Most people think of magical thinking as irrational, something to be left behind in childhood. But neuroscience tells a different story.
Our brains are wired to connect patterns, create meaning through storytelling, and imagine possibilities beyond what we see in front of us. In a world where workplaces are obsessed with data, logic, and efficiency, we often overlook the power of imagination in solving complex problems.
What if embracing a little more "magic" – the kind that allows us to think beyond constraints, see patterns where others don’t, and create compelling narratives – was the key to unlocking workplace innovation?
Let’s break down how the brain naturally leans into imaginative thinking, why creativity fuels high-performing teams, and how leaders can tap into these cognitive processes to inspire engagement and motivation.
The human brain is not a machine built for pure logic – it’s a pattern-seeking storyteller. From an evolutionary standpoint, our survival depended on our ability to connect dots quickly, whether it was recognising a predator’s movement or finding meaning in shifting weather patterns.
That same instinct still drives us today, especially in how we approach problem-solving at work:
Ignoring these processes in favour of pure logic limits creativity, making workplaces rigid and uninspired.
Creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s a workplace superpower. Teams that embrace imaginative thinking outperform those that rely solely on rigid logic. Here’s why:
So why do so many workplaces stifle imagination and creativity? Fear.
The fear of looking foolish, the fear of failure, the fear of uncertainty.
And that’s where leadership plays a critical role.
Most leaders talk about wanting more innovation, but fail to create an environment where it can actually happen. If you want a team that thinks beyond the obvious, leaders need to:
Fear of failure shuts down creativity. When leaders model curiosity, such as seeing failures as part of the discovery process rather than something to be punished, they create a culture where people take more meaningful risks.
Encouraging teams to explore unlikely connections, future possibilities, and seemingly impractical ideas builds a culture where people feel empowered to push boundaries. The best leaders ask open-ended, expansive questions instead of demanding immediate solutions.
Teams only tap into their most creative thinking when they feel safe to express unconventional ideas without judgment. This is where Brave Conversations come in. Brave Conversations provide teams with the tools to challenge norms, rethink outdated practices, and create space for big ideas to take shape.
At Habitus, we know that groundbreaking ideas don’t come from playing it safe. If you want true innovation, you need teams that feel psychologically safe, inspired, and encouraged to push the limits of what’s possible.
The best teams don’t just solve problems; they reimagine what’s possible. If your workplace is stuck in logic-only mode, it’s time to create space for imagination to thrive.
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