Rethinking Innovation: The Human Element We Forgot | Cherish | Deviate
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Rethinking Innovation: The Human Element We Forgot
I find that people often treat creativity, innovation, and resilience as technical skills — things we can master through process and willpower. But underneath it all lies something more fundamental: our ability to play. We learn, adapt, and grow most when we do it through play.
As children, play is how we explore the world — testing ideas, stretching limits, and learning to imagine and recover from mistakes. Then adulthood arrives, and we start believing play is unproductive. We trade curiosity for control, imagination for efficiency, joy for achievement.
But play isn’t the opposite of work. It’s the energy that makes meaningful work possible — and it’s why play is a key part of the GLAS Method®, helping people approach growth, challenge, and change with curiosity and creativity instead of fear.
The greatest threat to creativity and growth is fear — fear of failing, of being judged, of losing control. Fear narrows our vision and shuts down the parts of the brain responsible for creative thought. When fear dominates, we stop exploring. We stop learning.
Playfulness and joy may sound like luxuries or nonsense in a serious world — but they’re actually strategic tools for anyone who wants to lead, learn, or create with impact.
Play sparks innovation. It invites curiosity and discovery.
Joy builds resilience. It helps us recover and stay connected to purpose.
Play nurtures trust. It creates safety to try, fail, and try again.
Joy deepens engagement. It fuels authenticity and energy.
When we bring play into our work and relationships, fear loosens its grip. We see more clearly, take bolder steps, and rediscover the joy that first drew us to what we do.
Play brings us back to possibility. Joy reconnects us to purpose.
ENERGY
Focusing on an emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Cherish
Cherish is a beautiful word - and meaning. It originates from Latin word CARUS "dear, costly, beloved".
We cherish things - and people - that we value.
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
Playful Hour
Set aside one hour to do something just for fun — no goals, no pressure.
Play with a new idea, experiment, dance, or do something creative just because it feels good. Notice how it changes your energy and thinking.
If you have a team report to you - you could even try this for the whole team; invite everyone to explore ideas freely — no agenda, no wrong answers.
Try brainstorming, prototyping, or solving a fun challenge just for curiosity’s sake.
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“What would I change for me if I allowed joy to lead instead of fear?”
Allow your mind to wander and contemplate this question fully. Where you do feel you’re holding fear at the moment? How would this change if you replaced fear with joy - or playfulness?
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition, my gratitude or to be celebrated.
Unexpected Little Wins
Not every victory needs to be a big one! Sometimes it’s finding a parking space just when you need it, or finding a bag-for-life hidden in the back of the car ready for an unexpected grocery run.
These tiny, ordinary wins are moments that remind us life is moving with us, not against us. This week I want to shout out these unexpected little wins.
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If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.
LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis.
I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:
L: what have you learned?
E: what’s your energy / feeling word
A: what’s one thing you need to do?
P: what are you thinking / processing?
S: who or what can you shout out?
