Creativity as a Through-line

Whether you're in a boardroom or a dance studio, creativity isn’t an add-on. 

It’s the through-line.

In this episode, Janet Stormes dives deep into the powerful intersection of dance and business, revealing how the creative process serves as the bridge between two seemingly different worlds. Drawing from her unique experience in both the performing arts and finance, Janet uncovers the universal principles that make creativity not just an artistic pursuit, but a way of learning and leading for life. 

Janet emphasizes that creativity is not reserved for geniuses or artists. It's a mindset, a method, and a muscle that anyone can develop. Whether choreographing a dance piece or training federal employees, the process remains surprisingly consistent: it requires trust, openness, collaboration, and persistence.

At the heart of both dance and business lies the same creative framework:

1. Psychological safety – creating a space where ideas can emerge without fear.
2. Understanding the creative process – using structured tools to clarify challenges, identify gaps, and think imaginatively.
3. Movement – not just in the studio, but in life. Even walking can activate creative thinking and enhance business functionality.

Janet challenges the narrow definition of creativity and calls for an expanded understanding—one that values communication, exploration, and strategic problem-solving. Through workshops that incorporate movement and creative principles, she helps individuals and organizations tap into their full creative potential.

The key takeaway? The creative process is natural. It’s happening whether we acknowledge it or not. By engaging with it intentionally, we can learn, teach, and lead more effectively in every space we occupy.

Janet Stormes 

Learning on the Verge

Buffalo State College Center for Applied Imagination 

The Global Creativity Initiative Podcast is a scholarly commitment to sharing creativity and specifically creative process for problem solving (aka life) with all of humanity. Visit our website to learn more about The Global Creativity Initiative. Write to us at [e-mail]