Tennessee and Georgia are in a tizzy over 51 miles of land. Actually, Georgia wants it and Tennessee won’t budge. There is a line stretching from east to west that, originally, was to define the border: the 35th Parallel. But, human error resulted in inaccuracies, and the measurements made by early surveyors proved incorrect–at least to the folks in Georgia. You see, the tizzy involves water. The 35th parallel cuts through a southern dip of the Tennessee River near Nickajack Dam, north of the current state line. If it wasn’t for the valued water, I am sure that Georgia wouldn’t be perusing the issue with such passion.

When lines were drawn in the U.S. defining the individual states, there was an interesting progression. Starting in the east, where the country’s population began, state borders were greatly influenced by the connection to water and land masses such as mountain ranges. When you see the states in the east, you’ll notice their shapes seem hapless and irregular. When the Louisiana purchase was made from France in 1803–828800 square miles west of the Mississippi–the states resultant from the deal have more “boxy” shapes. When no one is around to dispute the laying of a boundary, it is a less complicated issue. When people move in, borders matter and the issue gets a bit more complex, to say the least.

Some people like to peer into the backyards of their neighbor (don’t you?). Take political borders within a state–or even a region, for instance, when a valuable commodity exists just on the other side of an invisible line–politicians have been known to “adjust” the lines for their own political benefit. Take the term, Gerrymandering. In 1812, Governor Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts signed a bill that enabled the redrawing of Massachusetts state senate election districts to benefit his political party. When mapped, one of the contorted districts in the Boston area was said to resemble the shape of a salamander. The Boston Gazette came up with the term, gerrymander, and it still reminds us today of the ridiculous measures a human will take to steal someone else’s stuff.

As with state and national borders, it is also important to set personal boundaries in our lives. According to author Robert Burney, from book Codependence: The Dance of Wounded Souls, “the purpose of having boundaries is to protect and take care of ourselves. We need to be able to tell other people when they are acting in ways that are not acceptable to us. A first step is starting to know that we have a right to protect and defend ourselves. That we have not only the right, but the duty to take responsibility for how we allow others to treat us.” Sometimes when people encroach upon our personal borders it is proper to ask the question of the trespasser, “What part of “NO” don’t you understand?!”

Creative people are an exceptional bunch. Many assume that being creative equals being late, irresponsible, over-sensitive, fussy, eccentric, lazy, etc. I’m sure that many are, but the reputation of a few should never be forced on the rest of us. And why is it that we as a society pay creative people so much money to do what they do? We love what they bring to our lives! But we just don’t understand what makes them tick.

There is a creative sensitivity in all of us: when our ideas are shot down at work, church, in a board meeting, or within a personal relationship, for instance, it hurts as much as a producer saying to a musician in a recording session, “I don’t like your guitar playing on this song!” We are all human. Being a creative person means that the product of our minds is not simply a subjective piece of information. Rather, it is an objective piece of “us” birthed from our hearts and imaginations. When a person tries to super-impose his or her heavy-handed business management style upon a band or vocal rehearsal, for instance, proper communication, or the lack of, will make or break the environment. Many a hard-core business person, or even a Marine drill instructor might want to say, “Tough it out, wuss!” The fact is, when the hammer comes down like that in a creative setting, creative people fold, and you might as well close down for the day.

When I am leading a recording session or a rehearsal, I like to create a positive environment by making the space feel light and fun. I also try to make positive personal contact with each player, singer and engineer because that helps initiate the flow of ideas. I want the artist to feel free to let go and give it all they’ve got. Usually, in these sessions or rehearsals, the musical arrangements are in place, but the individual investments coming from the instrumentalists and vocalists are welcomed within these parameters. Most great musicians like some kind of direction, but they also want to contribute when a good idea floats to the top.

In any event, a good leader is there to keep things flowing and on track. The way a leader runs the situation can either support a positive environment or will stifle spontaneity. Just by showing courtesy, speaking kindly, showing grace in brain-storming sessions, making compliments when appropriate, and generally being interested in the persons involved, we are creating a healthy environment for the growth of ideas.

Rick Warren said this recently to pastors of churches: “Don’t expect people to be interested in your “vision” if you are not interested in their lives.” I believe any effective leader, creative or otherwise, who applies these principles in their daily dealings with people will find success. As I said earlier, when we are working with creative people, their products are not just mere objects, but are extensions of their very soul.

As a leader, whether in business, in the Arts, at home, at church, or in a relationship, we can nurture positive and creative environments by allowing those around us to dream. Who knows, there might be an Einstein, a Ford, a Bill Gates, a Jimi Hendrix or another Billy Graham among us!