Stop waiting, feel ready: 3 lessons to unlock creativity today

Jess Ekstrom, founder of Mic Drop Workshop and author of "Making It Without Losing It," identifies the deferral of creativity as a widespread issue hindering organizational performance. Ekstrom, who has studied the neuroscience behind this phenomenon, shared three key insights with leaders regarding unlocking creativity. She posits that many individuals treat creativity as a reward, contingent upon achieving major milestones or waiting for leisure time, rather than an ongoing practice. This perspective, Ekstrom argues, is not a personal failing but an "epidemic" that significantly impacts productivity and innovation within organizations. Her research suggests that by reframing creativity as an accessible and continuous process, leaders can foster a more innovative environment and improve overall business outcomes. The insights aim to help leaders overcome the tendency to postpone creative engagement, thereby enhancing their teams' capacity for innovation and problem-solving on a daily basis. Ekstrom's work emphasizes the practical application of creative thinking in professional settings, moving beyond the notion of creativity as an exclusive talent or a future reward.