In the most recent Global Creativity in PR Study, published here at the end of last year, we discovered that courage is considered a key driver for creativity in PR, yet a fear of failure and risk aversion are stopping both agencies and clients from producing their best work. Over two thirds of agencies said that "playing it safe" was a big barrier. 

Cannes is of course just around the corner, and bravery is part of the criteria for judging what wins a Lion. The festival defines brave creative as "work that takes chances in pursuit of excellence and changes the status quo." But this is easier said than done as our study last year shows.

For most of us, being brave is not something we are encouraged to practice at work on a daily basis. When was the last time taking a risk featured in an appraisal? Or you were rewarded for your resilience? How do you begin to challenge the status quo without causing mayhem, treading on toes or pissing your team or your clients off?

As someone who works with individuals and leadership teams to help up their creative ante and confidence, I'm interested to explore what creative bravery means at work, in real time, and what opportunities it might open up if people felt they could focus on 'how to be brave.' So I've teamed up with Gerry Hopkinson, co-founder of east London creative agency Unity, which has topped the Global Creative Index four out of the last five years here at the Holmes Report and are no strangers to the idea of creativity and bravery. 

Gerry is passionate on the subject. "It seems to me that great ideas generally get pushed over the edge by people who just say 'I feel this is right, and you're going to have to just trust me or sack me,'" he says. "In the end it's not giving up on an idea, it's individual and collective bravery. People are after all bravery when they know everyone has got each other's back. I'm keen to hear other people's stories of creative bravery and what we can learn from each other."

We've developed an immersive workshop at Cannes this year to explore bravery in action, and how to develop this muscle if you want breakthrough creativity to thrive. 

We don't have all the answers! So as part of our research (for Cannes and beyond) we'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject. What does creative bravery mean to you? What do you think would be possible in your creative life if you were more of a lion than a lamb? Do you know where to start? 

Please take part in our short questionnaire here and if you're headed to Cannes, join us on June 21 from 15:00 - 16:30 for our workshop #LambsToLions: The 5 Questions Every Creative Team Leader Needs to Ask, The Workshop Space.  

We'll share the results on the 21st June. One lucky survey entrant will win a copy of Claire's Amazon bestseller on creativity in business entitled In Your Creative Element, with the winner drawn at random when we close the surgery next week.