Creativity in Meetings

Meetings – Love ‘em or hate ‘em.

On one hand, they can be great for collaboration, decision-making, and alignment.

On the other hand, they can be awful for gobbling up time, bogging down participants with routine discussions and listening to waffle.

The truth is they are here to stay both in person and on teams – and your career will depend on how you perform in Meetings. You need to present yourself and your contents fabulously well and contribute to others with insight, enthusiasm and ideas.

In essence, you must add value and earn you seat at the table. One of the best ways to do this is through good creative thinking.

The challenge of accessing your creative thinking in real time is huge, especially when you need it most. However,  with the right mindset and strategies, you can do it.

Here’s how…… I learnt most of them the hard way, when I’ve been asked in Meetings – “Charles, have you got any good Creative ideas that could help?”

The Power of Preparation:

Creativity doesn't always happen on command, especially in the pressure-cooker environment of an important meeting. That’s why preparation is key.

Get your creative thinking in before the meeting. BOOM

Firstly, don’t just skim the agenda or the pre-reading. Dive deep and do your Creative Thinking before hand.

You’ll never get to where you need to be creatively, if you skim read.

Secondly, ask yourself is this paper for information, for debate or for discussion.

If it is for information read it and put it down. If for debate or discussion then get creative and  allow yourself to explore ideas beyond the words on the page. Let your mind wander. Ask yourself, What if? Could we?

This kind of open-ended questioning helps you tap into your creative zone.

Even if the agenda seems rigid, you’ll find opportunities to introduce your creative thoughts, especially when others are focused on more linear, System 1 thinking.

System 1 vs. System 2 Thinking.

System 1 thinking is fast, instinctive, and emotional. It’s the kind of thinking we rely on for quick decisions and routine tasks - 2+2=4. System 2 thinking, on the other hand, is slower, more deliberate, and analytical. Most meetings naturally gravitate towards System 1 thinking, because it’s safe, efficient and familiar.

Use the Systems 1 time in meetings (when people are stating and re-stating the bleeding obvious….) to do your creative thinking. Because, creativity thrives in the space where System 2 thinking begins, not systems 1.

To capitalise on this, you must pay attention to when the conversation in a meeting becomes predictable—when people start using System 1 thinking. This is your cue to shift gears. Start inwardly questioning assumptions, making connections, and exploring alternative viewpoints.

One way to do this is to look for patterns or gaps in what’s being discussed. Is there a point that’s being overlooked? Is there an assumption everyone is taking for granted? These moments are golden opportunities for creativity. By challenging the status quo, you introduce fresh perspectives that can lead to innovative solutions.

Strategy 1: The Power of the Pause

In meetings, silence is a powerful tool. When discussions move quickly, it's easy to get caught up in the momentum and get swept along with the surface flow. But creativity often needs a moment to breathe. The next time an idea sparks in your mind during a meeting, resist the urge to speak immediately. Instead, take a brief pause.

Use this pause to let your mind explore the idea. Consider its implications, how it might be received, and how it fits into the broader conversation. This pause doesn't have to be long—just a few seconds can make a difference. When you do share your idea, it will be more refined and impactful.

Here’s how to make the most of this strategy to enhance your creativity:

• Pause Before Speaking: When an idea comes to you, take a few seconds to pause before sharing it. Use this moment to mentally refine your thought.
• Consider the Bigger Picture: During the pause, think about how your idea fits into the broader discussion. Reflect on its potential impact and how it might be received by others.
• Speak with Confidence: After the pause, present your idea with confidence. The brief moment of reflection will help you articulate your thoughts more clearly and persuasively.
• Beware: Timing is everything, don’t pause too long because the moment might pass or a decision has been made before you get a chance to speak.

Strategy 2: The Power of Visualisation

Visualisation is a potent technique for unlocking creativity in meetings. Before the meeting, take a few moments to visualise different ways that something might play out – what direction will it take. Picture yourself in the meeting, actively contributing innovative ideas. Imagine how the conversation might unfold and how you could steer it in a more creative direction.

Don’t over think it, but also don’t under think it.

Visualisation primes your brain for creative thinking. It’s like a mental rehearsal that prepares you for the real performance. When the meeting happens, your mind is already in a creative flexible mode, ready to generate and share new ideas.

