Show notes: https://designbetterpodcast.com/p/tina-seelig-constraints-drive-creativityWhat is the difference between creativity and innovation? What does it take to find your superpowers? How can you become open to embracing failure to learn and grow?Tina Seelig, Executive Director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford, has spent a large part of her career answering questions like these, while studying and teaching creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurship.Tina has a PhD in neuroscience, and we speak with her about how her background influences the way that she approaches these topics. We also discuss how to approach creativity in a corporate environment, and why being a good listener is an underrated superpower that many of us can cultivate.BioDr. Tina Seelig is Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and Emeritus Director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program at Stanford School of Engineering. She teaches courses on leadership, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (d.school) at Stanford.In 2014, Dr. Seelig was honored with the SVForum Visionary Award, and in 2009 she received the Gordon Prize from the National Academy of Engineering, recognizing her as a national leader in engineering education. She also received the 2014 MS&E Award for Graduate Teaching, the 2008 National Olympus Innovation Award, and the 2005 and 2019 Stanford Tau Beta Pi Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.Dr. Seelig earned her Ph.D. from Stanford University Medical School in 1985 where she studied Neuroscience. She has worked as a management consultant for Booz, Allen, and Hamilton, as a multimedia producer at Compaq Computer Corporation, and was the founder of a multimedia company called BookBrowser.She has written 17 popular science books and educational games. Her books include The Epicurean Laboratory and Incredible Edible Science, published by Scientific American; and a series of twelve games called Games for Your Brain, published by Chronicle Books. Her three newest books, published by HarperCollins are What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20, inGenius, and Creativity Rules.

Join John Hennessy, former Stanford president and current chairman of Alphabet, alongside Tina Seelig, director of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program. They delve into the art of leadership development, emphasizing that effective leaders are made through empathy and storytelling. Hennessy discusses the Knight-Hennessy initiative aimed at filling the leadership void, while Seelig highlights that communication is key to captivating audiences. Together, they explore the significance of diversity and the power of storytelling in shaping future leaders.

Tina Seelig, Executive Director for the Stanford Technology Ventures Program, provides insights on life, leadership, and the little things that make a big difference in an entrepreneurial setting.

Tina Seelig, a creativity and innovation expert, teams up with John Hennessy, former Stanford president and tech pioneer. They discuss how bold visions can be created and executed, even amid adversity. The conversation covers the transformative Stanford Challenge, emphasizing the importance of community support and entrepreneurial spirit. They also delve into leadership during financial crises, showcasing the necessity of decisive action and effective communication. Their insights illuminate the vital interplay between vision, courage, and resilience in leadership.

Tina Seelig, an expert in leadership and creativity, joins John Hennessy, former president of Stanford University, to tackle the intricacies of leadership in academia. They discuss managing conflicting stakeholder goals, including addressing housing and rent issues. John shares experiences with student activism for living wages, where a hunger strike brought ethical concerns to light. The duo emphasizes the importance of transparency, critical feedback, and fostering innovation through collaboration, all while maintaining core values.