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Infusing Your Business with Creativity and Innovation By Marty Maciaszek NSGA Director of Communications Creativity and innovation should be an inspiration and not a form of intimidation for your business and your team.
“There is twice as much energy for ‘Yes and,’” Wardle said. “You are getting bigger ideas.
That was the message from Duncan Wardle during his opening
“’No because’ shouldn’t be the first two words you say, because
keynote presentation, “Back In Action: Igniting a Culture of Innovation
if you do, that person won’t come back next week with an idea.”
and Creativity,” at the 2021 NSGA Management Conference & Team
Wardle emphasized the importance of ideas coming from anywhere
Dealer Summit in Naples, Florida. Wardle was with Disney for 30 years before founding ID8. “The biggest barrier to innovation is you and me,” said Wardle, who became the Head of Creativity and Innovation for Disney. “It’s hard to stop thinking the way you always do.” Wardle walked the walk during his presentation by deviating from the traditional format of talking while attendees sat quietly and listened. Wardle included some snappy artwork and a couple of lively creative interviewing exercises to get attendees out of their chairs and sharing ideas. One of the exercises was “No because vs. Yes and,” to show how the difference between encouraging and stifling creativity. 14 | NSGA NOW ®
>> January/February 2022
in your business. Diversity helps spark innovation because people who look different than you do likely think differently as well. “You need to instill a culture of innovation into everyone’s DNA,” Wardle said. “The No. 1 barrier to innovation is, ‘I don’t have time to think,’ and you end up filling your day with meetings every day.” Wardle was part of helping Lucasfilm with new storylines for its Star Wars movie enterprise. He also had a hand in Pixar movie classics which included Toy Story, Wall-E and A Bug’s Life. “I was like a kid in a candy store,” Wardle said. Which underscores a key element to successful creativity and innovation.
