Creativity 101: Everyone Is Creative
Somewhere along the way, many of us absorbed a false belief: that creativity is a rare trait reserved for artists, designers, or the one person in the office who color-codes everything and has an impressive pen collection.
But here’s the truth that changes everything:
Everyone is creative.
Not some people.
Not “the creative team.”
Everyone.
Creativity isn’t a talent: it’s a human function. It’s problem-solving, connection-building, meaning-making, and the ability to imagine something better than what exists today. If you’ve ever found a workaround, rethought a routine, or made someone’s day with a clever twist, congratulations: you’re creative.
Where Creativity Really Lives
Most people think creativity starts in brainstorms or idea labs.
Actually, it starts in the everyday.
Creativity is the server who finds a smoother greeting script.
It’s the paralegal who redesigns a chaotic email process.
It’s the manager who turns a dry update meeting into a moment of motivation.
It’s the leader who asks, “What if we tried it this way?”
Creativity happens quietly, constantly, and often without applause.
But it’s happening in every role, at every level, all the time.
The Real Barriers to Creativity
The problem isn’t that people aren’t creative.
It’s that they don’t feel creative.
Why? Because of invisible blockers like:
Perfectionism: “What if it’s wrong?”
Past criticism: “Remember when your idea got shut down?”
Fear of judgment: “People will think this is silly.”
Overwhelm: “I don’t have time to think differently.”
Lack of psychological safety: “It’s safer to stay quiet.”
When creativity feels risky, people stop sharing, experimenting, and imagining.
And that’s a cultural issue, not an individual one.
How to Build Cultures Where Creativity Thrives
Good news: creativity can be activated, supported, and scaled.
Here’s how leaders (and teams) can make that happen.
1. Celebrate Small Sparks
Not every idea needs to be a home run. Praise the attempt, not just the result.
2. Create “Play Spaces”
Give teams protected time to explore, tinker, and daydream without deliverables attached.
3. Make Curiosity a Job Requirement
Ask more questions. Reward those who challenge assumptions.
4. Lower the Stakes
Make ideation casual, not high-pressure. Post-its over PowerPoints. Conversation over performance.
5. Build Psychological Safety
If people fear being dismissed or embarrassed, creativity shuts down.
Create spaces where every voice is welcome, even the wild ones. Especially the wild ones.
6. Bring in New Stimuli
Field trips, guest speakers, cross-functional swaps, creative exercises: new inputs create new ideas.
Why Creativity Matters in Every Industry
Creativity isn’t about making things “cute.”
It’s about making things better.
In sales teams, creativity drives client experience and future-ready thinking.
In hospitality, it turns service into storytelling.
In corporate environments, it fuels innovation and problem-solving.
In leadership, it inspires people, builds trust, and opens new paths forward.
Creativity is the difference between surviving and evolving.
Your Creativity Is Already There. Let’s Unlock It!
At Little Birdie, I’ve seen this truth across industries and teams:
When people believe they’re creative, they become braver, more engaged, and more collaborative. They shift from “How do I get through the day?” to “What can I create today?”
Creativity is not a special skill. It’s a mindset.
It’s not about being artsy.
It’s about being open.
It’s about seeing possibility.
It’s about noticing the little sparks that can shape something extraordinary.
