4 Brutal Mistakes That Killed My Team’s Creativity (and How We Finally Broke Free)
DISCLAIMER
As we journey together, I aim to use my own story to highlight where I’ve screwed up (and screwed up was an Olympic sport; call me Shelly Biles. I’m permitting you to laugh at my pain, but don’t get carried away because there is a mirror with your face on it. — Oh, and I’ve changed the names to protect the innocent.
Have you ever been in a brainstorming session stuck in the mud? You know the feeling—ideas are barely trickling in, energy is low, and no one seems to have anything fresh to add. You’re sitting there, trying to spark some magic, but it’s not happening. The vibe is off, and the creativity is nowhere to be found. (Before you resort to over-caffeinating your team OR worse… keep reading)
We’ve all been there. It’s frustrating, right? You want your team to come alive with ideas, to throw out bold, innovative solutions. Instead, you’re met with awkward silence or the same recycled concepts that go nowhere. But here’s the real kicker: it might not be them. The problem could be in the environment you’re creating.
Sound familiar? Let’s talk about the four brutal mistakes that killed my team’s creativity—and how teams I’ve led finally broke free.
1. I was leading from someone else’s playbook.
Leadership is equal parts art and science. There are four ways around every rule. Outstanding leadership is about reading the individual and applying the theory appropriately (or throwing them entirely out). Read my words: THERE IS NO ONE SIZE APPROACH TO LEADING PEOPLE. Anyone who disagrees suffers from leadership myopia, lacks exposure, or both. Argue with your mother.
I’ll admit it—sometimes I wasn’t leading authentically. I was following leadership models and methods that weren’t mine but rather what I thought I “should” be doing based on what other leaders were doing. The problem? My team wasn’t built for someone else’s playbook, and neither was I.
How We Fixed It:
I threw out the old, cookie-cutter methods and started leading in a way that aligned with my strengths and vision. I stopped trying to be someone else and embraced a leadership style that gave my team the freedom to work in ways that suited them. We established flexibility and empowerment as core values, which let the team breathe and think more creatively. Suddenly, we weren’t just following a script—we were writing our own.
2. My Lack of Organization Was Creating More Work
I wasn’t just leading creatively—I was also creating chaos. My disorganization meant that projects took longer, mistakes happened more often, and my team spent more time fixing things than creating. The lack of clear structure was draining everyone’s energy, including mine.
How We Fixed It:
I had to be brutally honest with myself—I needed better systems. We brought in a project manager (note: not all PMs are equal—but that’s another blog post) to streamline workflows and improve efficiency. We started setting more realistic deadlines and reduced the constant last-minute curveballs. Suddenly, with clear processes in place, my team had the mental space to focus on what really mattered—creating great work. We were no longer running in circles, putting out fires. Instead, we were pushing the boundaries of our creativity.
3. I Forgot to create for myself
Somewhere along the way, I got so wrapped up in managing the team and executing projects that I forgot what it felt like to create just for me. My creative well had run dry, and when that happens, leading a team to fresh ideas is nearly impossible. I was stuck because I stopped feeding my creativity.
How We Fixed It:
I made a conscious effort to reconnect with my creativity. I carved out time for personal projects, hobbies (Ummm… when did Legos get so expensive?), or just exploring new ideas outside of work. It wasn’t about making something perfect—it was about reigniting my creative spark. And guess what? When I came back into the office, that renewed energy was contagious. My team noticed. We all started to experiment more, take bigger risks, and suddenly, our work had a new depth and excitement to it.
4. I focused on being the Teacher more Than being a Student
My pride led me to believe I always needed to be the expert. My team looked to me for answers, and I started thinking I had to have them all. The problem was, when you stop learning, you stop growing—and so does your team. I wasn’t staying curious, and that stagnated our creative process.
How We Fixed It:
I humbled myself and embraced the mindset of a student again. I sought out new learning opportunities, from industry trends to creative workshops; I muted a lot of IG accounts and started following industry pros, un-related brands, and people who didn’t vote like me (I knew I needed to escape the echo chamber I had gotten used to)… and encouraged my team to do the same. By fostering a culture of curiosity, we were able to open up fresh perspectives and break out of the creative rut we had fallen into. When I started learning again, I found myself inspired in ways I hadn’t been in years—and that inspiration flowed directly into our work.
The Bottom Line
If your team’s creativity feels stuck, the problem might not be with them—it might be with the environment you’re creating. Leadership, organization, and personal creativity play a massive role in unlocking your team’s potential.
Want your team to thrive? Here’s what you need to do: Lead authentically, get organized, reconnect with your creativity, and always stay curious. These shifts will bring your team’s creative energy back to life.
Ready to make it happen? Come back next week for a bit more Irresistible Insights, and we’ll break free from those creative blocks—together.
FREE RESOURCE
Since we don’t gatekeep on Irresistible Insights, check this out:
Don’t go into your next brainstorming session unarmed. Download this super simple brainstorming session planner from our friends over at Hypercontext. Try this before your next session, and let me know if it gets better.