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What if creativity is a deliberate choice you can make every day? In this episode, Dr. Craig Dowden sits down with Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, research scientist at Yale University's Center for Emotional Intelligence, to explore the science behind unlocking creative potential. Discover actionable strategies to overcome writer's block, build creative confidence, and foster innovation in any environment.
Why Creativity is a Choice, Not a Fixed Trait
If you've ever thought "I'm just not creative," you're not alone. But here's the truth: creativity isn't a special gift reserved for artists, designers, or innovators. It's a choice anyone can make, backed by solid science. Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, research scientist at Yale University's Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action, challenges one of the biggest myths holding people back from their creative potential.
In our conversation on the Do Good to Lead Well podcast, Zorana reveals that simply asking people to "be creative" actually increases their creative output. That's right, creativity starts with intention, not innate talent. Whether you're struggling with too many ideas or feeling completely stuck, this episode offers research-backed tools to help you make creativity a continuous choice in your work and life.
The modern workplace demands innovation, but most of us weren't taught how to access our creative thinking on command. Leaders, teams, and individuals all face the same challenge: how do you unlock creativity under pressure, tight deadlines, and in environments that seem to stifle it? The answer lies in understanding that creativity is a series of decisions, and learning how to make those decisions effectively changes everything.
Breaking the Myth: Anyone Can Be Creative
One of the most damaging beliefs about creativity is that only certain people, "the creatives", have access to innovative thinking. This myth keeps entire teams from tapping into their potential and creates unnecessary hierarchies in organizations. Zorana's research dismantles this idea completely.
"We think about creativity as a choice that anybody can make. And we know from research that even just asking people to be creative increases the creative output that they produce". This simple shift in mindset—from "I'm not creative" to "I choose to be creative"—opens doors that many people didn't even know existed. -Zorana Pringle
The conversation highlights how creativity isn't reserved for brainstorming sessions or artistic pursuits. It shows up everywhere: in problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and even routine tasks. When you reframe creativity as a choice rather than a trait, you give yourself permission to experiment, fail, and try again without the weight of identity holding you back.
Building Creative Confidence Without a Full Tank
Many people wait to pursue creative projects until they feel "ready" or fully confident. But Zorana offers a different approach: think of creative confidence like fuel in a car. You don't need a full tank to get started, just enough to take the first steps.
This analogy is powerful because it removes the pressure of needing everything figured out before you begin. Creative confidence builds through action, not preparation. As Zorana explains, confidence grows as you engage in the creative process, make progress, and see results. Waiting for perfect conditions or complete certainty means you'll never start.
One practical strategy she shares is adjusting your expectations when facing creative blocks. If you typically write 1,000 words but you're stuck, aim for 200 words instead. The goal is to keep moving forward, even if it's slower than usual. This approach prevents the paralysis that comes from all-or-nothing thinking and keeps momentum alive.
Action steps to build creative confidence:
- Start small: Take one manageable step instead of waiting for the perfect moment
- Reframe blocks as normal: Writer's block and creative frustration are part of the process, not signs of failure
- Adjust self-talk: Replace "I can't do this" with "I'm making progress, even if it's slower than expected"
- Celebrate micro-wins: Acknowledge every bit of forward movement to fuel ongoing confidence
How to Overcome Writer’s Block and Choosing Which Ideas to Pursue
Writer’s blocks are one of the most frustrating experiences for anyone trying to innovate or produce work. But Zorana reframes them in a helpful way: a writer’s block is simply a lack of progress, not a lack of ability. Recognizing this distinction changes how you respond.
Instead of panicking or giving up, acknowledge that blocks are normal and temporary. Adjust your approach, take strategic breaks, and keep showing up. Research shows that taking the right kind of breaks, ones that allow your mind to defocus and wander, can lead to those breakthrough moments we often experience in the shower.
But what about when you have too many ideas and don't know which to pursue? Zorana introduces the concept of problem finding versus problem solving. Successful teams spend more time exploring different perspectives on a problem than brainstorming solutions. Before jumping into execution mode, ask yourself: Am I solving the right problem?
