21st Century Leadership | Keith Yamashita | TEDxSanFrancisco

About this Video

• Video Title: 21st Century Leadership | Keith Yamashita | TEDxSanFrancisco
• Channel: TEDx Talks
• Speakers: Keith Yamashita, David Binder, Mrs. Shrigley, Paul Rand, Marian Rand
• Duration: 17:19

Introduction

This TEDx Talk by Keith Yamashita explores the essence of 21st-century leadership through the lens of creativity. Yamashita uses personal anecdotes and professional experiences to illustrate how cultivating a creative mindset, embracing curiosity, and confidently pursuing one's unique gifts are essential for effective leadership.

Key Takeaways

• The Importance of Seeing: Yamashita emphasizes the power of truly seeing the world, not just looking at it, as a catalyst for creativity and understanding. His early experiences with photography fostered this ability.
• The Role of Confidence: A teacher's confident belief in Yamashita's unique abilities spurred his creative journey, highlighting the importance of self-belief and the influence of mentors.
• Understanding as a Non-Delegable Skill: Yamashita's leadership philosophy centers around the idea that understanding should never be delegated; leaders must deeply understand the issues at hand to guide effectively. This is illustrated through his work with cities, communities, and education reform.
• The Power of Editing and Simplicity: Yamashita recounts a critical experience with Paul Rand, emphasizing the crucial role of editing and refinement in creative work. Masterful creatives distill complexity into simplicity.
• Ideas Choose You: David Binder's perspective, shared by Yamashita, underscores that creative pursuits often begin with ideas choosing the individual, rather than the other way around. Leaders must be open to those calls.