I can still feel the feelings. That’s the strange magic of music—it acts like a time capsule. A song written years ago in the haze of unrequited love still knows how to tug at me today. Song writing, for me, has never been about chasing applause or recognition. It’s been about survival, self-expression, and truth-telling.
And that ties directly into the mission of Love Your Work!—exploring the intersection of culture, creativity, and conscious leadership. Just as organisations thrive when people lead with authenticity, individuals thrive when they dare to create. Creativity isn’t a side hobby; it’s leadership in action. It’s choosing to express instead of suppress, to take risks instead of playing safe, to create before we consume.
Creativity as a Leadership Practice
Leaders can take the same lesson into their work. When you model creative courage—whether it’s through music, art, writing, or simply experimenting with new ideas—you show others that growth is not about perfection. It’s about being present enough to try.
AI even has a role here. I’ve started experimenting with it in my own song writing. It doesn’t replace the raw humanity of the creative process, but it can expand the palette—helping with arrangements, offering new sounds, sparking fresh possibilities. Think of it as an unexpected bandmate, one that challenges you to imagine differently.
Here is a link to the original recorded version of the song on SoundCloud
A Community of Makers
Here’s where this newsletter comes in. Alongside reflections on culture and leadership, I’ll be doing regular “show and tells”—sharing what I’ve been creating, even if it’s messy, unfinished, or not very good. Because it’s not about polish. It’s about joy, honesty, and creating before we consume.
And I want you to feel permission to do the same. Imagine building a community where we don’t just scroll and compare, but actually make things. Where we share our songs, stories, doodles, or experiments—not for validation, but for connection.
Here is a link to the SunoAI Version of the song
Final Note
Music teaches me that creative expression is never wasted. It records emotions, heals wounds, and sometimes even surprises us years later with its truth. Whether you’re leading a team, writing in your journal, or testing out AI tools in your craft, remember: every act of creativity is an act of becoming.
When we create, we don’t just make art—we make culture.
This has been Rachel Sparkes exploring culture, creativity and conscious leadership in the modern workplace, Love Your Work!