When evaluating which ideas to pursue, Zorana suggests a practical framework:
- Reach out to weak ties (acquaintances, colleagues in different departments) for generating new ideas and perspectives
- Turn to close connections (trusted colleagues, mentors) when evaluating and refining those ideas
- Prioritize ideas that align with your goals and have the potential for meaningful impact
This approach helps you avoid getting stuck in endless brainstorming and moves you toward actionable decisions.
Fostering Innovation in Teams: Psychological Safety and Emotional Leadership
For leaders, one of the most important questions is: How do you create environments where creativity can flourish? The answer lies in psychological safety. But psychological safety is about creating spaces where people can share ideas and concerns without fear of retaliation.
Zorana emphasizes that leaders who acknowledge emotions, rather than suppress them, create more motivated, creative, and innovative teams. Emotions are information. When team members feel frustrated, curious, or excited, those feelings provide valuable clues about what's working and what needs attention.
One powerful insight from the conversation is using frustration as a diagnostic tool for problem finding. Instead of dismissing frustration as negative, ask: What is this emotion telling me about the problem we're trying to solve? This shifts the focus from blame to curiosity and opens pathways for creative solutions.
Even in heavily regulated industries or under tight deadlines, creativity is possible. The key is balancing structure with space for exploration. Teams need clear goals and timelines, but they also need permission to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and experiment with different approaches.
Leadership practices that foster creativity:
- Create psychologically safe environments where ideas can be shared openly
- Acknowledge emotions as valuable information, not distractions
- Use frustration as a tool to identify underlying problems
- Balance deadlines with dedicated time for creative exploration
- Encourage problem finding before problem solving
How to Make Creativity a Continuous Choice
Creativity isn't a talent you're born with or without. It's a decision you make every day to engage differently, ask better questions, and take intentional steps toward innovation. Whether you're an individual contributor, a team leader, or an executive, the strategies shared by Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle offer a roadmap for unlocking your creative potential.
The science is clear: creativity thrives when we choose to engage it, build confidence through action, reframe blocks as part of the process, and create environments where people feel safe to share bold ideas. Age, experience, and knowledge don't diminish creativity, they enhance it. The more you know, the more original connections you can make.
Start small. Choose one strategy from this episode and implement it this week. Whether it's adjusting your self-talk during a creative block, reaching out to a weak tie for fresh perspectives, or simply asking your team how they're feeling about a project, every choice moves you closer to the creative work you're capable of. Your next breakthrough is just one intentional decision away.
Ready to take your creative potential to the next level?
- To get practical tools and actionable tips that will jumpstart your journey, download the Creative Potential Kick Starter Booklet here.
- Join the newsletter to be notified when a new episode is ready for you to listen and get every Kick Starter Booklet for all future episodes.
- And if you’re looking to elevate your entire C-Suite leadership team, learn how Craig Dowden can help your leaders perform at their highest-level visit https://www.craigdowden.com/executive-mastermind
- For a deeper dive, listen to the full-length episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast featuring Wes Adams & Tamara Myles:
Did you like this article on maximizing your creative potential? Does it help you become a better leader? Then check out these articles to help hone those skills even further:
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- Sharing at Work with Craig Dowden: The Science of Sharing at Work: Leadership Lessons for Better Connection, Trust, and Wellbeing
- “Having it All” with Corinne Low: Achieving “Having It All” as a Working Mom: Evidence-Based Insights from Corinne Low
- Curious Leadership: The Power of Curious Leadership: Todd Kashdan's Revolutionary Approach to Self-Leadership and Principled Dissent
- Uncertainty: Turning Uncertainty into Advantage: Scott Stirrett’s Leadership Blueprint
- Group Dynamics: Unlocking Team Success with Colin Fisher’s Insights on Group Dynamics and Positive Leadership
- Noticing and Hearing in the Workplace: The Importance of Noticing and Hearing in the Workplace with Zach Mercurio
- Leading with Purpose: Core Qualities and Practices for Positive, Inclusive Leadership with Angela Bonfant
- Leadership in Uncertain Times with Elizabeth Weingarten: How Questions, Vulnerability, and Community Fuel Leadership in Uncertain Times with Elizabeth Weingarten
Craig Dowden
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