How matters. 

The Innovative Mind at Work is a podcast that centers on creative process for people in social settings. Whether at home or in the work place, the ongoing quality of interactions matter. This is why I got into studying creativity. Simply put, I wanted to become a better problem solver in my relationships at home. When I learned creativity is a skillset for shaping solutions, well that changed everything.

There are many definitions of creativity - too many perhaps to really pin it down. Within the very word ‘creativity’ is ‘create,’ a verb; ‘creative,’ an adjective; and ‘creativity,’ a noun. No wonder it’s confusing; defining creativity is unleashing the imagination set within all kinds of contraints. 

Its not so much thinking outside the box as it is thinking differently inside the box that really matters.  

The Innovative Mind @ Work podcast follows the experience of organizational transformation for creative leadership. 

Far too many people think creativity is reserved for artists. Like they deserve all the credit. Truly, the only difference between artists and the rest of us is that artists have the guts to pursue outcomes with abandon- poducts, performances, and works of art for the sheer love of it. 

I am right there with Will Gompertz, Director at the Barbican Centre in London who encourages us to think like artists. Sure artists make creative products and we generally don't. But that's missing the point entirely. 

Engaging in creativity is applying universal skills to complex problem solving universally. Learning creative process is literally as practical as it gets for learning and yearning for something new. 

Artists and entrepreneurs are masters at creative process.  Say we become copy cats.  We could probably learn a thing or two about resolve, getting it done by approaching it differently. Creative process for problem solving is a thing. Creativity precedes innovation. Everyone is creative. Period. And, everyone can become more creative. Explanation point. 

Now you know. 

What could possibly be a better metaphor than bridging research with practice? 

Rainier Welding is the largest bridge building company in the state of Washington. The Innovative Mind @ Work literaly connects the domain knowlege of engineering with domain knowledge and skillset for innovation in the work place. 

The innovative mind at work. Learn to Lean In and Lead. 

Dr Tanya Knudsen 

Creative Leadership
+1.206.960.3594

Episode #1  Assessing the Situation 

Creative Collaboration Is Changing the Way We Work 

At Rainier Welding, a steel company in the Pacific Northwest, something remarkable happened. It didn’t begin with a strategy memo or a top-down directive. It began with a different kind of meeting, one that put independence, curiosity, and creativity at the forefront.

And the results? In our first podcast, business owner Kent Schluter said  what the team did differently was amazing.  “It changes the way I interact with the team.” And significantly, “Never have I heard someone say, When’s the next meeting? Until now.”

What changed?

We blended a creative problem-solving process with business. Right from the first session, something shifted. The team leaned in. They started building ideas together adding, refining, evolving in real time. Energy and intellect were unlocked. People felt heard. They led.

Suddenly, the meeting wasn’t a chore. It was a catalyst.

Engagement Drives Profitability

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about fluffy team-building. It’s about creating a structure that harnesses diverse thinking, invites contribution, and drives results. When people engage, they take ownership. When they take ownership, they innovate. And when they innovate, businesses grow.

Higher engagement is not just a morale boost. It’s a profitability driver.

Diagnosing Before Deciding What to do Next. 

Too often, businesses solve for symptoms instead of diagnosing the root cause. Real creative problem-solving starts with questions, not answers.

We diagnose with a classic tool from journalism: the 5 Ws and an H: Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How to guide open exploration. It’s simple, powerful, and inclusive. The team doesn’t feel burdened by it. On the contrary. They’re energized by being invited in.

This opened approach builds a culture where collaboration is the norm, not the exception. Ideas are co-owned, and therefore stronger. Decision-making becomes more grounded. People feel safe sharing unpolished thoughts because they know they’ll be built upon—not dismissed.

Navigating Complexity with Curiosity

Every business faces complexity and ambiguity. The key isn’t to eliminate it; it’s to navigate it well. And that requires a team that’s empowered to think, question, and contribute.

When you shift from a top-down model to one where diagnosis and collaboration come first, meetings become dynamic. Teams get smarter. Problems become opportunities. And yes, people start looking forward to the next meeting.

The Bottom Line

• Creative Problem Solving can start anywhere. And it’s a cohesive soup-to-nuts framework for resolving complex challenges.

• Independence fuels engagement.

• Engagement drives profitability.

• Collaboration builds a resilient business.

Want to change the energy in your company? Start by changing how you gather, ask, and solve.

Learn to lean in and lead with your team for better results. 

www.theinnovativeminatwork.com

tanya@theinnovativemindatwork.com

LinkedIn

+1.206.960.3594