A recent Fast Company article featured Steve Nash of our very own Phoenix Suns and his thoughts on what he does off the court – something at 35 he’s keenly aware will matter quite a bit more in the short-term. A key strategy of his business plan? Creativity.

As a change-junkie, I find creativity and innovation energizing as opposed to intimidating as many others do. But, I’ll admit that oftentimes the creative shifts are coming out of a situation that is stagnant, not a situation that is uncertain (which is where many of us are finding ourselves these days).

Our most recent Olson Academy (periodic education sessions held for our team) featured a creativity workshop. From it, I took the following – many of which were underscored in the article:

• Change the game, and the player. When being creative, we are typically not only limited by what we “think is possible” but also by what we think our manager, client, company wants to see. Strip away all the boundaries.
• Think, but don’t overthink. You should and do have the time to be thoughtful. Breathe before execution. However, don’t get too tangled in the details or you may never move forward.
• Ignore the experts. If you want to be a leader, lead. If you don’t, then follow the experts who tell you how to be innovative. As Nash’s Dad says, “Fortune favors the brave.” Get out in front and go for it.
• Creativity exists in many places. Creativity doesn’t mean you need to hire graffiti artists to spray paint the Golden Gate Bridge with your new logo. Unexpected headlines, a new way to contact a reporter, and bringing vendors into a brainstorming session can all be powerful ways to flex your creativity muscle without breaking the bank.

In the face of chaos, it seems that creativity can be a slam dunk. What are your tips for deploying creativity?