From Stick Figures to Breakthroughs: Unlocking Creativity in Business
When I used to think about creativity, I would always think back to my grade three painting that I entered in the school fete competition. In my mind, I equated creativity with art. I told myself, “Art = creativity,” and since I was never particularly ‘arty,’ thus I wasn’t a creative person.
My drawings were stick figure-ish, my pottery was always a bit lopsided, and even my recent attempts at ‘paint by numbers’ as an adult never quite turned out ‘right.’ For a long time, I didn’t consider myself creative at all.
But over time, I realised creativity is so much more than ‘visual art.’
It’s a way of thinking 🧠, a process, an opportunity to solve problems, and a way of approaching challenges with fresh ideas. In business, creativity is a vital tool that fuels innovation 🚀, builds resilience, and helps you find solutions that set you apart.
Here’s how you can unlock creativity and make it work for your business.
1. Redefine Creativity 🌟
Creativity isn’t just about artistic skills—it’s about changing the story you tell yourself about what creativity really is. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, creativity is “the ability to produce original and unusual ideas, or to make something new or imaginative.”
In other words, creativity is about finding new ways to approach challenges. Whether it’s brainstorming a better process, crafting a compelling message, or designing a new system, creativity is present in all aspects of business. Recognising this helps you embrace creativity as a skill you already possess.
2. Embrace Curiosity 🤔
Curiosity is the foundation of creativity. Asking questions like “Why?” or “What if?” can lead to innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. By staying curious, you open yourself to exploring new possibilities and discovering solutions you might not have considered before.
In one of my roles, a colleague and I became known as the “Why people,” constantly questioning why things were done a certain way and whether they could be improved. While it may have driven some people nuts, it led to meaningful changes and better results.
3. Make Space for Ideas 🕰️
Creativity doesn’t thrive in a packed schedule. Giving yourself time to reflect, brainstorm, or simply daydream allows ideas to flow more freely. Some of my best ideas have come to me while I was doing something unrelated to work—like taking a walk in nature 🌿 or even a moment in the shower 🚿. These quiet moments allow your mind to connect the dots in ways it can’t when it’s overloaded with tasks.
4. Use Creativity to Solve Problems 🛠️
Creativity often shines brightest when applied to problem-solving. It’s about looking at challenges from a different angle and exploring unconventional solutions.
I once watched a documentary about child golf prodigies, and a technique they used stuck with me: when things weren’t working, they’d change everything—what they ate for breakfast, what they wore, their routines. It was a reminder that sometimes shaking things up can lead to breakthroughs.
5. Collaborate with Others 🤝
Sharing ideas with others is a powerful way to spark creativity. Different perspectives can help you see challenges in a new light and lead to solutions you wouldn’t have found on your own.
When I’m stuck on a problem, I often reach out to mentors or peers. It’s like having someone point out a smudge of pen on your face—you’ve been walking around with it all day, but they help you see what’s obvious to everyone else.
Collaboration fosters innovation and helps ideas grow.
6. Trust the Process 🥖
Creativity isn’t always instant. Sometimes it takes time for ideas to develop, and that’s okay. Over the Christmas break, I decided to try baking baguettes from scratch. It was a process: mixing, kneading, letting it rise, squishing it back down, letting it rise again, and so on. It took hours, and the baguettes came out a little lopsided, but they tasted amazing. That’s the key—trust the process, keep working the dough, and let your ideas develop step by step.
In Summary: Creativity Is an Asset Everyone Possesses
Creativity is so much more than being a 'artist'— and we are all artists in our own unique way each and every day we are creating our own masterpiece.
Life requires us to think differently and find unique ways to solve problems on a daily basis.
In business, whether you’re working on a project, refining a process, or tackling a challenge, taking a creative approach helps you achieve your goals and stand out in your industry.
Unlocking creativity in business starts with redefining what it means for you, staying curious, and making space for new ideas.
It’s a skill you already possess, and the more you use it, the more powerful it becomes.
Ready to Unlock Your Creative Potential in Business?
Book your FREE Becoming Your Own Business Boss Blueprint Session.
Together, we’ll explore creative ways to grow your business and turn your ideas into action.
P.S. By the way, somehow, I managed to score a prize for that school fete painting—even with no artistic ability! 🖌️
P.P.S. And yes, the stick figure above… is definitely a Katrina original. What do you think?
