Get Those Creative Juices Flowing!
Un_Standard Approach (Without the Eye-Rolls)
Let’s retire the tired advice—no more “just think outside the box” or “go for a walk.” For Un_Standard teams, creativity isn’t a talent; it’s a byproduct of clarity, momentum, and an environment built for movement. Stalled on a campaign, pitch, or strategy? It’s not because your team needs more sticky notes—it’s because you need rituals that free them up to think bolder and act faster.
Step 1: Audit for Clarity—Before You Brainstorm
Real creative breakthroughs happen when you know what you’re solving for. Before your next “idea session,” answer out loud:
- Who are we actually helping right now, and what’s their biggest pain this week?
- Which metric are we trying to move with our next project?
- What’s the ONE obstacle (mindset, habit, or system) most crowding out new ideas?
Clarity isn’t a constraint—it’s jet fuel for your creative fire.
Join The Movement
Step 2: Blow Up Your Usual Flow
Safe sessions kill energy. Invite a little movement-powered chaos.
- Try a new space: Hold your next team brainstorm outside, in the lobby, or via a walking Slack call.
- Change up roles: Let someone from ops or support lead the session.
- Break the format: Ditch the agenda for a round of “worst ideas first”—the more outlandish, the better. Then, challenge the group: “How could this actually work in our arena?”
Step 3: Set Creative Constraints
Opposite of the tired “blue sky” advice, boundaries can actually boost brilliance.
- Give every team member five minutes to pitch a solution without using industry jargon.
- Start with a forbidden word or phrase (e.g., “growth hack,” “best practice,” “innovation”). Any idea pitched using the phrase must be reworked, simplified, or trashed.
- Impose goofy rules: “Today, marketing can only use three slides; sales can only pitch with two questions.” Constraints breed unexpected genius.
Step 4: Tap the “Bottleneck Busters” in the Room
Don’t just invite the usual team—bring in a “movement ally” from a different department, or (even braver) someone who’s brand new or wasn’t in the previous session.
- Have them poke holes, ask “why,” or laugh at the group’s sacred cows.
- Run a 10-minute “build or bust” — teammates try to break each idea. Surviving concepts get traction fast.
Step 5: Celebrate Chaos—Then Turn It Into Action
Every wild idea session should end with two commitments:
- Pick one “crazy” idea you WILL ship or test in the next 30 days.
- Run a mini movement retro: What one ritual, phrase, or system could we improve for next time?
The movement isn’t about endless thought starters. It’s about picking, building, and learning—fast.
Bringing It All Together: The Movement Mindset
- Creativity is clarity in action.
- Silence the loudest voice and listen for the untried.
- Don’t brainstorm for brainstorming’s sake: Build a machine for perpetual springboards.
At Un_Standard, we don’t just spark creativity—we build rituals for clarity that scale into every team’s DNA.
Conclusion
Feeling stuck? Clarity isn’t passive—it’s participatory, messy, and movement-powered. Ready to break the brainstorming rut and move ideas from “maybe someday” to next quarter’s headline?
Book a Movement Clarity Sprint With Un_Standard →
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David Garrard
Agent Provocateur & Chief Creative Officer at Un_Standard. David helps ambitious brands unearth clarity, break the rules that hold them back, and co-create movement-level growth. When not challenging the status quo, he’s in the kitchen inventing new flavors or chasing after his three cats: Hallie Tosis, Lester Een, and Jim G. Vitis. #BeUnStandard
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