Leading innovation today isn’t about doing more—it’s about making smarter choices.

Committing to innovation may feel bold, but it’s often the easy part. The data is clear: innovation boosts revenue, increases ROI, drives employee engagement, and energizes culture. The challenge lies not in doing something new—but in having the discipline to stop doing the things that don’t move the needle.

In today’s climate, where everyone’s calendar is jammed and workloads feel heavier than ever, it’s tempting to shelve innovation for “when we have more time.” But let’s be honest: that magical window never opens on its own.

When your team is stretched thin, no one’s raising their hand to say, “We finished early—what else can we work on?” That’s not laziness—it’s burnout. The answer isn’t to demand more. It’s to create space by setting clearer priorities.

In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, it’s easy to lose touch with the sense of curiosity and excitement that once fueled our work. Between back-to-back meetings, endless digital notifications, and the pressure to “do more with less,” our innovative spark can fade without us even noticing.

But here’s the truth: That creative spirit isn’t gone—it’s just buried under the noise. And it’s within your power to bring it back.

Here are three ways to help you reconnect with your sense of purpose, play, and possibility that will help to ignite your innovative spirit:

1. Rediscover Your “Why” in a Sea of “What” and “How”

Burnout and disconnection often stem from a loss of purpose. Reconnecting with the mission—your own or your team’s—can bring clarity and motivation. 

Whether you’re working remotely or onsite, ask yourself: Why does my work matter? Who am I helping? Revisit your organization’s mission and explore how your role connects to it.

Better yet—talk with your team about your shared purpose. Write it down. Post it somewhere visible. Remind yourself daily of the bigger picture.

Welcome to your quick-start guide for Take Over Time—a fast, fun, and powerful innovation tool designed to help you break free from stale thinking and spark fresh ideas. Learn how to shift your perspective by thinking like someone else—whether it’s another company or even a fictional character—to uncover bold new solutions to your toughest challenges. Let’s dive in and get inspired!

Change is happening all around us — and for many teams, it’s happening fast. While change can drive growth, it can also create stress, confusion, and dips in performance if not managed well. As a leader, your role is key in helping your team stay focused, confident, and resilient.

Below are four practical tips to support your team through times of transition and conveniently they align perfectly with the Blue Card. Remember Blue Card isn’t just for project strategy. 

1. Explain the “Why”

Don’t just tell your team what to do — explain why it matters. Understanding the reason builds trust and increases commitment.

This video introduces you to Mind Mapping, a creativity and problem-solving technique that mimics the brain’s natural way of forming connections to generate innovative ideas. It starts with a central idea, expands through branching prompts, and encourages free associations to uncover non-obvious solutions.

We all know that stimulus fuels the brain, setting off a chain reaction of idea associations and creations that will bring new thoughts and ideas to life.

Sometimes when looking at a challenge we need a reminder about ways we can help ourselves think differently about a business or personal challenge:

1. Mix Up Your Inputs:

Explore books, newsletters, music, and conversations beyond your usual domain. Seek perspectives that challenge your assumptions and push you out of your comfort zone. Look both within and beyond your industry for emerging trends—what patterns connect different fields? How do innovations in one area spark breakthroughs in another? One of my personal favorites is The Non-Obvious Insights Newsletter. 

A Spark Deck is a presentation of your and your team’s most interesting stimulus-mining findings designed to trigger ideas during a create, strategy activation, or problem-solving session. During this short video, you will learn tips for mastering spark decks.