The #1 secret of creative collaboration

My creative life began with my band. We only played original songs. I wrote the music on guitar. My friend sang and wrote the melody and the lyrics. We still do it that way, when we have the opportunity.

And there was a moment, all those years ago. One special moment when the how-to creative penny dropped.

The secret of creative collaboration.

My friend and I went to see a movie. A movie about the genius of creative collaboration and how to make it flow. A movie about a new way of creative collaboration. Or more likely, a movie unlocking the secrets of the world's best collaborators over the centuries.

Bill and Ted.

Yep.

Bill and Ted, of Bill and Ted's excellent adventure fame.

And what is the secret? What did I learn?

I learned, in all seriousness, that when someone offers a suggestion, no matter how dumb, how stupid, or how unworkable that suggestion is, never say no.

Never say, that's dumb, that's stupid, that's unworkable.

Instead, say, yes. Say, that's awesome, and have you thought about this.

And say, you are a genius, I love that, and how about this, and this!

It's not the biggest secret in the world. And it's not the best.

Unless you don't know it.