In today’s fast-paced business world, innovation isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Companies that foster fresh thinking, celebrate new ideas, and encourage risk-taking are the ones that thrive. But what’s the key to unlocking creativity in the workplace?
The answer lies in psychological safety—an environment where individuals feel free to speak up, share unconventional ideas, and make mistakes without fear of judgment. This kind of culture is the bedrock for the innovation that drives growth and success.
I recently sat down with Mag Retelewski, an innovation strategist and a founder of Clarteza, an award-winning ballroom dancer, and former aspiring professional violinist, to explore how we can cultivate creativity and innovation in the workplace. Mag shared invaluable insights on how to tap into our creative potential, especially in environments that often prioritize performance over exploration. She and her team conduct Innovation by Design Workshops where they leverage psychology, neuroscience and creative expression to unlock creativity and innovation. One key takeaway from our conversation? The importance of bringing our whole selves—our passions, experiences, and quirks—into our work. Mag’s approach blends creativity with business strategy, demonstrating that our full, authentic selves are often the catalyst for true innovation.
Creative Thinking as Problem Solving
At its core, creativity is about solving problems in new, innovative ways. It’s not confined to art or design—it’s essential in every field, from business to technology, healthcare to education. Whether you’re in the C-suite or on the frontlines, creative problem-solving is what propels organizations forward.
Mag emphasized that creativity is not some elusive trait reserved for a select few but a skill anyone can develop. As she puts it, “Many people assume that creativity belongs only in the realms of music, art, and design, but the truth is that creativity underpins every major breakthrough in business, technology, healthcare, and more. Whether you’re in the C-suite or on the factory floor, creative problem-solving is what propels companies forward.”
The best part? Creativity is a teachable skill. It’s about developing a mindset that expands possibilities, rather than limits them. Once you understand how to think creatively, you can apply those strategies to any aspect of your life—whether you’re brainstorming solutions for a work project or navigating a personal challenge. So, if you’re ready to activate your creative potential and expand your mind, here are three strategies Mag shared to help you get started:
1. Expand Your Knowledge Library
Think of your brain as a vast library—every experience, piece of knowledge, and skill you acquire is like adding a new book to your collection. The most creative individuals tend to have the largest, most diverse libraries because they pull from a broad range of experiences to solve problems in new ways. There is another aspect of expanding your knowledge library, and that is novelty. Our brains thrive on new experiences and learning, even when they initially feel uncomfortable at first, as novelty stimulates curiosity and fosters personal growth.
As Mag, who has explored everything from classical violin to ballroom dance, explained, “Creative ideas come from where we least expect them. The more you learn, the more connections your brain can make.” You don’t need to be an expert in everything, but the more you expose yourself to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences, the more resources you’ll have to draw upon.
Learning across disciplines, whether it’s through reading, travel, or exploring new hobbies, enriches your brain’s ability to make novel connections. Creative ideas often come from the most unexpected places.
2. Play with Ideas: Embrace Divergence
Creativity thrives when we give ourselves permission to experiment. Too often, we lock ourselves into rigid ways of thinking and try to find the “right” answer too quickly. But true innovation happens when we explore multiple possibilities.
Mag shared a fascinating concept: “Imagine you have 100 different ways to solve a single problem. When you let yourself explore all possibilities—no matter how outlandish—you create space for real breakthroughs.”
Mag encourages you to embrace divergent thinking—the practice of allowing yourself to generate a wide range of solutions without immediately worrying about their feasibility. To foster this mindset, you need to be in a positive, open-minded state. Skepticism is healthy, but cynicism limits possibilities. Allowing yourself to entertain outlandish ideas can often lead to the most unexpected, yet feasible solutions. The goal is not to find the perfect solution immediately, but to expand your thinking and see where it takes you.
