From birth, through education, and into our careers, boundaries are set in our lives—sometimes self-imposed but often defined by others. Boundaries, rules, constraints, and guidance are different ways of telling us to “stay in our lane” and keep within the scope of our work. While these concepts may seem restrictive, I’ve found that they can actually be a catalyst for creativity. How can we use these limits as a springboard for innovation?
But First, What is Creativity?
Creativity is not just about sketching a portrait or knitting a sweater. It’s about stretching your mind. Like any skill, it requires practice. Throughout my career, I’ve often heard that constraints stifle creativity. However, I believe the opposite can be true. Let’s focus on creativity in the workplace and how we can harness constraints to drive innovation.
Unlocking Creativity in Your Work
No matter how clearly defined a project may seem, there's always room for creativity. Deliverables often allow for flexibility, even if there’s a specific end goal. For me, working within these boundaries has been a powerful motivator to think creatively and deliver innovative solutions. In fact, constraints have pushed me to learn, grow, and refine my approach.
I encourage you to embrace the limits set for you. Instead of seeing them as obstacles, think of them as frameworks that challenge you to find creative solutions. By doing this, you can exceed expectations and deliver value in ways you hadn’t imagined.
Be Curious
Curiosity is a driving force for creativity. In my experience, finding areas within your work that offer opportunities for learning, practicing, and innovating can lead to new discoveries.
When faced with a new software or process, explore how others are using it. Watch tutorials, research unconventional use cases, and consider how these tools can solve your problems in ways you hadn’t thought of. Applying new ideas to familiar tasks can lead to improved outcomes and more efficient workflows—all within the boundaries of your role.
Share your Creativity
Once you start thinking creatively, it becomes contagious! Sharing your creative solutions can inspire others. The challenges you’ve solved are likely not unique to your team—others may be facing the same problems, and your innovations could be a game-changer for them.
As a leader
Leaders play a crucial role in fostering creativity. Encourage your team to try new solutions and collaborate on innovative approaches. Providing support and promoting creative thinking can empower your team to push boundaries and achieve greater success. You may even try applying this practice in your own work to lead by example.
As a teammate
Proposing new ideas at work can be intimidating, but strong communities of practice and supportive relationships make a huge difference. By building a culture of openness and sharing, everyone can benefit from creative thinking.
Stretch Your Limits
Within the confinements of your job descriptions, defined deliverables, or working assignments, stretching yourself to your own limits will help to expand on what is being asked of you. Start with questions like “How can I stand out?” “What will make this different?” These questions will spark your imagination and help you bring those ideas to life.
When beginning a new piece of work, I often analyze the work in a simple way. This may look like an outline or simple powerpoint presentation. Then, I question how this can be displayed to convey the important points or content on the page differently than I have done in the past. This is the perfect opportunity to experiment and challenge your skills in a new way.
Aggressively seeking out different paths than others and even your past self will undoubtedly improve the quality of your work and push you beyond your limits whether it’s expanding on your own work or spreading your wings and putting yourself out there to assist others. This will guide you in the direction of increased learning opportunities and becoming more and more creative over time.
Break Out of Your Routine
Routine can stifle creativity, so it’s important to break out of it whenever possible. Get out from behind your desk. Take advantage of opportunities like MeetUps, networking events, or even a simple change in environment to spark new ideas.
If you can’t step away from your desk, look for inspiration online. LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for discovering fresh perspectives and learning from others’ experiences. Read blog posts, connect with colleagues, and see how their insights might inspire you.
Sometimes, the best ideas come from unexpected places. That movie you watched or the podcast you listened to might offer a new angle for tackling a work challenge. Just living your life can provide you with experiences that can influence your professional creativity in surprising ways.
Make It Happen
While we all have deadlines to meet and deliverables to complete, the way we approach our work can make all the difference. Although we can’t always change the constraints we’re given, we can control how we navigate them. By drawing inspiration from everyday life, breaking free from routine, and embracing challenges, we can transform the boundaries that once felt limiting into tools for creative growth.
