Creativity: the strengths advantage
Creativity isn’t just about “thinking outside the box”
For product and transformation leaders, it’s the ability to generate novel solutions that actually move the needle
At the senior Head of, Director, General Manager, and C-Suite levels, creativity shows up in very different ways depending on how it’s used or not used
Examples of underuse. A Head of Product who avoids taking creative risks may default to safe incremental updates rather than making bold industry shaping pivots. The result? Teams lose energy and competitors outpace them. A General Manager who underplays creativity might stick to rigid governance models and miss out on opportunities to reframe processes for agility
Examples of optimal use. A Director in Transformation who balance creativity with execution can reimagine a stalled transformation program by introducing strengths based task allocations that re-energise their delivery teams. A Chief Product Officer might design a differentiated go-to-market strategy that blends customer insights with innovative product positioning; sparking both market alignment and measurable outcomes
Examples of overuse: Creativity without discipline can be overwhelming. A Head of Transformation who floods their teams with endless “what if” scenarios risks paralysis. A CEO who constantly reinvents their vision may erode trust, leaving customers, stakeholders, and their teams confused about their priorities
The sweet spot is creativity that inspires whilst staying grounded in the practical reality of tangible outcomes. When product and transformation leaders harness creativity well, they unlock innovation without chaos, and they become both resilient and scalable
Research shows that leaders who know, apply, and maximise their strengths experience higher resilience, stronger influence, and improved performance outcomes. Creativity is just one of the 24 strengths that we explore in The Strengths Advantage
The Strengths Advantage
Book your team into the half-day workshop to unlock collective innovation, or choose the 90-minute 1:1 leader session to sharpen your own creative edge before the holiday break!