3. Convergent Thinking: Harness Focused Effort
While divergent thinking—exploring multiple ideas—is crucial, convergent thinking is where creativity turns into real action. This involves narrowing down and refining ideas to find the best solutions. But convergent thinking requires effort, and let’s face it: we often shy away from effort because our brains are wired to conserve energy.
As Mag explained, “Our brains are wired to conserve energy, but the creative process requires us to step outside of our comfort zones and work through the discomfort.” Convergent thinking is about refining your ideas, building them step by step, and pushing through mental resistance. By following the design thinking approach and making small iterative changes, you gradually refine and build those ideas. The process, at times, can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential for creating something truly innovative.
So, instead of avoiding the effort, embrace it. As Mag points out, it’s through this focused work—sitting with discomfort and refining ideas—that the best solutions come to life.
4. Bringing Your Whole Self to Work
One of the most powerful ways to unlock creativity is by bringing your full, authentic self to work. We often feel we must compartmentalize our personal and professional lives, adopting a “professional” persona at work. However, the integration of our passions, experiences, and personal interests into our professional lives can fuel innovation.
Mag, who has seamlessly balanced her passion for the arts with a successful career in business, shared how her creative pursuits shape her professional work. “When we bring the richness of our personal lives—our interests, talents, and experiences—into our work, we not only bring fresh perspectives, but we also become more charismatic and intriguing to those around us. By fostering connections and getting to know one another, we strengthen human bonds and enhance psychological safety. That energy fuels collaboration and drives innovation.”
By infusing your work with aspects of who you are beyond just the “role” you play, you can unlock new ways of thinking and problem-solving. Rather than shutting down your non-work-related interests, see them as sources of inspiration that help you think outside the box. Mag’s example of balancing her artistic passions with her business career shows that creativity flourishes when we stop trying to fit into narrow, predefined boxes.
Creating the Right Environment for Creativity
For creativity to truly flourish, individuals need to be in the right mindset—and organizations must create environments that support this. Sometimes, a temporary shift in focus—like a hackathon, creative sprint, or even an unconventional brainstorming session—can be exactly what’s needed to spark innovative thinking.
As Mag highlighted, when you’re in a space where the pressure is off and there’s room for experimentation, you can bypass the rational, critical mind and tap into the more intuitive, creative one. Both are important, but they have different roles to play at different times. Sometimes, using a physical tool—like Play-Doh, Legos, or even a fidget toy—can help loosen up the mind and encourage new ways of thinking.
In these environments, you feel alert, relaxed, and positive–but not stressed. This is when creativity flows most freely—and the possibilities become endless.
The Takeaway
Psychological safety—the belief that it’s okay to take risks, make mistakes, and try new things—is the foundation for unlocking creativity. Creativity is a skill that anyone can develop, whether you’re an engineer, marketer, or leader. By expanding your knowledge base, embracing divergent thinking, and pushing through the BETA comfort of convergent thinking, you tap into your full creative potential.
More importantly, when you bring your whole, authentic self to work, you infuse your ideas and interactions with unique energy, fostering collaboration and driving innovation. So, the next time you face a challenge, remember: the solution is out there. It might not come from the “professional” version of yourself but from the fuller, richer you—the version that draws on everything you know, feel and create.
By creating the right environment for creativity and giving yourself permission to think freely, you can unlock endless opportunities and turn innovative ideas into impactful results.
How To Use Creativity To Drive Success: 4 Strategies To Unlock Innovation was first published on Forbes.
Amy Blankson is the Co-founder and CEO of the Digital Wellness Institute and the bestselling author of The Future of Happiness. A graduate of Harvard and the Yale School of Management, she’s the only person to receive a Point of Light award from two US Presidents.
Amy is also a member of the UN Global Happiness Council, a Fellow of the World Innovation Organization, a featured professor in Oprah’s happiness e-course, and a regular contributor to Forbes. Amy serves on the AI for Human Flourishing Council at Harvard. Her current work focuses on how to cultivate happiness and well-being in the digital era.
