Unlocking Imagination: 8 Creative Catalysts to Get You Started

To Jumpstart Creativity, Try These 8 Prompts

In the age of generative artificial intelligence, human creativity matters more than ever. Most people in business agree that unlocking creativity is critical to economic growth and valuable to society.

Sparking Change with Outrageous Ideas

To jumpstart your own and your team’s creativity, consider specific exercises. If you’re trying to spark change, think about the most outlandish or exaggerated thing you could do. For example, what if you were to completely overhaul your business model overnight? Or, what if you were to violate all the norms and rules you always follow?

Nourishing Creativity with Old Ideas

If you’re looking to nourish an already thriving business, think about bringing back old ideas or reexpressing what you do in different language. Ask yourself: What old ideas can we revive? How can we put a fresh spin on our existing products or services?

Identifying Gaps and Opportunities

Consider what is missing from your or competitive offerings. What gaps are there that need to be filled? And, think about what your enemy would do. What strategies could they employ to gain an edge over you?

Testing Transformation with Quick Execution

To test transformation, see how quickly you can execute on a new initiative. Don’t get bogged down in analysis paralysis – just take action and see where it leads. You can also keep pushing until you reach an idea that scares you.

The Future of Creativity in the Age of AI

As generative artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in business, the key to success for all of us humans will be to delegate our routine work to technology and dedicate ourselves to more creative pursuits. Whether we’re reimagining sales and marketing strategies or generating alternate revenue streams, this is our opportunity to become the people who drive innovation and progress.

Expert Insights

Kathryn Jacob, CEO of Pearl & Dean, and Sue Unerman, global chief strategy officer at Brainlabs, co-authored “A Year of Creativity: 52 Smart Ideas for Boosting Creativity, Innovation, and Inspiration at Work” (Bloomsbury, 2024). They emphasize the importance of creativity in driving economic growth and progress.

Your Turn

What ideas do you have for sparking creativity? Share your thoughts in the comments below!