5 Strategies to Boost Your Team's Creativity
What kind of clam are you? And how do you activate each style in your brainstorming?
Is your team planning a brainstorming session soon, but does it feel like the ideas are coming a bit stiff? Creativity is not a fluke - you can stimulate it in a targeted way. At Mossels from Brossels we work with five creative ‘mussel types’, each with their own needs, triggers and strengths.
Below you will find for each mussel:
what really matters to them
practical tips for facilitators and team leads
a short energiser that you can use immediately in your brainstorming session
In this article
Creativity, what is it anyway?
Creativity rarely arises in isolation. Sometimes you need an external facilitator to open up new perspectives. Sometimes a good conversation, a different form of work or a playful stimulus will suffice. Most important? Creating the right context so that different types of people dare to show their creativity.
Being creative is essential for your team
Creativity is essential for everything we do in the workplace. No one wants to walk the beaten path again and again. We strive for innovative ways to reach our target audience and want to develop new and relevant products that really matter. Fortunately, we can use creative strategies to do this and use chance to our advantage.
What kind of mossel are you?
Mossels from Brossels developed 5 strategies to give chance a helping hand. Which creativity technique do you prefer?
We got our inspiration from the eternal quest for creativity, and were greatly inspired by the book Coincidence of Jeroen Hopster.
The Lottery mussel - Safety & trust first
“Creativity happens to me... or not.”
What this mussel needs
The lottery mussel blooms open only when there are psychological security is. Without confidence, he remains expectant and in the background.
Tips for your team
Always start brainstorms with clear agreements: no judgement, anything goes.
Explicitly mention that “bad ideas” are welcome - they often lead to good ones.
Use humour and light forms of work to release tension.
Work in small groups so that thresholds are lowered.
⚡ Energiser: The Absurd Idea (5 minutes)
In 1 minute, let everyone see the most ridiculous idea around the theme. Share them in the group. Laugh together. Then ask: “What little useful core is hidden in this?”
➡ Result: safety rises, creativity relaxes.
The Sneak Mussel - Clear purpose & space for introverts
“I like to work silently towards a strong idea,” he says.”
What this mussel needs
This clam is goal-oriented and thinks deeply, but does not always speak spontaneously. Without structure, he gets snowed under.
Tips for your team
Start each brainstorm with a sharp central question.
Build in silent thinking stages before group discussions.
Use post-its or digital boards so everyone can give input.
Explicitly give the floor to quieter team members.
⚡ Energiser: Silent Storming (7 minutes)
Everyone writes ideas individually on post-its (without talking). Only then cluster and discuss.
➡ Result: more focus, more inclusive input.
The Experi Mussel - Play culture & dare to fail
“Everything is an experiment.”
What this mussel needs
The experi-mussel lives on action, playfulness and exercise. It needs an environment where trying is more important than being perfect.
Tips for your team
Make failure explicitly okay (“fail fast, learn faster”).
Work with prototypes, sketches, role plays.
Bring in game elements: time pressure, challenges, surprises.
Employ humour and movement.
⚡ Energiser: Build the Idea (10 minutes)
Give small teams paper, tape and markers. Have them create a physical prototype of their idea in 5 minutes. Then pitch briefly.
➡ Result: energy up, ideas become tangible.
The Prep Mussel - Preparation = creativity
“Give me structure and time.”
What this mussel needs
This clam thinks creatively through preparation. Chaos blocks him.
Tips for your team
Forward agenda, purpose and context in advance.
Provide reflection questions in advance.
Schedule enough time for in-depth learning.
Work with clear phases: diverge → select → concretise.
⚡ Energiser: Pre-think-question (for the meeting)
Send one creative question 24h in advance:
“What is one wild idea that we have never dared to express before?”
Start the brainstorm by sharing some answers.
➡ Result: faster depth from minute one.
The Curi mussel - Nutrition for the brain
“I see connections everywhere.”
What this mussel needs
Inspiration. Incentives. New angles. Without input, his creativity dries up.
Tips for your team
Put inspirational materials on the shop floor: books, quotes, visuals.
Share trends, articles or case studies regularly.
Organise mini moments of inspiration.
Encourage asking questions rather than immediately seeking answers.
⚡ Energiser: Inspiration Roulette (7 minutes)
Put 5 random images or words on the table. Have teams draw one card and require them to link it to their problem.
➡ Result: unexpected associations and fresh angles.
What's your strategy? What kind of mossel are you?
Each team contains multiple clam types. Creativity grows when you use that diversity intelligently. That is why at Mussels from Brossels we developed the workshop “Give your team a creativity boost”:
discover each other's creative preferences
learn to cooperate playfully
go home with concrete ideas and energy
👉 Ready to take your brainstorms to the next level?
Discover the workshop and get your team buzzing with ideas.
Other playful inspiration for your team
14 July 2026
26 June 2026
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