Create the Impossible! How Play, Imperfection and Fast Learning Drive Innovation | Melissa Dinwiddie
In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin sits down with innovation strategist, keynote speaker, and creativity consultant Melissa Dinwiddie to explore her signature framework: Create the Impossible™. Drawing from her background as a Juilliard-trained dancer, professional artist, jazz singer, and improv performer, Melissa brings a refreshing and practical perspective on how to unlock creativity, even in highly analytical environments.
Melissa shares her powerful 3-step process:
1️⃣ Play Hard – Embrace curiosity and play to fuel new ideas
2️⃣ Make Crap – Welcome imperfection as the first step to progress
3️⃣ Learn Fast – Use every experience, especially failures, to grow and iterate
They discuss how leaders and teams can build a culture that supports innovation by letting go of perfectionism, encouraging experimentation, and fostering psychological safety. Melissa also shares practical techniques like playful team rituals and improv-based workshops that she used with clients at Google, Meta, Salesforce, and other top organizations.
Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of how to create space for creativity in fast-paced, high-pressure work environments and why embracing messiness might be the key to achieving what once seemed impossible.
Melissa Dinwiddie is an innovation strategist, keynote speaker, and creativity consultant whose journey, from Juilliard-trained dancer and professional calligrapher to jazz singer and innovation coach, brings a rich and artistic perspective to the world of business. Through her signature Create the Impossible™ framework, she guides tech leaders at companies like Google, Meta, Salesforce, and Uber to embrace playful experimentation, welcome “crappy” prototypes, and learn fast for breakthrough innovation.
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Takeaways
- Creativity can be unlocked through a structured framework.
- Embracing play is essential for innovation.
- Perfectionism can hinder creativity; making mistakes is necessary.
- Self-awareness and self-compassion are crucial for overcoming fears.
- Leaders must model vulnerability to encourage team experimentation.
- The concept of 'impossible' should be redefined in business contexts.
- Playfulness can enhance team dynamics and engagement.
- Recognizing and managing internal fears is a key to personal growth.
- Creating a culture of experimentation leads to breakthroughs.
- The journey to creativity is ongoing and requires continuous learning.
- Psychological safety is crucial for team dynamics.
- Leaders can generate safety by showing vulnerability.
- Celebrating failures can lead to valuable learning.
- Creating a 'creative sandbox' allows for experimentation.
- Sharing imperfect work encourages feedback and growth.
- Iteration is key to learning and improvement.
- Resistance to change is common but can be managed.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
02:49 The Create the Impossible Framework
06:47 Defining the Impossible in Business
11:14 Overcoming Blockers to Creativity
18:17 Embracing Play in the Workplace
25:55 The Importance of Making 'Crap'
32:50 The Importance of Iteration and Learning Fast
34:04 Examples of the Create the Impossible Framework
39:22 Embracing Play and Experimentation in Work
41:21 Leadership's Role in Fostering Creativity
45:10 Connecting with Resources and Further Learning
Connect with Melissa
- Website: https://melissadinwiddie.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadinwiddie/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MelissaDinwiddie
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_creative_life/
- Book: https://melissadinwiddie.com/my-book/
- Link from the QR code: https://bit.ly/hoipthankyou
Connect with Vit
- Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/
- X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin
