Looking back at the 7 levels of group intelligence, there’s one level that consistently transforms stuck teams: the intuitive level. Yet most leaders skip right past it, relying purely on logic in their meetings.

But what happens when you invite people to draw, build, or use objects to describe their thinking? Something magical shifts.
In all my workshops, I bring a box of creative toys, which sit on tables, chairs, and even the floor, quietly inspiring creativity and innovation. Because creative processes take “right and wrong” out of the equation, becoming powerful equalisers that connect people around ideas, not beliefs.

LESSON: When dominant voices need to step back
I once facilitated a team retreat for a bioceutical company struggling with power dynamics and dominant characters. Traditional discussions weren’t working—the same voices dominated every conversation.

APPLY: The three-object breakthrough
I started the day with a structured round, asking everyone to go outside and collect three objects:

1. One representing their hopes for the day
2. One representing their fears for the day
3. One representing what they wanted to set aside to be fully present

The transformation was instant. The group equalised as people shared intuitive interpretations from their hearts, not their “supposed to be” professional identities. Allowing to speak about fears early on is another big equaliser. It connects us as humans.

This authentic start enabled the difficult conversations they’d been avoiding and created the breakthrough their communication desperately needed.

Sometimes the most logical thing you can do is step beyond logic.
What creative approach has unlocked new thinking in your teams? 👇