Meeting Topic

Creativity in Business – Paula Kerslake

Introduction

Creativity in business is about the ability to generate new ideas, think outside the box, and find unique solutions to problems. This creative thinking can lead to the development of new products, services, streamline operations, reduce costs and enhance overall business performance.

Why is creativity vital in business? Why is creativity and innovation important to business success?  By Paula Kerslake

In business, creative thinking is the ability to explore different possibilities to come up with new innovative ideas that can help you overcome challenges and achieve goals.

Creative people have the courage to express a unique idea or approach. They tend to encourage out-of-the-box thinking when working with others. Through creative thinking teams can see challenges as opportunities to problem solve and innovate.

Many workplaces had to rely on creative thinking during the previous Covid 19 lockdowns. Hospitality and Retail stores had to close for long periods of time. Creative thinking was vital and the ability to pivot from how things were always done to a new way of doing things. People had to look at things from a new & different perspective to find solutions to continue trading. Some restaurants changed to ‘takeaway only’. Business organisations staff had to work from home so with creative thinking workers connected via virtual meetings and digital collaboration platforms. There was surge in online Supermarket shopping. Online shopping has continued to evolve to include a delivery service of groceries now delivered within an hour.

Thinking creatively makes you a better problem-solver which has benefits in both your work and personal life.

There are some great strategies to encourage creative thinking in your workplace. Here are a few:

1. Create a Supportive Environment:
   • Encourage open communication and make it clear that all ideas are welcome.
   • Celebrate creative work and recognise contributions, even if they don’t lead to immediate success.
2. Diverse Teams:
   • Build teams with diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives. Different points of view can encourage new ideas and approaches.
3. Provide Space for Creativity and Brainstorming sessions
   • Allocate time for brainstorming sessions and creative thinking.
   • Use digital collaboration platforms where people can brainstorm, share their ideas and collaborate on projects with tools such as mind maps, flowcharts and workflows.
   • Create physical spaces that inspire creativity, such as comfortable lounges or dedicated breakout rooms.
4. Training and Resources:
   • Provide access to workshops, courses, and resources that promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
   • Encourage employees to attend conferences and seminars to gain new ideas, inspiration and networking.
5. Be a Leader
   • Demonstrate creative thinking in your own work and decision-making processes.
   • Be open to new ideas and be willing to try out-of-the-box thinking

By implementing these strategies, you can create a workplace that values creativity, continuously evolves, stays relevant, and achieves lasting success. How do you currently encourage creativity in your business?

In conclusion, thinking creatively is about being open-minded, curious, and willing to take risks. It’s about challenging assumptions and exploring new possibilities. By adopting this mindset, we can unlock our full potential and make a positive impact in our personal and professional lives.

Paula is the Director at Paula Kerslake Art. Check out Paula’s website www.paulakerslake.com

Next Meeting Topic

The Space Between Us and Our Potential – Josette Owen

Did you know the leaders who perform best aren’t always the most talented?
They’re the ones who reduce the noise…

Running a business—is both exhilarating and exhausting. We feel the amazing freedom of shaping our own path, and we also feel how daunting it is to carry so much responsibility alone.

When I launched Elevate Leadership nearly two years ago, it was a long-held dream finally realised. But it took a tough moment—my corporate role being disestablished—to give me the push I needed. If I had to sum up that first year: wild, scary, and exhilarating.

That mix of emotions is familiar to many of the executives I coach. We have so much potential, yet often feel weighed down by self-doubt, comparison, or unhelpful habits. I’ve been there too.

That’s why I return often to a simple formula:

Performance = Potential – Interference
(Timothy Gallwey, The Inner Game of Tennis, 1974)

If we want to increase performance, we have two levers:

1. Unlock more of our potential.
2. Reduce interference.

The most common interference? Ourselves. That inner critic. The endless noise in our heads:

• “Am I really ready for this?” (self-doubt)
• “I’ll just tweak it once more.” (perfectionism)
• “Everyone else is ahead of me.” (comparison)

For me, it’s overthinking. The form differs, but the impact is the same: our energy is drained, our potential muffled.

Clearing the Noise

The good news. Reducing interference isn’t about doing more. It’s about gently removing what’s in the way so our potential can breathe.

Some practices I use myself and with leaders I coach:

1. Name it to tame it
   When a thought pops up, ask: “Is this a fact or a feeling?” Naming it—creates space to respond differently.
2. Simplify focus
   What is the 1 thing that truly matters today? Choosing 1 meaningful action cuts through noise – Momentum builds motivation.
3. Reset rituals
   Journaling has been a lifeline for me. Looking back on entries shows growth I couldn’t see in the moment. Small resets—like walking or box breathing—also clear clutter.
4. Play to our strengths
   Gallup research shows people who use their strengths daily are 6x more engaged and 3x more likely to report a better quality of life. Leaning into what we naturally do best helps quiet the noise and focus on impact.

Questions to Ask Ourselves

• What’s getting in the way of me showing up at my best right now?
• If I trusted my capability fully, what would I do differently?
• How would I act if I already believed this would succeed?

Final Thought

We already carry the potential. Performance rises when interference falls.

My first year in business reinforced this truth: courage creates confidence.

Each time I cleared the noise and backed myself, clarity and momentum followed.

I’m an Executive Coach, working with leaders to identify strengths, unlock potential, and help them deliver better results. If you’d like to explore your strengths, I’d love to chat: josette@elevateleadership.co.nz

Josette Owen – CEO & Founder – Executive & Organisational Coach – Elevate Leadership

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