In uncertain and turbulent times when stress levels are high, it can be tricky to tap into the creativity needed to come up with new thinking and ideas.

In such challenging situations, business success increasingly relies on the creative energy of both leaders and their teams. Creative energy is the ability to look at a problem with fresh eyes and bring something new into play.

In unpredictable times, it’s natural for humans to seek more stability and control, but this can restrict our ability to think differently and creatively.

If the problem we face is simple and straightforward, control may be the way to solve it. However, if problems are unusual and complex, it will be creativity and fresh thinking that will help you generate the best solution.

So, how do you build and sustain the creativity energy in your team?

The starting place is to have creative energy within yourself as the leader, building a personal bank of inspiration and being mindful of the world around you. As Paul Smith, the fashion designer, famously said “You can find inspiration in everything.” Reflect on where you draw inspiration from, where you pause from routine to intentionally observe and examine what you surround yourself with.

Building creative energy at the team level isn’t always about big changes. Small but consistent actions will combine to make a creative impact.

Teams with creative energy are consistently encouraged by their leader to ask big questions, to confidently share insights and ideas , to explore radical solutions together and to embrace the uncertainty as new thinking and ideas emerge from their conversations.

In today’s complex and fast changing business landscape, nurturing creative energy within teams and tapping into their collective creative potential are key leadership skills to learn and master.