Between the Checklist and the Blank Page

 

There are days when my work feels like walking a tightrope.

One moment, I’m expected to follow processes exactly as they are — templates, standards, formats, quality checks. Don’t miss a step. Don’t improvise. Consistency matters. And I completely agree. In many situations, standardisation is what keeps work efficient, reliable, and safe.

But a few hours later, I’m asked a very different question:

“Can you think differently?”

“Can you make this more innovative?”

“Can you bring a fresh perspective?”

And suddenly, the same system that demanded conformity now expects creativity.

I’ve often found myself thinking — which version of me do you want today?

This is the reality for many of us. The world asks for quality — which usually means standardisation — and at the same time asks for creativity and innovation, which often means breaking away from those very standards. Both are valuable. Both are necessary. But managing the shift between the two is not easy.

As a leader, I’ve realised that this tension doesn’t disappear as you grow — it actually increases. You’re expected to ensure consistency while encouraging experimentation. To protect what works while also making space for what could work better.

What makes it hard is that we switch between these modes multiple times a day. When we’re doing the work, we shift. When we’re explaining the work, we shift again. One conversation needs structure and clarity. Another needs imagination and courage.

Leadership, I’ve learnt, is not about choosing one side. It’s about knowing when to hold the rulebook close and when to put it aside.

Good leaders create clarity around where standards are non-negotiable — and where creativity is not just allowed, but expected. They don’t confuse compliance with competence, nor creativity with chaos.

Over time, I’ve also had to make peace with this truth: it’s okay to feel stretched between these extremes. It doesn’t mean you’re inconsistent. It means you’re adapting.

Standardisation gives us a strong foundation.

Creativity helps us build something new on top of it.

And perhaps real leadership lies in helping people — including ourselves — feel safe while standing at that crossroads.

This balance between structure and creativity is also what inspired me to write my book LEARNAGER. At its heart, the book is about continuous learning — not to compete with the world, but to stay adaptable, aware, and relevant in a constantly changing environment. A learnager understands that growth doesn’t come from rigidly sticking to one way of working. It comes from knowing when to follow, when to question, and when to evolve. If you’re someone navigating these daily crossroads between standards and innovation, LEARNAGER is written for you — to help you learn consciously, grow sustainably, and lead with confidence.

 You can explore the book here: 

LEARNAGER : From Learning to Leading in the Real World 

Amazon KDP 

 https://amzn.in/d/badNOEx

Pothi Print Book https://store.pothi.com/book/dr-shazneen-gandevia-learnager/

Pothi e book

https://store.pothi.com/book/ebook-dr-shazneen-gandevia-learnager/