Ep. 30 - Leading with Creativity: Why the Future of Business Depends on It with Creativity Strategist Natalie Nixon
If your organization overlooking its most valuable asset: human creativity?
In this episode of the CivilTalk Podcast, we are joined by Natalie Nixon, PhD: creativity strategist, author, global keynote speaker, and founder of Figure 8 Thinking — to explore how creativity can no longer be considered optional in business and leadership. Drawing from her diverse background in anthropology, global fashion sourcing, and design management, Natalie shares why creativity is a strategic asset for navigating uncertainty, sparking innovation, and cultivating cultures of adaptability and empathy.
Natalie breaks down her acclaimed WonderRigor™ framework—a balance of curiosity, improvisation, intuition, and discipline—and shows how it’s helping organizations make smarter decisions, unlock bold thinking, and thrive in ambiguity. She also dives into her newest framework from her upcoming book Move. Think. Rest., which challenges traditional notions of productivity by emphasizing movement, reflective thought, and intentional rest as tools for achieving greater clarity, engagement, and leadership resilience. Together, we unpack how the MTR system can transform team dynamics, prevent burnout, and create the kind of spacious thinking modern workplaces desperately need.
Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to integrate creativity into leadership, foster innovation across teams, and approach productivity in a more human-centered way. Natalie’s insights challenge conventional business thinking and offer a new model for leaders who want to cultivate resilience, clarity, and imagination—especially in times of rapid change. Whether you're building a business, guiding students, or leading through uncertainty, this episode is a compelling reminder that creativity is not a soft skill—it's a strategic imperative for the future of work.
👉 Learn more about Natalie’s work at Figure8Thinking.com
📘 Get her award-winning book The Creativity Leap here
🌀 Pre-order Move. Think. Rest. here
📲 Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn: @natwnixon
About CivilTalk:
At CivilTalk, we help leaders and teams grow through emotional intelligence, intentional communication, and real-world tools for human-centered leadership. Explore our resources, podcast episodes and AI Assisted ORGTALK designed to bring more civility, presence, and clarity into the workplace and beyond.
Learn more: www.civiltalk.com