What Experts Say Leaders Must Do Now

You’ve seen it happen. A project that had potential suddenly runs out of steam. No one raises new ideas. People stick to what’s been done before. The team is smart, capable, even enthusiastic—but the energy to explore new directions is missing.

What’s holding them back isn’t a lack of intelligence. It’s the absence of creative momentum—momentum that begins with curiosity. Curiosity is the mindset that prompts teams to ask better questions, spot new connections, and challenge outdated assumptions. It’s the drive behind the exploratory thinking that fuels original ideas and meaningful change.

After speaking with some of the world’s most innovative thinkers, one thing became clear: Creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It grows out of environments where curiosity is welcomed, encouraged, and modeled by leaders who know how to spark that first step toward something new.

How Can Leaders Redefine Creativity To Unlock Performance?

Natalie Nixon, a creativity strategist and author of The Creativity Leap and the more recent Invisible Work, told me that creativity is our ability to toggle between wonder and rigor to solve problems and deliver novel value. She defines it as a blend of improvisation, intuition, and inquiry—skills leaders can develop and apply intentionally.

This framework reshapes how teams approach their work. Leaders who give space for exploration—through questions, reflection, and cross-disciplinary thinking—create more opportunities for breakthrough ideas. Creativity becomes something practiced, not passively awaited.

When teams are encouraged to pause, observe, and connect seemingly unrelated inputs, they begin to identify patterns and propose fresh approaches. This kind of deep thinking may not be visible on a daily task list, but it’s essential for solving complex challenges. Leaders who support these behaviors lay the foundation for sustainable innovation.

How Do Everyday Habits Fuel Creativity?

Josh Linkner, a tech entrepreneur, jazz guitarist, and author of Big Little Breakthroughs, told me that creativity is not reserved for a few inspired geniuses—it’s a skill that anyone can build through small, daily actions. He emphasized that by consistently practicing creative problem-solving, leaders can foster cultures where innovation becomes routine rather than rare.

In our conversation, he stressed that creativity is most powerful when it’s repeatable. Small ideas—what he calls “big little breakthroughs”—create momentum and build confidence in teams. When those ideas are tested and iterated over time, they can lead to major transformations.

Leaders who make space for experimentation, recognize effort (not just outcomes), and invite diverse thinking are the ones who see creativity thrive. Creativity thrives when leaders build a rhythm of curiosity, feedback, and action—regardless of timing or conditions.

How Does Creativity Strengthen Decision-Making?

Roger Martin, strategy advisor and author of A New Way to Think, told me that curiosity is essential to strategic innovation. In our conversation, he emphasized the importance of asking, “What would have to be true?” as a way to explore possibilities without rushing to judgment. This question reframes decision-making. Instead of defaulting to what seems likely, it invites leaders to suspend assumptions and work backward from a desired outcome. That process requires creativity—especially in environments where pressure to choose quickly can stifle exploration.

By applying integrative thinking and encouraging teams to consider options beyond the obvious, leaders increase their chances of uncovering innovative solutions. Creativity, in this view, becomes a method for surfacing insights others might overlook.

How Does Curiosity Drive Creativity And Success?

Guy Kawasaki, former Chief Evangelist at Apple and currently Chief Evangelist at Canva, shared that curiosity—not confidence—has been the driving force in his career. During our conversation, he told me that he approaches every project as a learning opportunity, not a platform to showcase expertise. This mindset keeps leaders agile. Instead of assuming they have all the answers, curious leaders seek out new ideas, listen deeply, and adapt. That kind of humility builds stronger teams and opens the door to more creative outcomes.

Curiosity also shifts how people communicate. When leaders model a genuine interest in others’ perspectives, it sets a tone of psychological safety. People speak up, challenge assumptions, and collaborate more openly—all key ingredients in a creative workplace.

Where Can Leaders Apply Creativity More Effectively?

John Couch, Apple’s first VP of Education and author of Rewiring Education, spoke to me about how creativity can—and must—flourish in structured environments like schools and regulated industries. He explained that traditional systems often suppress the innate curiosity and creative potential we all start with. In our interview, he emphasized that memorization and rigid rules can diminish learning and engagement. But by encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and shifting how success is measured, leaders can revive creativity where it’s most needed. When environments are redesigned to value exploration, the result is better problem-solving and more meaningful participation.

What Do Creativity-Focused Leaders Do Differently?

Larry Robertson, innovation advisor and author of Rebel Leadership, spoke with me about how leaders navigate ambiguity by creating cultures of curiosity and learning. He emphasized that great leaders don’t try to control uncertainty—they create environments where teams can thrive within it. That openness can shift how people interact. Instead of holding back or deferring to authority, team members begin to ask more questions, offer new ideas, and support each other’s exploration. When leaders normalize this kind of creative exchange, it gradually becomes part of how work gets done.

Organizations that embrace ambiguity often discover more flexible ways of working. Creativity becomes a shared responsibility, not just a top-down directive. The result is a team that learns faster, adapts better, and contributes more fully to long-term innovation.

Why Curiosity Is The Spark Behind Creativity

After interviewing dozens of experts on creativity and curiosity, I asked each of them the same question: Which comes first? The answer was always the same—curiosity.

Curiosity is the beginning of the creative process—it’s what gives creativity direction and purpose. That insight matters for leaders. Creativity may be the outcome we seek, but curiosity is what gets us there. It’s the willingness to ask questions, to challenge what’s always been done, and to explore without having all the answers.

When leaders nurture curiosity—both in themselves and in their teams—they lay the groundwork for creative breakthroughs. Creating a culture of creativity doesn’t start with brainstorming sessions or innovation labs. It starts with making curiosity safe. When people feel encouraged to ask why, explore what if, and test how, creativity follows.

Leaders who understand this aren’t relying on spontaneous bursts of inspiration—they’re focused on building environments where curiosity can thrive consistently, giving creativity a place to grow.