Imagine a workplace where creativity thrives, unbounded by traditional barriers—this concept is called “borderless creativity.” In this episode of HR on the Offensive, Chris and fellow LACEr Debbie Mitchell speak to Elaine Grell, Chief People Officer of Ogilvy, as they explore this concept and its transformative implications for leadership, diversity, workplace culture and innovation.
What is “borderless creativity”?
It’s a model that champions collaboration across disciplines and experiences to generate innovative ideas. Elaine reveals how Ogilvy balances non-negotiable processes, such as goal-setting and regular check-ins, with the freedom to explore flexible, dynamic problem-solving approaches. By fostering an environment of trust and open dialogue, it ensures that every employee feels empowered to contribute meaningfully.
What role can diversity play in fuelling innovation?
When we talk about diversity, we’re referring to both thought and background. Elaine highlights the importance of hiring individuals from non-traditional paths and fostering their unique strengths. Ignoring diverse talent and fresh perspectives means organisation risk missing out on opportunities to ignite innovative ideas and achieve meaningful growth.
HR and leadership can take valuable lessons from this approach. Embracing diversity with boldness and building a safe-to-fail culture helps to unlock innovation. Elaine’s insights show the importance of curiosity, continuous learning and adaptability as key tools for navigating the fast-changing business world.
Listen now to learn how your organisation can resist stagnation and foster a workplace culture that cultivates innovation.
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