Creativity Needs Space: How Leaders Can Balance Structure and Flow
- Liza Engel
- May 6
- 3 min read
Why embracing both discipline and spontaneity can make you a better communicator, leader, and presenter
“Who Tipped the Garbage?!” A Real-Life Metaphor for Creative Leadership
A calm Sunday morning. Coffee ready, notebook open, and the house wonderfully quiet. I had blocked this time to write—think, and be creative. Everything was aligned—until it wasn’t.
“ArrrrghHHHH??!!! Who tipped the garbage?!” Yelled my son.
The kitchen garbage bag, full and waiting to be taken out, had tipped over. A sibling standoff erupted, arguing whose fault it was. A full-blown argument and a big mess on the floor instantly hijacked my perfect creative setup.
These moments—frustrating in real time but harmless in hindsight—aren’t rare. They’re woven into the daily reality of leadership and life. And they raise an important question: How do we protect time and energy for creativity when life keeps… knocking things over?
Creativity vs. Discipline? That’s the Wrong Question.
We often frame creativity and discipline as opposites. But in my experience—and according to neuroscience—they’re co-pilots. Creativity needs structure to take shape. Discipline, without room to breathe, becomes rigid and sterile.
Your Brain on Creativity: The Two Modes You Need
Neuroscience gives us a powerful framework:
The Default Mode Network (DMN) is your internal idea engine. It activates during daydreaming, reflection, and moments of mental awakening.
The Executive Control Network (ECN) kicks in when it’s time to plan, prioritize, and execute.
You need both to lead with clarity, present with impact, or communicate persuasively. One gives you insight. The other delivers action.
How I Prep for Presentations: Building Flow Through Structure
Here’s how I intentionally shift between open creativity and focused execution, especially when preparing for a talk or high-stakes communication.
Phase 1: Spark and Drift (Creative Mind-Wandering)
This is where the idea unfolds—often away from the desk. I cook, walk, or scribble loosely in a notebook. There is no pressure to produce—I am just giving my brain space to connect the dots.
Phase 2: Structure and Focus (Design and Build)
Once the idea takes form, I block time to shape it. I map the story, define key messages, and create the narrative arc. I protect this time—usually in the morning, when my energy is strongest.
Phase 3: Polish and Presence (Refine and Rehearse)
I toggle between micro-edits and run-throughs. I speak the content aloud, refine it for clarity, and check pacing. I leave space for final tweaks and aim to feel grounded and ready.
These phases work when you’ve reserved enough time, which is why you need to plan for the “garbage bag moments.” Things will go awry. Build in some slack to ensure and protect the creative rhythm.
What About When You’re Angry or Upset?
Let’s be honest—sometimes the disruption isn’t a garbage moment. It’s a tough email, a sharp comment, or a conversation that leaves you spinning.
These emotional hits can hijack your creative flow and send you into a downward spiral. So, how do you recover when frustration pulls you off track?
Here’s what usually works for me:
Pause with compassion. Step away—even five minutes helps. Breathe. Let yourself feel without judgment.
Move your body. Physical movement resets the nervous system. A brisk walk, stretching, or climbing stairs can interrupt “fight or flight.”
Name what’s true. Write down what happened, what you felt, and why it triggered you. Naming it defuses its power.
Re-enter gently. Don’t expect to dive back into deep work. Start small—a mind map, a note, a voice memo. Ease in.
Use structure to re-anchor. Return to your plan. Pick one clear, achievable next step. Even “open draft deck” can break the downward spiral.
Lessons From the Chaos: What I’ve Had to Unlearn
Emails don’t come first. They drain creative energy. I now defend my best brain time for meaningful work.
Not every task deserves a spot. I aim to limit daily priorities to three (though realistically, I often have five)—clarity over clutter.
I’m more adaptable than I thought. I’ve learned to test assumptions—about when, where, and how I work best.
Takeaways
Know your creative phases—and honour them.
Protect your prime thinking hours for work that matters.
Let transitions be quiet. Your brain needs space between tasks.
Choose a structure that supports—not suffocates.
When emotions spike, pause. Then, move—mentally and physically.
Creativity Isn’t a Mood. It’s a Rhythm.
Our work—coaching, leading, presenting—depends on communicating with insight and intention. And that doesn’t come from endless hustle or rigid routines. It comes from rhythm.
From knowing when to drift, when to focus, and how to return to yourself when life throws you off course.
Creativity needs your leadership. And your leadership needs creativity—with space built to support it.
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