The Creative Power of “We”
At this year’s SAFe Summit Sorrento, I had the opportunity to attend a keynote by James Taylor—not the singer, but an equally inspiring speaker known for his work on creativity and innovation. One line in particular from his session struck me and has been bouncing around in my head ever since:
“Creativity is collaborative. Creativity is a team sport.”
As both an event planner and an agilest, that idea resonated deeply.
We often picture creativity as something that happens alone—one person, one spark of inspiration. But in my world, creativity is born through teamwork. Every successful event is the product of countless collaborative moments: brainstorming sessions, quick standups, spontaneous hallway chats, and cross-functional alignment. The magic happens together. It’s the collective input, brainstorming, iteration, and shared energy of a team that brings ideas to life.
Creativity Through an Agile Lens
“This event feels like one giant Inspect and Adapt.” one attendee said to me while we were chatting. You know what? They were right!
In agile, we value individuals and interactions, collaboration over silos, and responding to change over following a rigid plan. These principles naturally foster an environment where creativity can thrive—because when people feel safe to share, iterate, and co-create, the best ideas often emerge.
Creativity in events isn’t just about flashy stage design or clever branding (though those are fun too!). It’s about crafting experiences that connect, engage, and resonate. And that level of intentionality requires a team to think boldly, move quickly, and adapt constantly.
Our creative work—whether it’s designing an event experience or solving for a new team challenge—isn’t about nailing it on the first try. It’s about building together, testing ideas, and learning as we go. It’s about the we, not the me.
Bringing AI into the Collaboration
James Taylor also touched on how AI can support creativity, not replace it. I couldn’t agree more.
In my world, AI helps with everything from streamlining logistics to generating personalized attendee experiences. But more importantly, it creates space—giving us time back to focus on the strategic and human aspects of event design.
I’ve started leaning into AI tools as a kind of digital collaborator—helping me generate ideas, spot patterns, or offload the busywork so I can focus on the creative strategy. It’s like having another team member who doesn’t sleep and never runs out of suggestions. The trick is to treat AI not as a shortcut, but as a springboard—something that helps us get further, faster, while still keeping the human element front and center.
My Takeaway
Creativity doesn’t thrive in a vacuum—it needs connection, feedback, trust, and a willingness to experiment. That’s true in agile, in events, and honestly, in life.
So here’s what I’m walking away with:
Foster more opportunities for team creativity. Even a 15-minute jam session can spark a big breakthrough.
Leverage agile ceremonies as creative touchpoints. Retrospectives aren’t just for process —they can be goldmines for innovation.
Let AI take the pressure off, so our teams can lean into the human magic. Treat it as a teammate, not a tool.
And always, celebrate shared wins. When your team co-creates something, acknowledge the collective effort behind it.
Creativity really is a team sport —and I’m grateful to be playing on such a great team.
