How to Unlock Creativity at Work (Even If You Think You’re Not Creative)
- Laura Doman
- May 15
- 4 min read
Creativity is the fuel behind innovation, leadership, and problem-solving in the workplace.
Think you’re not creative? Think again. Creativity isn’t just for artists—it's a prized attribute in corporate leaders. It's the vision behind the company and the drive to take it forward into new areas ahead of the competition. It's anticipating what your customers want next, even if they don't realize it themselves.
That's why, contrary to popular opinion, the office is NOT the place where creativity goes to die. Apply creativity to business and you get visionaries and wildly new products, like the iPod and iPhone when they were first introduced. Creativity may lay dormant, but it's within each of us and CAN be stoked and encouraged to burn brightly.
I had the pleasure recently to be a panelist with artists, musicians, film producers, and business consultants on this very topic. The original question was:
How do we bring creativity to the workplace?
Wake it up. Recognize it when you see it. Stoke it. Apply it!
My position is that the workplace is never without creativity. It's not a matter of finding a way to bring creativity IN, it's a way of letting it out. While the other panelists primarily talked about bringing outside interests into their offices to liven things up, I suggested a few ways to lure employee creativity out of hiding. The reception during and after the event was positive enough that I thought to share them with you in this blog.
Creativity is a skill, and like any skill, it can be developed. And it's a muscle. The more it's worked, the stronger it becomes.
Why Most People Think They’re Not Creative — and Why They’re Wrong
The first barrier to creativity is mindset.
Too many people believe that creativity is something you’re born with—or not. That’s simply not true. Creativity is a skill, and like any skill, it can be developed.
We’ve been taught to equate creativity with the arts. But creativity shows up in how you solve problems, structure a spreadsheet, write an email, or lead a meeting. It’s in your questions, your curiosity, and your ability to connect unrelated dots.
What if still seems to be asleep? Here's how to nudge it out of bed:
Nature - take a walk! Get out of your head and enjoy the outdoors.
Rest - some of our best ideas come when we're asleep.
Distraction - walk away from your problem and do something else. Sometimes the solution just sneaks into your brain when you least expect it.
How to Wake Up Your Creativity: 3 Simple Habits
If your creativity feels a little sleepy, don’t worry. Here are three small but mighty habits to coax it out of bed:
Ask “What if…?” regularly. This simple prompt breaks you out of habitual thinking. “What if we pitched this upside-down?” “What if we launched with no budget?” “What if we solved this like a puzzle instead of a problem?”
Change your environment. Even slight shifts—working in a different room, taking a walk during lunch, or adding a plant to your workspace—can jumpstart new ideas.
Embrace imperfection. Creativity dies under pressure to be perfect. Give yourself permission to brainstorm badly, doodle poorly, or write a messy first draft.
How to Recognize Hidden Creativity in Everyday Life
The most overlooked aspect of creativity? It’s already happening around you—you just need to notice it.
A colleague who finds a faster way to handle client onboarding.
A manager who adapts a meeting format to energize the team.
A team member who turns data into a compelling story.
Recognizing and affirming these creative moves builds momentum and morale. You validate that creativity is real, valued, and alive in your culture.
Tools to Fuel Your Creativity at Work and Beyond
Once you begin to spot and awaken creativity, you can actively stoke it. Here are a few tools and techniques to keep the fire going:
Creative software: Explore tools like Canva, Miro, MindMeister, or Notion to visualize your thinking.
Improv techniques: Try “Yes, and…” during brainstorming sessions to build on ideas without judgment.
Daily journaling or voice memos: Jot down one weird or interesting idea per day. You’ll build a personal idea bank.
Cross-training: Encourage learning outside your primary discipline—techies attending a writing workshop, marketers shadowing developers, etc.
Creativity Is Good for Business: Here’s How to Harness It
When employees feel free to be creative, engagement goes up. So does innovation, productivity, and even retention.
Companies that prioritize creativity outperform their competitors in revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and employee morale.
Creativity is not a "nice to have"—it's a business advantage.
Ready to Let Creativity Loose?
Want help bringing more creative confidence into your team or client sessions? I coach professionals to connect with their inner creative and show up more dynamically—on camera and off.
Let’s talk!
Creativity is a skill, and like any skill, it can be developed. And it's a muscle. The more it's worked, the stronger it becomes.
Top 5 Quick Wins to Spark Creativity Today
Take a 10-minute walk in a new environment
Doodle your to-do list
Play a word association game with a colleague
Switch your routine for a day
Ask “What would [insert admired person] do in this situation?”
Creativity isn’t a mystery—it’s a muscle. Start flexing it, and you’ll be surprised how fast it grows.
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I'm Laura Doman, a voice & TV/film actor and video communications coach. As an actor, I create memorable characters that tell my client's stories well, from the friendly CEO to your sassy best gal pal dispensing real-world advice. As a coach, I help you become more comfortable and charismatic on camera in videos, presentations, and online appearances.
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