The Power of Imagination in Today’s Workplace

I continue to be deeply inspired by the ingenuity of the human spirit—especially as I reflect on how far we’ve come since the early days of the pandemic. In 2020, companies around the world were forced to reinvent themselves overnight. Some shifted the way they delivered products and services; others created entirely new offerings to meet urgent needs. Restaurants pivoted to delivery models. Manufacturers retooled production lines to make PPE. Entire industries adapted under pressure, fueled by creativity, resilience, and an unwavering determination to serve.

What those moments revealed—then and now—is this: when we choose to look beyond fear and focus on possibility, innovation follows. Imagination isn’t just a creative exercise. It’s a leadership strategy. And today, in a world that continues to shift and evolve, tapping into imagination isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for staying relevant, resilient, and human-centered.

So the question becomes: how do we intentionally harness the power of imagination to strengthen our culture and future-proof our organizations?

Imagination Thrives When Leaders Create the Conditions for It

As leaders, we play a critical role in shaping environments where creativity can flourish. Our teams have incredible ideas. The challenge is rarely if they can imagine better ways—but whether they’re given the time, permission, and support to explore those possibilities.

To cultivate imagination in the workplace, we must commit to providing it with three key things:

1. Structure & Space

Imagination needs a place to land. That could mean dedicating physical space for brainstorming or simply carving out intentional time on the calendar for creative exploration. Whether it’s a “no-agenda” team meeting or a quiet block each week for big-picture thinking, structure ensures that imagination doesn’t get lost in the noise of busy work.

By offering space, leaders are not only encouraging creative thinking—they’re signaling that it’s valued and necessary. This clarity fosters confidence and keeps innovation aligned with business goals.

2. Nourishment

Creativity can’t thrive in a vacuum. It needs fuel.

This might be as simple as encouraging collaboration over coffee or snacks, or as strategic as hosting cross-functional “idea jams.” Sometimes, nourishment is about emotional support—recognizing and affirming contributions, regardless of whether they lead to an immediate breakthrough.

Nourishment also comes in the form of community. When people feel psychologically safe, seen, and celebrated, they’re far more likely to take creative risks. And that’s when the magic happens.

3. Courage

The act of imagining something new is inherently vulnerable. It requires stepping into the unknown and risking failure. As leaders, we must normalize failure as part of the process—and create a culture where trying, falling, and learning is not just accepted but applauded.

Imagination grows stronger through trial and error. The more we encourage our teams to take risks, the more confident they become in their ability to innovate and adapt. Courage is the bridge between a bold idea and meaningful change.

The Invitation: Make Space for the Possible

In a business landscape still shaped by rapid change and uncertainty, one thing remains true: imagination is the pathway to resilience, innovation, and growth. It’s time we stop treating it as an afterthought and start treating it as strategy.

Let’s be the kind of leaders who not only encourage imagination—but actively create the conditions for it to thrive.

Dream on!
- Kip Hollister