4 Ways to Generate Creative Solutions at Work
Cathie Leimbach • July 9, 2024
In today's dynamic workplaces, innovation and creativity are essential for overcoming challenges and driving success. Here are four effective strategies to foster creative problem-solving and generate innovative solutions. By incorporating these approaches, teams can tap into their collective creativity, leading to breakthrough ideas and improved outcomes.
- Playing 'What If' Games: Encourage brainstorming sessions where team members freely explore hypothetical scenarios. By asking "What if" questions, such as "What if we had unlimited resources?" or "What if we approached this problem from a different angle?" new perspectives and innovative solutions can emerge.
- Considering General and Specific Ideas: Encourage thinking both broadly and narrowly when generating solutions. Start with broad, general ideas and then drill down into specific details. This approach allows for the exploration of various possibilities while also ensuring practicality and feasibility.
- Making Wish Lists: Have team members create wish lists of ideal solutions without constraints. This exercise encourages thinking outside the box and helps uncover innovative ideas that may not have been considered otherwise. Once the wish list is compiled, identify common themes or elements that can be incorporated into practical solutions.
- Approaching the Problem from Someone Else's Perspective: Encourage team members to step into the shoes of different stakeholders or even fictional characters to gain fresh insights into the problem. By considering the problem from various perspectives, new ideas and solutions can emerge, leading to more creative and effective outcomes.
By incorporating these approaches, teams can tap into their collective creativity, leading to breakthrough ideas and improved outcomes.
As the New Year approaches, it’s a natural time to look forward and ask what you want the next chapter to bring. One simple way to reflect to ask yourself three questions to create a stronger year ahead, what should you: Stop?, Continue?, and Start? Stop focusing energy on habits, meetings, or expectations that no longer serve you or your team. This might mean letting go of outdated processes, unnecessary urgency, or ways of working that drain momentum without adding value. Continue the practices that helped you gain traction this year. Think about what worked—perhaps clear communication, strong collaboration, consistent follow-through, or time spent developing people. These are the behaviors worth protecting and reinforcing. Start being intentional about what will move you forward in 2026. This could include setting clearer priorities, investing in leadership development, building healthier team rhythms, or creating space for innovation and growth. Taking time to reflect now helps you enter the New Year with purpose rather than pressure. Small, thoughtful shifts can create meaningful impact over time. Ready to turn reflection into action? 👉 View our Stop • Continue • Start Worksheet for a simple, practical way to reset priorities, build on what’s working, and step into 2026 with clarity and momentum.
As the year comes to a close, it’s worth pausing to ask a simple question: What brought you joy this year at work and in life? Joy doesn’t always arrive in big, headline moments. Often, it shows up quietly—in meaningful conversations, shared laughter, progress made, lessons learned, or the steady presence of people who support us. Sometimes joy is found in growth, sometimes in rest, and sometimes in simply getting through a challenging season with resilience and grace. Take a few minutes to reflect. What moments made you smile? When did you feel most connected? For what are you grateful? This reflection isn’t about ignoring the hard parts of the year. It’s about honoring the bright spots that sustained you through them. Recognizing joy helps us close the year with perspective and open the next one with hope. As the holidays approach, give yourself permission to slow down, savor meaningful moments, and share joy with others—through kindness, gratitude, and presence. May this season be filled with moments that lift your spirit, and may you carry that joy with you into the year ahead. 👉 Take a moment to pause this season—view the Reflecting on Joy one-pager and reflect on what brought meaning to your work and life this year. Wishing you a truly joy-filled Christmas season .