Episode 10: Creativity Isn’t Magic — It’s a Leadership Practice with Dr. Amy Climer

Episode 10: Creativity Isn’t Magic — It’s a Leadership Practice with Dr. Amy Climer

UNLOCKING CREATIVITY IN TEAMS: PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR LEADERS In this episode of Twisting Paradigms IRL, Dr. Kate McCaffrey talks with Dr. Amy Climer to explore the relationship between creativity, innovation, & leadership. Amy shares practical strategies for building creative teams, fostering trust, & creating environments where innovation can thrive. Together, they discuss how leaders can intentionally cultivate creativity within their organizations and rethink traditional approaches to team dynamics, and problem-solving. KEY TOPICS * Difference between creativity and innovation * Elements needed for team creativity * Creative problem solving process * Building trust and psychological safety * Designing intentional team spaces and meetings SOUND BITES "Creativity is a novelty that is valuable." "Small process changes can reduce stress." "Make space for creativity in your schedule." CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Innovation in Organizations 02:20 Defining Creativity and Innovation 05:30 The Role of Leadership in Fostering Creativity 09:44 Creative Problem Solving Process 12:08 Team Dynamics and Trust in Creative Environments 16:18 Cooperation vs. Collaboration in Teams 20:18 The Purpose of Collaboration vs. Cooperation 22:49 Rethinking Meeting Structures for Productivity 29:13 Creating Inclusive and Innovative Team Environments 33:00 Intentionality in Team Dynamics and Space 35:19 Deliberate Creativity in Team Meetings RESOURCES Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results https://climerconsulting.com/book [https://climerconsulting.com/book] Climer Cards https://climercards.com [https://climercards.com] The Deliberate Creative Podcast https://climerconsulting.com [https://climerconsulting.com] CONNECT WITH DR. AMY CLIMER Website https://climerconsulting.com [https://climerconsulting.com] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/] ABOUT DR. AMY CLIMER Dr. Amy Climer teaches teams and organizations how to increase their creativity so they can maximize innovation. She is a speaker, trainer, consultant, and author of the award-winning book Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results. Amy is also the host of The Deliberate Creative Podcast and the creator of Climer Cards, a creativity and team-building tool. She holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change and works with organizations to build stronger, more innovative teams. ABOUT KATE MCCAFFREY Dr. Kate McCaffrey is the CEO and Founder of Paradigm Twist, LLC. She partners with leaders and organizations to strengthen leadership capacity, communication, and organizational effectiveness through facilitation, coaching, and strategic development. CONNECT WITH KATE Website https://www.twistyourparadigm.com [https://www.twistyourparadigm.com] LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-mccaff/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-mccaff/] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share it with a colleague, and join us for future conversations that challenge assumptions, expand perspectives, and inspire leadership growth.

Episode 9 Play to Lead - Celebrating 40 years of women and girls in sports

This episode explores the advocacy and leadership in women's sports, tracing the legacy of Title IX and the impact of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. It discusses the role of women in leadership, challenges and gaps in women's sports, myths and misunderstandings, the influence of athletics on leadership, and lessons from women's sports for other leaders. The conversation covers the importance of collaboration and support in sports, the need for a cultural shift and intentional support for girls in sports, the power of messaging and representation, the impact of post-game traditions and rituals, and advice for young women in sport and leadership. Takeaways * Advocacy and leadership in women's sports * The impact of Title IX on women's sports Collaboration and support are essential for overcoming challenges and advancing in sports. * Cultural shift and intentional support are crucial for encouraging girls to continue in sports. Chapters * 00:00 Twisting Paradigms in Real Life * 05:31 Challenges and Gaps in Women's Sports * 17:16 Lessons from Women's Sports for Other Leaders * 24:54 The Value of Collaboration and Support * 36:18 The Impact of Post-Game Traditions and Rituals

