At work, I have noticed that people often talk about wanting things to change. Sometimes the frustration is with a difficult process or an unhelpful manager. Sometimes it is a team member who is not collaborating. But what stands out to me is that very few people actually try to break out of these situations. I have fallen into this trap too. And then, when appraisal season comes around, someone always says, “Think outside the box if you want to move ahead.” It sounds good, but no one explains how to actually do it.
We tend to follow the same old patterns and routines. Most of us approach work in a straight line. But when you look at real innovation, it comes from people who are willing to ask different questions and take new paths.
This brings me to the main question. Can we learn to be more creative? Or is creativity something you either have or you do not?
After years of working with teams, managers, and leaders, I believe creativity is not just a gift. It is a skill. And just like any other skill, you can practice it, improve it, and bring it out in others.
Why Creativity Matters at Work
Table of Contents
A recent World Economic Forum report put creativity among the top three skills needed for the future of work. With constant change and uncertainty, those who think creatively have an advantage.
Creativity is not just for artists and designers. It is for every professional who faces new challenges, changing markets, and the need to solve problems in better ways. I have seen creativity in engineers, salespeople, operations staff, and customer support teams. Everyone can contribute something original if they are given the right opportunity.
Nature or Nurture? Where Creativity Comes From
Some people say creativity is in your DNA. Others say it comes from your upbringing, your education, or your workplace culture. I believe it is both. Some people are more naturally inclined to take creative leaps, but I have seen time and again that the right environment and habits can bring out creativity in almost anyone.
So the more helpful question is, what can we do to help people become more creative at work?
Ten Ways to Learn and Practice Creativity
Based on my personal experience and the best advice from learning and development experts, here are ten practical ways to grow creativity for yourself and your team.
1. Give Kind and Useful Feedback
If you want people to be creative, you need to give them feedback that helps them try new things. Too often, feedback at work is just about fixing mistakes. If you want to encourage creative thinking, give regular feedback that highlights effort, new attempts, and different approaches. When mistakes happen, treat them as opportunities to learn.
Here is a resource on how learning through a self-paced course enabled leaders to give constructive feedback, driving employee performance that explores this idea further.
2. Use Experiential Learning
People do not learn to be creative by just reading about it. You have to try, experiment, and experience new things. Experiential learning programs are powerful tools for helping teams unlock their creative abilities.
Our Spark Your Creativity program is built on this approach. Teams work through hands-on challenges that stretch their thinking and allow them to discover new solutions in a safe environment.
3. Make Space for Play
One thing I have learned is that play and creativity go hand in hand. Some of my best ideas have come from playful brainstorming sessions, team-building games, or even just casual conversations over coffee. When people relax and have fun, they are more open to sharing wild ideas.
If you want to try this, Creative Cadence is a great way to bring creative play into your next team meeting or offsite.
4. Prioritize Rest and Reflection
Sometimes the best ideas come when you are away from your desk. Encourage your team to take breaks, meditate, walk, or just sit quietly with a cup of tea. I have found that space and stillness are often what allow new connections to form in the mind.
As leaders, we should model this ourselves. It is not just about working hard. It is also about giving ourselves time to recharge and reflect.
5. Match Work With Motivation
People do their best creative work when they care about what they are doing. Find out what excites your team members. Let them take on projects that match their interests and strengths.
Carl Jung once said, “The creative mind plays with the object it loves.” If you want people to innovate, let them play to their strengths.
Read more about helping employees find their true potential and aligning strengths with work that matters.
6. Practice Creativity Every Week
You would not expect someone to run a marathon without training. Creativity is similar. Set aside time each week for your team to try something new, take on a mini-project, or join a creative workshop. The more you practice, the easier it gets to see new possibilities and make bold moves.
7. Value Diversity of Thought
Creative teams have a mix of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. Bring together people who see the world differently. Encourage open debate. Let people challenge assumptions and bring new ideas to the table.
If you want to explore this more, our Managing Diversity programs are a good resource.
8. Celebrate Effort and Learning
The most creative workplaces I have seen are those that celebrate effort, not just results. They recognize when people try something new, even if it does not work out perfectly. When people see that it is safe to take risks, they become more willing to experiment.
Share stories of small wins and lessons learned from things that did not go as planned. This builds a culture of learning, not just achievement.
9. Make Creativity a Habit
You do not need an innovation day once a year. Make creativity part of the daily routine. Start meetings with a creative question or a short brainstorming session. Ask, “What did you learn this week?” or “What new approach have you tried recently?”
When creativity becomes a habit, it stops feeling like an extra task and becomes part of how your team works.
10. Use Technology to Spark Ideas
There are many tools today that make it easy to share and develop ideas. Use online whiteboards, brainstorming apps, and virtual meetings to gather input from everyone. Schedule digital “creativity hours” where people can share and build on each other’s thoughts.
My Own Experience
I once worked with a team that struggled to come up with fresh ideas. After three months of combining feedback sessions, hands-on workshops, and regular play breaks, I saw a big change. People became more confident, shared more openly, and actually started to enjoy tackling tough problems. Many told me it was the first time they had seen themselves as creative.
The Biggest Challenge
If I had to pick one thing that blocks creativity in the workplace, it is being too busy. When every hour is packed with urgent tasks, there is no room for thinking differently or trying something new. As leaders, we need to protect time for curiosity and new ideas. That is how real change happens.
If you want to get started, look into programs like Spark Your Creativity or Creative Cadence. These are practical ways to unlock your team’s creative energy.
Final Thoughts
Creativity is not a rare trait. It is a workplace skill that you can learn, teach, and improve. The most innovative organizations are those where feedback is supportive, play is encouraged, and mistakes are seen as chances to grow.
What small step can you take today to encourage more creativity at work? Sometimes it just takes asking a new question, listening to a fresh idea, or giving someone the freedom to experiment.
Let us stop wondering if we can be more creative. Let us start practicing and growing together.
