An established way to sharpen creative thinking is to regularly engage in activities that encourage flexible thinking. If you enjoy photography, put yourself on assignment to take a photograph illustrating a theme. You might, for example, take photographs illustrating the proper use of your company’s product. Another standard technique for become a more flexible thinker is to ask yourself “what-if” questions. Such questions stretch your imagination to think of possibilities not previously given much or any thought.

Learning a second (or third) language, including sign language, can facilitate creativity because you are forced to shift mental sets. A key characteristic of creative leaders is that they can spot opportunities that other people overlook. Staying alert to opportunities can be framed as an application of the leader being mindful. Opportunity seeking is associated with entrepreneurial leadership because the entrepreneur might build an organization around an unmet consumer need.