Episode 8: AI Isn't the Problem - Your Culture Is with Dr. Claire Brady

We are joined by Dr. Claire Brady, President and Founder of Glass Half Full Consulting and author of AI with Intention: The Leadership Guide for Higher Education. [https://www.amazon.com/AI-Intention-Leadership-Higher-Education/dp/1662972024]Dr. Claire Brady is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author of AI with Intention: The Leadership Guide for Higher Education. With more than 25 years of experience in student affairs and executive leadership, she partners with colleges and universities to navigate AI adoption with clarity, strategy, and purpose. Through keynotes, workshops, and executive advising, Claire helps leaders move beyond hype to identify practical, mission-aligned applications of AI that enhance student success, improve operations, and strengthen organizational culture. Her work is grounded in the belief that AI should not replace human connection—but create more space for it. The conversation explores the impact of AI in higher education, and the challenges and strategies related to AI adoption and change management. It explores the importance of building trust, dealing with change fatigue, and understanding paradigms and behavior twists in the context of organizational leadership and change. It highlights the integration of AI into student workflows, building trust and transparency with students, the role of AI in student enrollment, scalability and challenges of AI implementation, the human-centric approach to AI in higher education, the impact of AI on student well-being and equity, creating a culture of AI readiness in higher education, and final thoughts and encouragement for AI adoption in education. Takeaways * The importance of building trust in AI adoption and navigating change fatigue * Understanding paradigms and behavior twists in the context of organizational leadership and change - Trust and transparency are essential in integrating AI into student workflows. * AI readiness in higher education is about creating a culture that supports meaningful engagement with AI tools. Chapters * 00:00 The Birth of Paradigm Twist * 05:29 Building Capacity for Change * 10:34 Building Trust in AI Adoption * 15:46 Building Trust in AI Adoption * 21:12 Integrating AI into Student Workflows * 26:24 The Human-Centric Approach to AI in Higher Education * 32:26 Creating a Culture of AI Readiness in Higher Education * 38:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Dr. Claire Brady - Glass Half Full Consulting [https://www.drclairebrady.com/] Find out more about Claire and her new book launching this month: AI with Intention [https://www.amazon.com/AI-Intention-Leadership-Higher-Education/dp/1662972024]

Episode 7: Reimagining the Higher Ed Workforce with Dr. Kevin McClure

The conversation explores the concept of a caring university and the incremental changes needed to transform institutional culture. It shares the origin story of this concept, the assessment and improvement of culture, the role of policy and procedure, and the importance of the employee value proposition in addressing institutional challenges. The conversation explores the challenges of workload, organizational capacity for change, and the need to prioritize quality over quantity in higher education. It emphasizes the importance of people-first change, building readiness, and empowering end users in change processes. The discussion also explores the need to update workplace mindsets and policies, embrace small wins, and reconstruct organizational practices to achieve a more caring university environment. Dr. Kevin R. McClure is a Professor of Higher Education and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He also serves as Co-Director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges.  Dr. McClure is a distinguished scholar of college leadership and organizational change. An award-winning public scholar, he has most recently served as a regular columnist at The Chronicle of Higher Education. Dr. McClure’s best-selling book, The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace after the Great Resignation, was released with Johns Hopkins University Press in 2025. Kevin's recent article: Higher Ed Has A Workload Problem [https://www.chronicle.com/article/higher-ed-has-a-workload-problem] Connect with Kevin on Linked In [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mcclure-424145223/] Takeaways from this episode - * Creating a caring university * Incremental change for institutional culture Prioritizing quality over quantity * Emphasizing people-first change Chapters * 00:00 The Caring University * 06:30 Assessing and Improving Culture * 16:47 Employee Value Proposition * 22:17 Doing Fewer Things Better Organizationally * 28:08 Putting People First in Change Initiatives * 34:29 Challenges of Letting Go and Updating Mindsets

Episode 6: Design Thinking in Higher Ed with Dr. Amy Tiberio

Dr. Amy Tiberio discusses the implementation of design thinking in higher education, emphasizing the student-centered approach, diverse perspectives, and the challenges and benefits of the process. The conversation explores the Experiencing Design framework, stages of the process, and its impact on change management and team dynamics. Additionally, the potential impact of design thinking on higher education and the encouragement of a student-centered approach are highlighted. Amy Tiberio, Ed.D., is a higher education leader, writer, and speaker passionate about institutional innovation and the future of education. Through her Substack and LinkedIn newsletter, Embracing Disruption in Higher Education, she explores the intersection of leadership, change management, and equity — translating complex research into ideas practitioners can actually use. Amy has spent over two decades in enrollment management at institutions across New England, including Bentley University, Stonehill College, and, most recently, Roger Williams University, where she serves as Vice President for Enrollment Management and a member of the President's Cabinet. She has presented at national conferences, including EDUCAUSE and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), on topics ranging from AI strategy to equity in admissions to women's leadership. She holds an Executive Doctorate in Higher Education from Boston College, where her research focused on leadership, institutional change, and equity in higher education. Outside of work, Amy is an avid yoga practitioner and believes deeply that personal wellness and great leadership go hand in hand. Takeaways * Design thinking centers the student experience * Design thinking encourages diverse perspectives and engagement * Design thinking requires intentional facilitation and time commitment Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to Design Thinking * 05:00 Experiencing Design Framework * 11:01 Creating an Environment for Creativity * 17:03 Impact on Change Management * 23:09 Building Team Synergy * 28:02 Encouraging Student-Centered Approach FREE RESOURCE [https://drive.google.com/file/d/120vMdn2e5utKtCo4umXy_qX8lqGzhfTv/view?usp=sharing]