Making Space for the Magic

Creativity gets a lot of buzz, especially in workplace settings. Everyone wants it, talks about it, and wishes for it like it's a rare gem hidden deep within the mines of “brainstorming sessions” and “team synergy.” But if we’re honest, creativity is less about being struck by lightning and more about making space for the magic to happen.

So, let’s talk about creativity at work—not the mythical kind where someone gets a "eureka" moment and solves everything in one swoop, but the real, gritty, wonderfully human kind that happens when people feel safe, curious, and maybe just a little bold.

The Vulnerability Beneath Creativity

Here’s the part we don’t often acknowledge: creativity can be terrifying. It asks us to put something out into the world that might not be good, polished, or even well-received. It forces us to confront that little voice in the back of our heads whispering, “What if they laugh at you? What if you’re not good enough?”

I saw this recently with my 9-year-old. We were sitting at the table drawing together. I followed a guide and managed to create a dragon that turned out surprisingly well. He, on the other hand, struggled with his drawing, and I could see the shield go up instantly. He declared, “I’m terrible at art,” and pushed his paper away. He was comparing his drawing to mine, and the gap felt so big to him that he didn’t want to try anymore.

That’s the vulnerability of creativity—it’s scary to put ourselves out there, especially when we feel like we’re being judged (by others or ourselves). And honestly? That’s a huge part of why team projects or group brainstorms can feel so dreaded. No one wants to be the one who throws out the “bad idea” or fumbles with a suggestion that falls flat.

To help my son, I had to model the vulnerable creativity I wanted him to embrace. I tried harder drawings, laughed at my own mistakes (kindly and without self-belittling), and talked openly about how practice matters more than being perfect. It wasn’t about the dragon anymore—it was about showing him that trying is worth it.

This lesson applies to workplaces, too. If we want creativity to thrive, we have to normalize the feeling of vulnerability that comes with it. We need to be okay with fumbling, failing, and figuring it out.

Creativity Thrives in Messy, Brave Spaces

Workplaces aren’t always set up for messy or brave. We love polished outcomes, tight deadlines, and efficiency, which are, frankly, not creativity’s best friends. Creativity is more of a meanderer than a sprinter. It likes to take its time, ask too many questions, and occasionally wander off-track. So, if you want to bring creativity into your organization, you have to create a culture where the mess is not just tolerated but celebrated.

The Ingredients for Everyday Creativity

Fostering creativity isn’t about hiring the “right kind of people” (spoiler: everyone has the capacity for creativity). It’s about creating the right environment. Here are three simple but powerful ways to make creativity part of your organization’s DNA:

Build Psychological Safety
Creativity can’t happen if people are afraid to speak up, experiment, or fail. Leaders have to model vulnerability—admitting when they don’t have all the answers, asking for feedback, and valuing input from every level of the organization. When people know it’s okay to take risks, they’re much more likely to bring their full, creative selves to the table.
Ask Better Questions
Sometimes, the best ideas come not from answers but from great questions. Shift away from “How can we fix this?” to “What’s possible here?” or “What’s one thing we haven’t tried yet?” Invite curiosity, not just solutions.
Prioritize Play and Rest
It might sound counterintuitive, but over-scheduling kills creativity. Innovation thrives when people have time to think, connect dots, and let their minds wander. Encourage breaks, side projects, or even a little silliness in the workday. Play fuels innovation.

The Brilliance of Collective Creativity

When creativity becomes a shared practice, it shifts from being something that only “special” people do to a collective muscle that strengthens over time. And that’s where the magic really happens. A creative workplace is one where everyone feels empowered to contribute, collaborate, and co-create.

So, whether you’re leading a team, part of one, or building an organization from scratch (hi, fellow entrepreneurs!), remember this: creativity doesn’t need perfection or permission. It just needs a space to breathe. Let’s make that space, together.

4 Easy Ways to Incorporate Creativity Into Your Workplace Today

Ready to get started? Here are four simple ideas you can try right now to invite more creativity into your workday:

Start Meetings with a "What If" Question
Instead of diving straight into business as usual, kick off your next meeting with a playful “What if?” question. It could be related to a work challenge or something totally random like, “What if our team lived in space for a year? How would we solve problems differently?” It loosens up the brain and gets people thinking expansively.
Make Space for Doodle Time
Set out blank paper, sticky notes, or even digital sketch tools during brainstorming sessions. Let people draw out ideas instead of just talking about them. Visual thinking can unlock creative problem-solving in ways words can’t.
Host a Mini "Show and Tell"
Ask team members to bring in something that inspires them—a book, a song, a photo—and share why. It’s a fun way to connect, spark new ideas, and see things from different perspectives.
Create a “Fail Wall”
Dedicate a space (physical or digital) where people can share their experiments that didn’t go as planned but taught them something valuable. Celebrate these moments as stepping stones to innovation and normalize the idea that failure is part of the process.

Creativity At Work