In this joyful and energizing episode of UX Leadership by Design, Mark Baldino is joined by creativity catalyst Melissa Dinwiddie — a Juilliard-trained dancer turned artist, jazz singer, improviser, and innovation strategist and coach. Melissa helps individuals and teams get unstuck and unlock their creative potential, even (and especially) when they don’t see themselves as creative. She walks us through her deceptively simple “Create the Impossible” framework—Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast—and dives deep into why perfectionism is the enemy of progress.
Whether you’re a self-identified “non-creative,” an overthinking perfectionist, an analytically minded problem-solver, or a leader trying to build more innovative teams, this episode is packed with insight, laughter, and incredibly actionable advice. Bonus content: Melissa was kind enough to create an IMPACT Innovation Checklist for all of our listeners.
Key Takeaways
- Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast – Melissa’s 3-part framework helps people move through creative blocks with intention and joy.
- Everyone is Creative – The belief that creativity is for “others” is one of the biggest blockers to innovation.
- Perfectionism Kills Progress – Creatives often get stuck chasing an unattainable ideal. Melissa advocates for “intentional imperfectionism.”
- Improv Builds Better Teams – Activities like “Time Traveler” help teams build empathy, communicate better, and influence with impact.
- Self-Compassion Fuels Innovation – Letting go of judgment and leaning into curiosity enables us to grow, create, and experiment more freely.
Chapters
- 00:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro
- 00:22 – From Juilliard to Jazz
- 02:24 – The Creativity Myth
- 05:40 – The “Create the Impossible” Framework
- 07:02 – Breaking the “I’m Not Creative” Label
- 11:41 – Improv for Innovation & Communication
- 18:16 – Play Hard, Make Crap, Learn Fast
- 24:03 – Helping Creatives Let Go of Perfectionism
- 27:52 – Mark’s Tile Confession
- 32:40 – Where to Find Melissa & Listener Resources
Resources & Links
- Connect with Melissa Dinwiddle on LinkedIn
- Melissa’s Website and YouTube Channel
- Thank you gift: IMPACT Innovation Checklist
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