Creating Space for Innovation: What Leaders Can Learn from the Film Industry

applicable practices conscious leadership emotional endurance heather mcgonigal mindful leadership self leadership team empowerment

Film team testing and preparing for filming- Empowering Leadership Teams

"Creativity doesn't come naturally in the space of constant doing; it needs spaciousness."

I recently came across a concept from filmmaker Ava DuVernay that I can’t stop thinking about. It’s called soft prep, and it’s reshaping how I think about leadership, creativity, and innovation.

In filmmaking, soft prep is the phase before official pre-production. It’s a time when ideas are explored, creative vision is nurtured, and possibilities are tested without the pressure to execute. And while it comes from the film world, it applies beautifully to business and leadership.

In many fast-paced work environments, we skip this phase entirely. We rush into execution, driven by timelines, deliverables, and a sense of urgency. But that constant drive to produce might be cutting off our best ideas before they have a chance to form.

That’s where soft prep comes in.

Soft prep is the space where creativity takes root. It’s the quiet, curious time before a project officially begins. It’s a chance to gather inspiration, see what others are doing, explore what lights you up, and let your ideas breathe. There is no pressure to land on a perfect solution. You are simply giving space for creative thought to emerge.

And here’s something I’ve seen proven again and again over the past decade of coaching leaders:
Creativity flourishes with space.

Yes, innovative ideas can show up during busy, high-pressure moments. But some of the most meaningful breakthroughs happen when we pause. When we take a step back.
Go for a walk in nature, and the solution to a challenge you’ve been sitting with for weeks might drop in with clarity and ease.

This is why I love the concept of soft prep. And the leaders I coach have come to love it too. They are often relieved to have a name for that undefined space before a plan takes shape. They’re grateful to give themselves permission to explore and be inspired without immediately shifting into “How will I implement this?”

One client, a marketing director, created quarterly sessions where the only agenda was to brainstorm and explore. Nothing needed to be executed right away. It was a space to toss around ideas and see what sparked. And it led to some of their most successful campaigns.

I’ve seen finance leaders tap into new ways of telling powerful stories with data. I’ve seen operations managers come up with more efficient systems, not by grinding harder, but by giving themselves time to look at problems from a fresh angle.

Soft prep doesn’t slow execution. It sharpens it.
When ideas have space to form and deepen, the action that follows is more focused, aligned, and effective.

If you’re a leader feeling stuck or running on empty, ask yourself this: Where can you give yourself or your team more space to explore, wonder, and be inspired before jumping into action?

👉🏾 If you’re ready to revive your creativity in leadership and give yourself permission to approach things differently, I’d love to connect.

Schedule a complimentary Coffee Chat with me, Coach Heather, and let’s explore what might shift when you create more space for inspiration to lead the way.