Want More Creative Ideas? Stop Saying This.

The six most dangerous words a leader can say are: “That’s the way it’s always been.” This phrase has quietly killed more innovation, motivation, and creativity than any competitor ever could. It signals to your team that new ideas aren’t welcome and that the status quo matters more than progress. The moment leaders start relying on “how things have always been,” they shut the door on “what could be.”

Today’s top-performing organizations thrive because they keep their innovation engine alive — and that engine runs on one key fuel: psychological safety.

According to a ResearchGate study of over 19,000 employees, workers who felt psychologically safe were significantly more likely to contribute creative solutions to workplace challenges. When people feel safe, happy, and heard, their minds open up. They take risks, challenge outdated processes, and offer ideas that could redefine what’s possible.

Why “That’s the Way It’s Always Been” Is a Creativity Killer

When leaders cling to tradition out of comfort, they unknowingly send a message of resistance: Innovation isn’t needed here. But innovation is the lifeblood of growth. Every new product, improved system, or breakthrough solution starts with someone daring to ask, “What if we did this differently?”

Teams led by open-minded leaders are more agile, more engaged, and far more likely to discover creative breakthroughs. Those led by “legacy logic” leaders? They stagnate. And in today’s fast-moving business world, stagnation is just a slow form of failure.

How to Keep the Innovation Engine Alive

1. Invite Challenges, Don’t Defend Tradition.
   Instead of shutting down ideas with “that’s not how we do things,” try asking, “What could make this idea work?” This subtle shift turns a barrier into a bridge for creativity.
2. Build Psychological Safety.
   Harvard researcher Amy Edmondson defines psychological safety as a climate where people feel free to speak up without fear of embarrassment or punishment. As a leader, model curiosity, admit mistakes, and celebrate risk-taking — even when ideas flop. That’s how trust is built.
3. Recognize and Reward Innovation.
   When someone shares an idea — big or small — acknowledge it. Recognition is rocket fuel for creative momentum. Teams that feel seen will keep showing up with fresh thinking.
4. Stay Curious and Keep Learning.
   The best leaders are lifelong learners. They ask questions, explore new tools, and encourage their teams to do the same. Curiosity keeps organizations young, even when they’re decades old.

Leadership isn’t about protecting the past; it’s about unlocking the future. Every time you replace “That’s the way it’s always been” with “Let’s explore what’s possible,” you breathe new life into your team’s creativity.

The next billion-dollar idea might already be sitting in your meeting room — waiting for permission to be spoken. Give your people that permission. Create a culture where they feel safe, happy, and heard.

Because when they do, the ideas will start to flow — and your organization’s innovation engine will never run out of fuel.