“I define creativity as the ability to have an idea. Everyone has a thousand ideas a day. I define innovation as the ability to get the idea done.”
Creativity is not bound by job titles. It thrives where it is allowed to breathe. Duncan Wardle spent over 25 years at Disney, including as former Head of Innovation and Creativity. He believes creativity and innovation are within everyone’s reach, you just have to let them happen.
Duncan turned his concept of creativity into a toolkit, making it accessible to every level of an organization. This approach reminds me of my time at Disney. Creating an environment where everyone’s ideas mattered was key. One of the ways to create innovation in leadership roles was by connecting with frontline workers. Their proximity to real challenges can spark truly innovative solutions.
One of the things I appreciate about Duncan is how he has shown time and time again that unorthodox ideas can drive extraordinary outcomes. Duncan’s story of sending Buzz Lightyear into space with the help of NASA is a great example. It wasn’t just a publicity gimmick. It was a way of showing that creativity paired with bold execution can create stories that capture the imagination of millions.
Today there are a lot of companies grappling with dynamic changes, especially in the post-pandemic world. That is why it is so important to integrate creativity, intuition, and empathy into the very fabric of our organizational cultures. Like Duncan, let’s make sure every member of a team feels as though they can make a meaningful impact, allowing a fresh culture of innovation to emerge. Everyday magic is created when is invited to the dream-building process.
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Noteable Moments
00:00 Career Built on Audacious Ideas
04:57 NASA Sends Buzz Lightyear to Space
06:46 Toolkit for Post-Pandemic Innovation
09:41 Future-Proof Skills Include Creativity & Empathy
19:35 Empathy Insights from Frontline Workers
23:03 Transformative Workshop Experiences