About the author
Roy Sharples is the Founder, President and Chief Creative Officer of Unknown Origins on a mission to unlock everyones creative potential.
Manifesto
Manifesto
Inspire Action Through Connection:
Books That Build Understanding and Broaden Perspectives
Abstract
Since the first human crawled deep into a cave to make art, creativity has flourished among rebels and risk takers, mavericks, and visionaries.
However, if creativity thrives among outsiders, how can it be nurtured inside large organizations? How can one build a team that works together to solve real problems while leaving room for individual inspiration? How can one ignite the creative spark without burning down the building?
Roy Sharples draws on decades of experience at the vanguard of business innovation and a deep affinity for applying an artistic instinct to explore these questions, offering novel solutions.
Building on a broad survey of the misfits who defined the modern world, from Dada to Elon Musk and Bauhaus to Acid House, he explores what makes the creative mind tick. He also examines the conditions that nourish creativity in organizations of all sizes, from artists to corporations to civilizations.
The result is a manifesto for harnessing inspiration and unleashing the creative power we all have inside.
Contents
CHAPTER 1: PHILOSOPHY IN THE BEDROOM
Creativity is the spark that reveals unseen worlds, a compass guiding you toward a vision uniquely your own. It disrupts monotony, breathes life into the mundane, and defies convention. Aspire not to mimic those who inspire you, but to stand with them, forging your own legacy. Creativity thrives within the framework of principles and constraints—they define what you are and, just as importantly, what you are not.
CHAPTER 2: THE MODERNISTS, MAVERICKS, AND MISFITS
True artists are perpetual outsiders—the rebels whose mission is to upend convention. These visionaries architect change, subverting the ordinary to enrich lives and redefine society. When creativity is sustained, it becomes the ultimate differentiator, inspiring generations to push beyond mediocrity.
CHAPTER 3: POP CULTURE REFLECTS TIME
Pop culture is history’s mirror, binding entertainment, politics, fashion, and technology into a narrative that sparks change. It serves as both a reflection and a catalyst—bridging experiences across time and space, propelling ideas forward while standing on the wisdom of the past.
CHAPTER 4: CREATIVE SOCIETIES
Societies are incubators of creativity, birthing movements that unlock human potential. When cultures embrace imagination, they set the stage for a world where innovation, fulfillment, and joy are not the exceptions but the norms.
CHAPTER 5: CHAOS TO CULTURE
Creativity flourishes in spaces where risk is embraced, where DIY culture thrives, and where social ecosystems foster fearless expression. Through real-world examples from industry leaders, discover how individuals, teams, and organizations cultivate creativity—transforming chaos into culture.
CHAPTER 6: AESTHETICS IN LOVE – THE CREATIVE PROCESS
The journey from idea to realization follows three essential phases: Dream, Make, Do. Through the experiences of creative pioneers, this chapter unpacks the process of turning fleeting thoughts into tangible works of art, revealing the secrets to sustained creative success.
CHAPTER 7: LEADING WITHOUT FRONTIERS
Creative leadership is built on vision, values, and unrelenting curiosity. Follow the five archetypal stages of leadership—Fledgling, Journeyman, Expert, Innovator, and Artist—to master the skills needed to cultivate creativity in teams and organizations. This is a manifesto for leading beyond limits, where artistic expression meets excellence.
Reviews
Author
Roy Sharples
is an unapologetic champion of creative bravery, seeing it as the driving force behind progress, reinvention, and the human spirit. With razor-sharp wit and deep insight, he crafts narratives that defy convention, explore the essence of the human condition, and celebrate the brilliant, imperfect nature of creativity.
From the chaos of startups to the polished corridors of global corporations, Roy has led transformative innovations, shaped iconic brands, and propelled ventures to prominence. His unique perspective bridges technology, creativity, and cultural storytelling, offering a fresh lens on the intersection of ambition and authenticity.
His work challenges readers to find beauty in their flaws, embrace the unpredictability of human connection, and view creativity not as an act, but as a way of shaping the future.
