Ever feel like your team meetings could put a caffeinated toddler to sleep? You’re not alone. Many workplaces struggle with a routine that makes employees feel stuck. You don’t want your team operating on autopilot. Autopilot lands planes—not groundbreaking ideas.

So, how do you shake things up without losing productivity? Let’s take a page from England rugby legend Sir Clive Woodward. His players faced gruelling workouts. But somehow, they never dreaded practice. Why? Woodward injected creativity into daily routines. He understood boredom drains motivation, focus, and performance. Your team may not tackle each other for a living, but boredom hurts your bottom line too.

Woodward constantly changed training drills. Players never knew exactly what to expect. A little uncertainty kept them alert and engaged. Imagine turning your weekly status meeting into something your team actually looks forward to. Possible? Definitely.

Start small. Let’s take meetings. Instead of the same stale agenda, introduce short, fun segments. Google famously does “stand-up” meetings, where the team literally stands up, keeping discussions quick and lively. Standing ensures no one gets too comfy and drifts off. Could your meetings benefit from this simple tweak?

You might also experiment with meeting locations. Apple often holds brainstorming sessions outdoors or in unconventional spaces. A change of scenery boosts creativity. Even a walk-and-talk around your building can spark fresh ideas. Who said great thinking only happens in boardrooms?

Next, tackle problem-solving. Doing things the same way every time dulls your team’s edge. Woodward varied drills so players could adapt during matches. Your team benefits when you change problem-solving approaches too. Try a method called the “Six Hats”—everyone views problems from different perspectives (logical, emotional, creative, etc.). It encourages people to think beyond usual habits.

When your team gets stuck, temporarily change their roles. Pixar is famous for role-swapping. Animators sometimes take on scriptwriting or vice versa. This offers fresh perspectives and empathy for other roles. In your workplace, have team members temporarily handle different tasks or departments. They’ll return re-energised with new insights.

Don’t neglect learning and development. Mix traditional training methods with innovative sessions. Woodward used interactive and hands-on exercises over standard lectures. Try hosting “Lunch-and-Learn” sessions where employees teach each other short skills. Maybe accounting shares tips on quick budgeting, while marketing offers social media hacks. This breaks monotony and builds respect across departments.

Make it fun too. Google’s “20% time” lets staff pursue passion projects. That’s how Gmail was born. Allowing people to explore their interests encourages ownership and creativity. Even setting aside one hour a week for passion projects can re-energise your team.

Now, consider daily work tasks. Woodward kept players guessing by shifting routines regularly. You can apply this too. If your team faces repetitive tasks, create playful mini-challenges. Who can finish a daily report fastest without mistakes? Or, introduce team-based competitions like “Most Creative Client Pitch of the Month”. Light-hearted challenges keep people interested and collaborative.

Encourage creative solutions. Woodward always invited player input. He valued their ideas, knowing different viewpoints could spark innovation. Do you invite your team to suggest improvements regularly? Not just annually or quarterly—make it weekly. Short “suggestion sessions” or anonymous idea boxes give employees freedom to propose creative improvements. You’ll often find simple, impactful ideas right in front of you.

Recognition matters in creativity too. Apple consistently celebrates team creativity by highlighting the most unique product ideas. Publicly recognising your team’s creativity builds confidence. Even silly awards like “Best Unusual Idea” at meetings encourage risk-taking and laughter.

How about your workspace itself? Google famously designs offices to stimulate creativity. Playful decor, comfy collaboration zones, even slides instead of stairs. You don’t need a Google-sized budget—small changes count too. Provide coloured markers and sticky notes in meeting rooms. Create a comfy breakout area for informal chats. Even playful desk decorations spark joy and creativity.

Ask yourself: How often do you genuinely encourage creative thinking? Creativity doesn’t magically appear—it needs space, encouragement, and variety. Following Woodward’s example, you can keep your team’s routines fresh. Doing so prevents burnout, inspires new ideas, and boosts morale.

Woodward’s methods remind us that work doesn’t need to feel like work all the time. Mixing things up just slightly can transform your team’s energy and enthusiasm. Imagine arriving Monday morning and seeing a team eager to dive in, smiling—even before coffee.

Curious about more ideas like these? Consider grabbing a copy of Winning The Game. You’ll discover more practical insights on building enjoyable and productive routines that your team will love. Because leadership isn’t about dragging people along—it’s about creating an environment people can’t wait to join each day.

Start today. Add a twist to tomorrow’s meeting, propose a quick role swap, or announce a playful mini-competition. Small changes build a creative culture. Your team’s productivity, happiness, and success will thank you. And who knows—you might start enjoying Mondays yourself.