What Todd Henry Talks About:

Creative Problem Solving

At its heart, creativity is problem solving. If you get paid to solve problems for a living, you’re a creative professional.

But typically, our work is presented to us in the form of “projects”. We are tasked with accomplishing some defined objective (like developing a strategy, building a website, or launching a campaign), and the underlying problems we are trying to solve may be obscured by the packaging in which they are presented. We are asked for deliverables instead of solutions.

In these situations, we can easily veer off course. We simply focus on the outcome instead of considering the why behind the deliverables we’re tasked with creating. Or worse, we can actually “succeed our way into failure” by delivering something that checks all the boxes on the project task list but doesn’t actually solve the core problem. It’s frustrating, but it’s avoidable.

The solution? Defining, then continuously re-defining the problem.

Here are three strategies for doing this:

1. Nail Down the Real Problem

Before you dive headfirst into a project, step back and ask: What’s the actual problem I’m trying to solve? Projects are just tools to address problems, so if you’re not crystal clear on the core issue, you’re setting yourself up for pain, wasted effort, and possible re-work. Define the problem with as much clarity as possible. As I wrote in The Accidental Creative, “You must define your work before you can do your work.” When you know the problem, you have a north star to guide everything you do.

“You must define your work before you can do your work.” – The Accidental Creative

2. Get Everyone on the Same Page

When you’re collaborating, alignment is obviously essential. It’s amazing how often teams start working on a project with completely different understandings about what the end goal is. That’s a recipe for frustration and wasted effort. Before you even begin, make sure everyone agrees on the actual problem (or set of problems) you’re solving. Have the conversation, write it down for documentation purposes, and revisit it if needed. Shared clarity creates shared purpose, and that keeps everyone moving in the right direction.

3. Adjust and Adapt

Here’s the thing: as you work, you’re going to learn new things about the problem you’re solving. That’s just part of the process.

New information will surface, and the problem you thought you were solving might evolve. Don’t cling to your initial assumptions. Be open to redefining the problem as you go, and don’t be afraid to pivot if that’s what’s needed to stay on track.

Flexibility isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. And, clarity is the antidote to anxiety. Revisiting the problem regularly keeps your work on track. By focusing on the real problems, staying aligned with your team, and being willing to adapt, you’ll avoid the trap of succeeding your way into failure. Creativity isn’t about just getting things done—it’s about solving the right problems in the best way possible.

Keep your eyes on the real goal – the problem you’re actually solving – and you’ll navigate your way to truly valuable work.

Brilliance under pressure

Brilliance under pressure can be inevitable through five key practices that empower you to produce exceptional work consistently, even under tight deadlines. Learn to overcome creative blocks, manage your energy, and tap into a wellspring of inspiration to delivery outstanding results, time and time again.

In the fast-paced, create-on-demand world, the constant need to produce brilliant results can leave even the most talented creative pros feeling uninspired and burned out. Brilliance under Pressure provides a proven framework for maintaining peak creative problem solving, even under intense pressure.

Through engaging stories and practical insights, keynote speaker and best-selling author Todd Henry equips you with powerful strategies to defeat the common “assassins” of creativity that rob you of focus and productivity. You’ll discover how to order your world to master five areas of creative rhythm that will enable you to stay energized and avoid the pitfalls of burnout and frustration.

By the end of this keynote, you’ll be armed with a toolkit of practices that will transform your approach to creative work and enable you to consistently deliver brilliant results, no matter the circumstances.

Based on Todd’s best-selling book, The Accidental Creative.

Conquering Creativity Killers

Even the most talented, ambitious creative pros get stuck. Simply working harder doesn’t guarantee results. Understanding how to identify and overcome the seven most common pitfalls that lead to stagnation will help you rediscover your passion and ignite your drive to product brilliant work.

Creative problem solving can be a grind. Even the most talented leaders and creative pros can find themselves stuck, working hard but not achieving the results they desire. This unexpected stagnation and loss of passion is frustrating and demoralizing, impacting individual and organizational success.

Through practical strategies and thought-provoking insights, keynote speaker and best-selling author Todd Henry reveals how to overcome the seven “deadly sins” that lead to personal and organizational plateaus. You’ll learn how to break free from these common traps, challenge assumptions, and rediscover your passion for producing brilliant work.

By the end of this keynote, you’ll be equipped with the tools to overcome fear, foster collaboration, navigate the natural phases of personal and career growth, and overcome the fear of failure—and success. Discover ways to reignite your drive and achieve breakthrough results, no matter the challenges.