativity, healthy organizational culture, and leadership principles. It really transcends industries because creativity and leadership transcend industries.