In a world increasingly turning to AI as a go-to solution, human creativity remains irreplaceable. Because true breakthroughs don't come from algorithms, they come from people.
At the end of the day, it's our teams' ingenuity, intuition, and originality that push boundaries and drive meaningful change.
A lack of creative opportunities in the workplace contributes to burnout, leaving employees disengaged. As leaders, we have a responsibility to cultivate their creative energy by prioritizing exploration over perfection.
However, unlocking that potential requires intentional strategies. I've learned this firsthand in the PR industry, where pushing the boundaries of creative thinking isn't just encouraged—it's essential.
Here are my tips to foster creativity.
Ditch the desk and gamify creativity
Creativity isn't generated from routine; it's fostered when new perspectives are shared.
Habitual decision-making, default processes, and regular meetings may feel efficient, but they often block innovation by reinforcing what's familiar instead of what's possible.
Step back and ask: Is this approach still serving us? And, more important: What else haven't we tried?
Moving creative sessions into spaces like parks or creative hubs—a shared workshop space, an independent bookstore with a quiet back room, a community center that's used to host everything from writing circles to open mics—can lead to breakthroughs, even for remote teams. Such spaces remove the invisible pressure of "performing" creativity.
Familiar formats tend to produce familiar outcomes. Gamifying processes may connect with a younger workforce, increase productivity during those midday slumps, and encourage participation.
Try lightning rounds, where team members have two minutes to pitch an idea or engage in idea battles. Teams can compete to present the most relevant solutions, turning these sessions into an opportunity for employees to brainstorm, leapfrog off one another's contributions, and find inspiration in how other people problem-solve.
As gamifying creative sessions lowers the stakes and invites play, creating space to openly share mistakes can further dismantle the pressure to get things right on the first try.
Embrace 'mistake story time'
Mistakes are part and parcel of the creative process, but that doesn't mean employees automatically feel safe to share their experiences.
Creating space for teams to host a "mistake story time" can help shift a mindset away from perfectionism and toward seeing hurdles as valuable learning experiences. When employees, especially longstanding employees or managers, openly share challenges or their most lamented blunders, failure becomes a moment for constructive critique.
That's how leaders create a lasting atmosphere where setbacks are met with openness, transforming missteps into opportunities for shared growth rather than moments of shame.
Try hosting story-time sessions monthly or as a quick addition to weekly team check-ins.
For example, members of a marketing team might discuss a social media ad that didn't garner the forecast attention from a specific audience, reveal the factors that caught them by surprise, and educate their colleagues on what to do in a similar scenario.
That mindset-shift lays the groundwork for using constraints not as limitations, but as tools to drive inventive solutions.
Set constraints to break out of the box
Sometimes, the best way to unleash creativity is to constrain it.
By setting limitations, your team is forced to stretch creative muscles they weren't even aware existed. And this approach applies not just to traditional creative roles; it's a tool that can be used across all industries to spark new ideas.
Push creative limits with exercises like "one-sense-only" sessions, where teams develop ideas using only sound, touch, taste, smell, or sight. When teams are restricted to using one sensory input, they are compelled to explore that single experience in more depth, uncovering nuances they might otherwise overlook.
For instance, a product team might focus on new packaging concepts using only visual cues, pushing them to rethink how shape, color, and design influence consumer perception.
Constraints disrupt automatic thinking. They challenge default approaches, encourage originality, and open the door to unexpected solutions. Once that mindset is activated, it becomes easier to bring that creative energy into everyday work.
Embed creativity into mundane tasks
Creativity doesn't just belong in brainstorms or offsites, it thrives when embedded into everyday workflows.
One of the simplest ways to start is through reframing. Instead of reacting to challenges, ask questions like, "What's an unexpected solution to this?" and "How can we reimagine this challenge to open new possibilities?" This line of questioning encourages ownership and invites employees to see themselves as active participants in shaping the culture, not surviving it.
Consider, for example, meetings—a common source of fatigue and frustration. Instead of accepting "too many meetings" as a cost of collaboration, reframing might ask: "What if meetings weren't the default?"
That shift creates alternatives like asynchronous creative sessions, rotating meeting-free days, or visual project road map updates in place of live check-ins. The challenge doesn't go away, but the path to solving it becomes more inventive, and often more efficient.
Reframing everyday challenges is only one part of the equation. To create an environment where creative ideas can take root, teams need psychological safety and operational space to test, iterate, and even fail. That means leaders must model curiosity, celebrate experimentation, and remove friction where possible. That's how creative momentum becomes a sustainable part of the culture.
Lead with creativity
As leaders, we have the power to create the conditions that enable creativity to thrive. When we encourage creative risk-taking, we empower our teams to find inspiration.
By embedding creativity into everyday processes, we not only ensure that our creative muscles remain strong but also position our companies to be leaders in a world where human ingenuity still reigns supreme.
More Resources on Creativity in the Workplace
Creativity in Marketing Now: Why Professional Ingenuity Is More Crucial Than Ever
