Charles Day

Charles Day is a creative leadership advisor, executive coach, and founder of Unlock Creativity. His career began in film production at the James Garrett studio in London before joining Ogilvy & Mather in New York. Day later moved to Ogilvy & Mather Chicago, where he transitioned from writing copy to joining the agency's broadcast production department. This foundation in creative craft and business strategy led Day to co-found The Whitehouse, a global film editing company. During his tenure, he established interconnected offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and London, introducing a model that influenced the post-production industry.

Day describes himself as an accidental consultant. After building his creative film editing company, he began advising others on developing organizations that foster creativity. This demand marked a new chapter in his career, working with disruptive companies ranging from global brands to founder-led startups. Day serves as a leadership confidant to creative leaders and is a Principal of the Boswell Group, which provides psychodynamic management consulting to CEOs, corporate directors, and senior leaders. His work integrates strategic insight with an understanding of the human dynamics of leadership, positioning him as a trusted advisor across creative industries.

Day's contributions to creative leadership extend into academia. He is an adjunct professor at Columbia University, where he teaches the art and science of building companies that unlock profitable creativity. He also coaches at Harvard Business School in the Executive Education Program and writes for Fast Company, speaking regularly on creative leadership. His framework for organizational creativity—identifying gravity, tension, heat, speed, and generosity as core forces—has influenced business leaders worldwide and established him as a thought leader at the intersection of creativity and commerce.

Day hosts the "Fearless Creative Leadership" podcast, which features conversations with business leaders, artists, and athletes about unlocking creativity and leadership. With hundreds of episodes and a global audience, "Fearless Creative Leadership" serves as a resource for those seeking to lead with imagination and impact. Day's career, spanning advertising, entrepreneurship, academia, and coaching, offers insights into building cultures where creativity thrives.