Ever wondered where creativity actually starts?
Is it during a brainstorm over bad coffee? Or maybe halfway through a Tuesday morning run?
Recently, we sat down on Instagram Live with some incredible mentors from Autodesk, Nostra, and our wider B!G Idea mentor community.
Our guests included Amanda Fennell, Tyrone Williams, Kate O’Connor, and Cormac Donnelly.
Together, they represent roles across marketing leadership, service management, and retail sales. We challenged them with our famous 15-second buzzer to uncover what really makes their creative brains tick.
Spoiler alert: it’s not just sticky notes and mood boards. In this conversation, we explore where creativity begins and what industry mentors have learned about creative thinking in real life.
Interestingly, creativity doesn’t always arrive at a desk.
For some mentors, ideas appear while exercising, when the body is moving and the mind is free. For others, creativity kicks in when facing a brand-new challenge with no clear answer. That feeling of uncertainty? It often fuels the best ideas.
However, creative blocks are very real.
When ideas dry up, our mentors agree on one thing: stop forcing it. In fact, the best ideas often arrive when you stop chasing them. Step away. Change your focus. Talk to someone else. Let your mind breathe. As Amanda put it, the best ideas arrive when you stop chasing them.
One of the biggest challenges in creative roles is collaboration.
People think differently. Some need quiet space to process ideas. Others need fast-paced conversation and energy. Creating an environment where everyone feels heard takes real skill.
One key learning echoed a core principle of The B!G Idea: flearning.
As Cormac shared, failure isn’t something to fear. Instead, it’s part of learning, adapting, and moving forward. That mindset unlocks creativity.
Ultimately, forget the idea of the lone creative genius.
Our mentors thrive in teams, especially when working with people from different industries and backgrounds. Diversity of thinking leads to better ideas.
Whether collaborating through The B!G Idea programmes or across sectors, creativity grows when perspectives collide.
As Amanda put it, seeing the same problem from different angles is where the real magic happens.
Trying to come up with something completely new can feel overwhelming.
However, creativity doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. In practice, many great ideas come from improving what already exists.
Add a twist. Layer on a better experience. Make something familiar work better.
Just as importantly, make ideas tangible quickly. Sketch them. Mock them up. Test them. Don’t keep everything in your head.
And finally, enjoy the process.
As Kate reminded us: having the craic is often where the best ideas are born.
Whether you’re leading a team, developing an idea, or figuring out your next step, the message from our mentors is clear.
Look around. Learn from others. Trust your instincts. And don’t be afraid to fail — even gloriously.
Be curious.
Be bold.
Be your best self.
Through programmes like The B!G Idea, students learn how creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving connect.
