 Leaders, defined as the ability to develop something with utility that is novel. Creativity is as much of a determining factor in the success of leaders as it is for professional artists, educators or entrepreneurs. In the dynamic, unpredictable nature of today's work, it is vital for leaders to look outside of routine practices as well as beyond-known best practices in order to develop courses of actions that will address these new complex problems. In his book Upshift, Turning Pressures into Performance and Crisis into Creativity, Ben Ramalingam explains that creativity is a skill that can be strengthened when practiced and that it is key to innovating and problem-solving under stress. A few ways to build the neurological pathways associated with increasing creativity includes practicing pattern recognition, asking questions that challenge assumptions, and brainstorming with others to enhance conversion thinking skills. For example, ask yourself and members of your team to think of all the different uses for a coffee mug, an ironing board, a fishing pole or any other common object, intentionally forcing your mind to think differently even about simple and common items within low stress, low risk environments, helps build creative thinking capacity and efficiency. How will you foster creative thinking for yourself and your team within the everyday environment? Lead well this week.