What does it take to truly collaborate?

How can leaders create environments where diverse perspectives are valued, trust is nurtured, and meaningful conversations drive innovation?

Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ is a podcast for leaders, teams, and professionals who want to unlock the full potential of collaboration in their organisations and lives.

Hosted by Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd, co-founders of Collaboration Equation™, this show explores the essential elements of psychological safety, inclusive dialogue, and diversity of thought and feeling, helping you cultivate a mindset of curiosity, care, and courage.

Each episode delves into real-world leadership challenges, expert insights, and powerful stories from those who are finding their Collaborative Edge™. Whether you’re a senior leader, team manager, or someone passionate about creating human-centred workplaces, this podcast will inspire you to build connections, embrace difference, and lead with authenticity.

Join the conversation and start your journey towards more impactful, collaborative leadership.

Find out more at: www.collaborationequation.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: Collaboration Equation

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

Exploring Creativity with Curiosity, Care and Courage

In this episode of Finding Your Collaborative Edge™, Anni Townend and Lucy Kidd are in conversation with Ali Mapletoft – Artist, creative consultant, and founder of Creative Oxygen™ – whose work supports leaders and teams to reimagine how we work, relate and innovate together. Together, they explore why creativity is not just a “nice to have” in leadership and life, but a vital force with the power to save lives. From quick decision-making in A&E to the role of self-expression in mental health and recovery, Ali, Lucy and Anni make the case for creativity as essential – not just for innovation, but for creating cultures of connection..

Through their lens of Curiosity, Care and Courage, Anni and Lucy invite Ali to share how she works with leaders and teams to reimagine what’s possible. They discuss her belief that creativity is magic, and that this magic is essential. Not separate from strategy or systems, but central to how we create the conditions for collaboration and find our Collaborative Edge™.

In conversation with Anni and Lucy, Ali reflects on:

1. The role of creativity as a human capacity – not just a talent for the few
2. The Creative Oxygen Wheel: a practical framework for understanding how we access and apply creativity
3. Why it’s time to shift from “quality over quantity” for collaboration to thrive
4. How leaders can build simple, creative rituals into daily working life to create space for reflection and open conversation
5. The impact of collective creative energy to spark change across systems and cultures
6. And why choosing both logic and magic helps us find new ways of leading, collaborating and creating together

Ali also shares three creative invitations for your own leadership practice:

1. Believe in your own creative capacity – trust that it’s there
2. Make time to create alone, without the noise of others’ input
3. Design a “pop-up” creative space that inspires you to think differently

More about Ali Mapletoft

Ali is the founder ofCreative Oxygen™, where she partners with mission-led organisations to bring fresh thinking, deeper connection, and purposeful action into leadership and collaboration. Her work spans sectors – from business to education to health – and is grounded in a belief that creativity is one of the most powerful tools we have for change.

Connect with Ali:

1. LinkedIn
2. Instagram

Books mentioned in this episode:

1. The Courage to Create by Rollo May
2. The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave
3. How to Love Better by Yung Pueblo
4. The Day That Went Missing by Richard Beard

Referenced research on creativity:

1. McKinsey & Company found companies strong in creative capability saw 67% higher organic revenue growth, and 74% higher net enterprise value.
2. Read the report
3. Barker Langham Report: Art-based interventions can reduce workplace stress by up to 81% and boost productivity by 17%.
4. Read the report
5. The Journal of Creative Behaviour: Creativity is not just a trait—it’s a decision. People must choose to act creatively.
6. Study by Zorana Ivcevic & Jessica D. Hoffmann.

Thank you for listening

Finding Your Collaborative Edge™ is produced by Brown Bear Studios, with marketing support from SHMOGUS Media and Penny Writing.

Please share, rate, and subscribe – and continue exploring how curiosity, care and courage can lead us to more creative, collaborative leadership.

Explore more atwww.collaborationequation.com

Follow us on LinkedIn:Collaboration Equation