"There's no rules to be a 'good' CEO; it's no wonder there's so many leadership consultants offering guidance."
Christopher S Sellers’ career can be described as ’15 years of hopscotch between corporate + creative’. Currently, he consults for a kaleidoscope of industries, working with leaders invested in optimal creative skill sets, cultures conducive to creativity and leading ideas. Previously, he ran a kung fu school, scripted film, television and theater, taught tap dancing, professionally performed Shakespeare and designed ‘escape rooms for spies’…
Working cross-industry for over a decade, Chris has been able to break creativity down into six specific, universal skill sets: Innovation – Problem Solving – Composition – Adaptability – Originality – Emotional Intelligence
His original model of Applied Creativity clarifies creative processes, enabling organizations to enhance innovation, gain strategic insight, solve complex problems and compose original solutions.
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET FEATURED?
All interviews are 100% FREE OF CHARGE
Table of Contents
Let’s start with a brief introduction first. Introduce yourself to our readers.
Christopher S Sellers: Hi there, I’m Chris… (only my mother calls me Christopher).
I’m an Expert on Creativity working as a Strategic Consultant, Executive Coach + Speaker, casually teaching myself sleight of hand card magic in between lockdowns.
Our audience is interested to know about how you got started in the first place. Did you always want to become a CEO or was it something you were led to? Our readers would love to know your story!
Christopher S Sellers: Nope.
I started out running my Masters Kung Fu school, I could’ve happily done that until I was 90, but life doesn’t quite play clean sometimes. I auditioned for acting college in Sydney, graduated after three years, then emigrated to London where I began writing/performing my own work.
I had some success on the indie-circuit before optioning some projects to BBC4 and Netflix. Returning home, I juggled creative projects with HR contract roles, specifically role-play scenarios for Training & Assessment.
In my mind, these were just short scenes where candidates needed to demonstrate certain skills… and I could design them better… so I did. I stepped out as an independent consultant to start designing cognitive & needs based assessments for the government and private sector.
Things took an interesting twist when someone asked: “could you design a scenario to assess creative problem solving in Intelligence candidates”? I said yes and designed the Hotel Room.
This project allowed me to bring together the sum part of all my experience, distill a clear educational model, and carve out this niche for myself.
“Selfmade” is a myth. We all received help, no doubt you love to show appreciation to those who supported you when the going got tough, who has been your most important professional inspiration?
Christopher S Sellers: For me it’s more the support from other professionals who ‘get it’.
I’ve a colleague and close friend Robert Andersson who is always gracious and sparing with his time. He’s one of the 1% who prove you can achieve personal and professional success and still be a nice guy.
On the other side of the world, there’s Tony Albrecht in Canada, who runs the Rowdy Creative, an online community dedicated to supporting and facilitating creative process. He’s been a massive supporter and advocate and equally a lovely, warm, human.
Tell us about your company. What does your business do and what are your responsibilities as a CEO?
Christopher S Sellers: As a STRATEGIC CONSULTANT, I provide organisations clear strategy and expert independent insight, specialising in designing force multipliers.
Creative thinking directly influences design thinking, critical analysis, strategic architecture, Agile/Lean operations, risk assessment and more…
I independently advise and facilitate workshops for:
- * Board Advisory
- * Project Management
- * Leadership Facilitation
As an L&D Specialist, I design bespoke, cognitive/needs based assessments, to evaluate creative intelligence within ELT/C-suite decision making, process and execution.
As an EXECUTIVE COACH, I work with Leaders invested in optimal creative practice and developing their creative intelligence. As a baseline assessment, I designed the CREATIVE SKILLS ASSESSMENT (CSA) to:
- * Critically evaluate creative thinking, process and outcomes.
- * Identify areas of strength and needs for improvement.
- * Provide clarity around effective creative process.
- * Provide a model to develop tangible skills and vet creative concepts.
Access the CSA and book your consult here: www.cssellers.com/csa
What does CEO stand for? Beyond the dictionary definition, how would you define it?
Christopher S Sellers: Accountability.
I say what I think. I do what I say. I deliver what I claim. I’m accountable.
When you first became a CEO, how was it different from what you expected? What surprised you?
Christopher S Sellers: Accountability.
I say what I think. I do what I say. I deliver what I claim. I’m accountable.
There are many schools of thought as to what a CEO’s core roles and responsibilities are. Based on your experience, what are the main things a CEO should focus on? Explain and please share examples or stories to illustrate your vision.
Christopher S Sellers: I’d say:
- There’s no rules to be a ‘good’ CEO; it’s no wonder there’s so many leadership consultants offering guidance.
- That there was more positive cross-over in my skill sets than I initially thought.
I’ve an Arts background and I work with my team in the same way I’d approach a professional ensemble… we’re all professionals, I respect you to do the job, my job is to clearly communicate our direction, let’s go together.
How would you define success? Does it mean generating a certain amount of wealth, gaining a certain level of popularity, or helping a certain number of people?
Christopher S Sellers: Personally for me, independence and autonomy.
For my clients, education and empowerment; I aim to make what I teach practical, so you can apply it well after I step out.
Some leadership skills are innate while others can be learned. What leadership skills do you possess innately and what skills have you cultivated over the years as a CEO?
Christopher S Sellers: I like to think I’m compassionate and understanding.
I know I’m decisive and clear in my vision… this can tip to perfectionism at times and I regularly need to dial it back and maybe treat myself more gently.
I definitely have no patience and that may take a lifetime to develop.
Thank you for sharing some of your knowledge with our readers! They would also like to know, what is one skill that you’ve always wanted to acquire but never really could?
Christopher S Sellers: I’d like to learn music.
Next project is to teach myself the banjo and start jamming out.
Before we finish things off, we have one final question for you. If you wrote a book about your life today, what would the title be?
Christopher S Sellers: I think the title is a work in progress… can I come back to you on this?
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Christopher S Sellers for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Christopher S Sellers or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
Did you enjoy this article? Check out similar stories:
Jocko Willink: From US Navy Seal To Millionaire Coach And Best Selling Author
Andy Frisella: An Inspiring Story Of Grit
Allison Stokke: How A Single Photo Made Her The Famous Internet Sensation That She Is Now
Dave Portnoy: The Story Behind The Founding Of Barstool Sports
Jawed Karim: The Story Of Youtube’s Co-Founder And The First Youtuber
Dan Bilzerian: The True Story Of Instagram Playboy Millionaire
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
