Your Engineers Aren't "Not Creative." They're Living by a False Story.

The "I'm not creative" belief isn't a personality trait. It's a conclusion people reach when they compare their unpracticed performance to someone else's practiced one — and call the gap talent. In this video, I share a story from my own life (a viola section, two very dedicated violinists, and a decision I made at 15 that cost me 25 years of music) — and explain why the same mistaken math is quietly costing your engineering and analytical teams their best ideas. You'll discover: 🎻 Why "I'm not creative" is almost always a story, not a fact 🔑 The difference between a talent gap and a permission gap — and why it matters 🧪 How to run Experiment #6 from Innovation at Work ("Yes, And... That's Terrible!") in 12 minutes to start rewriting the story 📊 What I observed working with 125 project managers at PMI SF Bay Area — and what it proved about analytical minds If you lead engineers, analysts, or project managers who've checked out of the innovation conversation, this one is for you. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly tools on building innovation cultures that actually stick:    / @melissadinwiddie   📗 Download a free preview of Innovation at Work: https://innovationatworkbook.com/preview 📅 Book a complimentary Innovation Strategy Session: https://bookme.name/melissadinwiddie/... #CreateTheImpossible #InnovationCulture #EngineeringLeadership Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & High School Orchestra Story 01:40 – Why I Quit Music (The Wrong Conclusion) 02:08 – The Same Mistake in Innovation Teams 02:47 – Talent vs. Permission Differential 03:15 – The Hidden Cost of Creativity Myths 04:12 – Two Stories Blocking Innovation 05:36 – Good News: Stories Can Change 05:47 – Learning Guitar & A New Perspective 07:24 – From Self-Doubt to Jazz Performer 07:56 – What Story Is Your Team Living? 08:14 – Leadership Experiment: "Yes, And That's Terrible" 09:03 – How the Exercise Works 10:30 – Why Terrible Ideas Lead to Real Insights 11:23 – How to Run This Exercise With Your Team 12:49 – Remote-Friendly & No Materials Needed 13:12 – Case Study: 125 Project Managers 14:25 – Creativity Was Never Missing—Permission Was 14:38 – Practical Advice for Innovation Leaders 15:09 – Make “Terrible” the Goal 15:56 – Look for the Quiet Voices in the Room 16:36 – Permission Creates Innovation 17:03 – Try Experiment #6 Today 17:15 – Get the Full Toolkit 17:29 – Like, Subscribe & Final Thoughts Connect with me: LinkedIn:   / melissadinwiddie   Website: https://melissadinwiddie.com