Helping leaders and teams
stuck in habitual thinking
find new, creative solutions
It's difficult to generate game-changing ideas using the same habits of thinking we've always used. With the right knowledge, though, everyone can solve problems creatively.
Every team has a sweet spot for how to come up with creative ideas. It’s not always apparent, but once leaders know how to help their team solve problems creatively, services, products, and internal systems become much more effective.
Ellia's unique blend of experience and expertise means she provides thought-provoking views and practical tips on different aspects of leadership and team building. In her talks, she also offers real-world examples of how thinking differently benefits organizations, along with specific advice and tools for supporting a culture of creative thinking and innovation.
Ellia’s significant experience as a manager in US and UK nonprofits, along with her passion for social-impact and sustainability organizations, makes her the ideal speaker for events with these audiences. Her experience working with entrepreneurs means she’s also an impactful speaker for events aimed at businesses making a difference in their community.
Here’s what your audience will learn from hearing Ellia speak:
WHEN is the right time to bring creative thinking into their organization or team?
How creative thinking can TRANSFORM their organization
How CULTURE impacts innovation
Ways that Nonprofits can be INTENTIONALLY innovative
A creative thinking activity they can begin using RIGHT AWAY
How facilitating team-based creative thinking makes managers BETTER LEADERS
Choose what works best for your audience:
1-Hour Workshops
Half or Full Day Seminars
Small Group Events
Virtual and Live
Ready to Book Ellia as a Speaker?
Signature Talks
Presentations from The Potential Center® can be delivered either virtually or onsite.
How to Successfully Create an Innovation Culture
Nonprofits, social enterprises, and emerging sustainability sector companies know that obtaining budget for new projects is not easy. Ellia shows it’s possible to significantly develop ideas before needing budget, and how a culture of innovation supports organizational growth.
How Organizations Can Have Inspiration on Tap
Many people think you have to be born with the creative thinking gene – not true! Learn techniques for setting up, running, and evaluating output from ideating sessions in a way that leads to valuable new solutions.
Creative Thinking as a Business Transformation Tool
The World Economic Forum cites creative thinking as THE most important skill for workers in 2023. Leaders learn 3 strategies to facilitate creative thinking in their team, bring fun into the “work-playce”, and drive business transformation.
External Podcasts, Presentations, Articles, and Courses
TEDx UCSB: The Solution is in the Problem (link forthcoming)
Engaging Virtual Meetings: From why silly ideas work to using VR for training
Wickedly Smart Women: Making business decisions with creative problem-solving
Simplify Creative Problem-Solving and Innovation: On the power of creative problem solving
Deep Dive: Coaching for Creatives: On how creatives and analytics co-exist
Impact Makers: On simplifying creative problem-solving
Influencing Internal Stakeholders masterclass for SUCCEED
Epic Vision Zone: On creativity, business resilience, and why brainstorming works
Helping People Perform podcast: On the US Congress, Shark Tank, and the value of constraints
Jens Heitland’s Innovation Culture Coding podcast: How a solar company might design new products
Quoted in Businessing.com, Best advice for Solopreneurs
Practical Outcomes
"I’m currently trying to figure out how to get my engineers more involved with the marketing/business development process and have been doing some brainstorming with them. The Brainstorming Blueprint session really made me think about how I'm going to measure the outcomes after I’ve given them tools and ideas for engaging clients. Thank you for sharing your info!"
- Keri D, Marketing Manager
Relevant and Engaging Presentations
“Ellia was a regular presenter at our UK fundraising conferences. Her topics were always relevant, her presentation style was warm and involving, and delegates received lots of useful information and advice. Top qualities: expert, high integrity, creative.”
— Kevin Kibble, Publisher, Professional Fundraising Magazine
Practical Approaches to Use Every Day
"This seminar gave me creative and practical approaches that I can use to address problems and improve my performance. You are an excellent speaker; knowledgeable, interesting and helpful. Highly recommended!"
– CAFOD participant, UK, “Using Creativity to Improve Performance”
Great Energy And Passion
“Systematic Inspiration" was a great topic for our lunch and learn, and relevant to all the changes our field has been going through. You reinforced the importance of engaging in the creative process and gave us some new things to think about. We also enjoyed your energy and passion, which came shining through the screen!”
— Women in Environment, Seattle
Meet Your Presenter,
Ellia Harris, Creative Thinking Expert
An expert in creative problem-solving and creating cultures of innovation, Ellia Harris works with managers, business owners, and their teams to get them out of habitual thinking so they can find the creative solutions they couldn't see before.
The creator of Light Bulb Thinking™, Ellia's 10+ years’ experience as an organizational trainer and coach, and her own experience as a manager seeking a creative approach to leadership, has led to her expertise in using creative thinking as the fastest route to becoming an effective leader of a high-performing team. In an era when the world needs us to be at the top of our game, this is more crucial than ever.