Here’s how to make the most of this strategy to enhance your creativity:

• Pre-Visualise the Meeting: Before the meeting, spend a few minutes visualising potential scenarios and how you might contribute creatively to the discussion.
• Engage in Mental dexterity: During the meeting, use the reactions to the ideas to spark new ideas. Get in the flow, Beware of zoning out, you need to stay ‘present’ in the meeting
• Visualise Alternative Approaches: If an idea is presented, visualise how it could be adapted, expanded, or applied differently. Share these applied alternatives to introduce fresh perspectives.

Strategy 3: The Power of the Question

Questions are your creative buddy. Good ones open doors to new possibilities and push the boundaries of conventional thinking. In meetings, don’t hesitate to ask questions that challenge the status quo or dive deeper into an idea.

For example, if someone suggests a new delivery strategy, you might ask, "What’s the most unexpected outcome that could come from this?" or "How could we apply this idea to Customer Service?" These kinds of questions can disrupt linear thinking and lead to creative breakthroughs.

Here’s how to make the most of this strategy to enhance your creativity:

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Pose questions that encourage exploration and don’t have a simple yes or no answer. This opens up the conversation to new ideas.
• Challenge Assumptions: Use questions to challenge the assumptions underlying a discussion. This can lead to creative solutions that others might not have considered.
• Encourage Collaborative Thinking: Ask questions that invite others to build on your ideas or explore different perspectives

Strategy 4: The Power of Breaks

In the midst of a busy meeting, breaks might seem like just a brief respite to grab a cup of coffee or stretch your legs. However, these moments are more than just downtime—they’re opportunities to recharge your creative energy.

Lunch, tea, and coffee breaks offer a unique chance to shift your focus and give your mind a rest from the structured discussions happening in the meeting room. When you step away from the meeting environment, your brain has the freedom to process information in the background, often leading to unexpected insights and ideas.

Here’s how to make the most of these breaks to enhance your creativity:

• Disconnect from the Meeting: During breaks, resist the urge to continue thinking about the meeting or checking your work emails. Instead, use this time to disconnect completely. Take a walk (Yes – it works), or simply enjoy your tea or coffee in silence. This mental break allows your subconscious to work on the problems at hand, often leading to fresh ideas when you return.
• Engage in Casual Conversations: Breaks are a great time for informal chats with colleagues. These casual conversations can spark new ideas that don’t come up during the formal meeting. Usually, the most creative ideas come from these unplanned interactions.
• Reflect and Regroup: Use the break to quickly reflect on what’s been discussed so far. Consider what ideas you’ve had, what’s been said by others, and where there might be gaps. This reflection can help you regroup and refocus, ready to introduce new ideas when the meeting resumes.
• Re-energize with a Creative Boost: Sometimes, a break can be the perfect moment to engage in a quick creative activity. Whether it’s doodling, jotting down random ideas, or even looking out the window, these small actions can reignite your creative spark. When you return to the meeting, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to contribute new ideas.

Be a good Chairperson.

If you want a meeting to be Creative, it will not happen – it’s not something you can force. You need to allow it to happen – allow it by being brave.

If the ideas are flowing, let them flow, because that will provide more value than sticking to the agenda.

If the ideas are not flowing, mix it up, change the agenda and think of how you can use some of the above four strategies.

If you need creative ideas to solve a sticky problem. Divide the time in the agenda into two - A walking session and a discussion session. Ask the attendees to form pairs and tell them to go for a walk together and come up with some creative ideas to solve X or Y issue. Then come back and discuss them as a team.

Finally. 

Remember - By preparing thoughtfully, leveraging your System 2 thinking, and employing strategies like the power of the pause, visualisation, and questioning, you can bring creativity into your meetings.

Remember - It’s easier for creativity to thrive in a meeting if it has the right time, space and environment. All of these are within your gift – if you want creative meetings make sure they are in place. If you don’t, then expect a slow dripping tap of ideas.

You might not transform your meetings into a creative swimming pool, but at least you’ll have enough to enjoy a little paddle.

💥CTA – Don’t accept Groundhog day meetings. Challenge yourself to make your meetings more creative. They will be more productive, more fun and more valuable.