May 20, 2025
Episode 139: How Creativity Unlocks Better Teamwork & Problem Solving with Jamie Woolf
In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane Groeneveld interviews Jamie Woolf, co-founder and CEO of Creativity Partners, to talk about how creativity, play, and a little bit of spaciousness can transform how teams connect and problem-solve.
Jamie shares stories from her decades-long career in organizational psychology, including her time shaping Pixar’s creative culture, and explains how creative tools like crayons, watercolors, and storytelling are helping even the most buttoned-up teams work better together. Jamie shares how teams can “check in” with each other creatively, how companies like Pixar create a culture of fun and focus, and how leaders can introduce these practices in high-stakes environments without sacrificing productivity.
Whether you want a stronger team or are looking to bring more humanity and connection into your workplace, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what makes teams thrive
How Creativity Unlocks Better Teamwork & Problem Solving with Jamie Woolf
Guest Bio
Jamie Woolf brings decades of executive coaching and leadership development experience to her role as CEO of Creativity Partners, with a mission of using creative practices to develop extraordinary leaders. She spent 12 years at Pixar Animation Studio as the first Director of Culture.
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork
01:33 Meet Jamie Woolf: Creativity and Leadership Expert
02:49 The Power of Creativity in Team Dynamics
04:05 The Importance of Play and Spaciousness
06:52 Integrating Creativity in Business Practices
14:23 Addressing Team Conflicts and Root Causes
19:34 Building Trust and Connection Post-Layoffs
22:52 The Importance of Building Relationships
24:22 Creative Check-In Tools for Leaders
27:05 Visual Conversations and Their Impact
29:16 Integrating Creativity in Business Meetings
31:34 Creativity as Problem Solving
38:00 Storytelling in Business
44:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Podcasts Mentioned in the Episode
Alex Draper: https://thefutureofteamwork.com/episode-122-care-to-win-building-high-performing-teams-with-alex-draper/
Jenny Wood: https://thefutureofteamwork.com/episode-32-jenny-wood/
Maggie Jackson: https://thefutureofteamwork.com/episode-131-how-uncertainty-improves-teamwork-with-maggie-jackson/
Maria Scarangella: https://thefutureofteamwork.com/1290-2/
Oscar Trimboli: https://thefutureofteamwork.com/episode-138-how-the-5-levels-of-listening-shape-team-performance-and-leadership-with-oscar-trimboli/
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