Throughout my four-decade career, as an author of over 100 books, and a professor of education, I have been driven to understand the behaviors of the most creative people. Everyone is capable of innovative thinking. Without realizing it, many of the common habits of the most creative minds were things you probably did in your childhood. Some of these impulses become stronger as you enter the workforce.

There’s no perfect formula when it comes to success, but there are ways leaders can encourage growth through small steps every day. Growth is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort and dedication, but little steps soon add up to big results.

A study by MIT Sloan Management Review shows that toxic corporate culture is the top predictor of employee turnover. In fact, it’s 10 times more important than compensation. Salary didn’t even make the top five predictors.

Let's all collectively acknowledge that the last 20 months have not been a walk in the park. A global pandemic, loss of jobs, social and racial unrest, political division, vaccine mandates, our own personal tragedies, and the list goes on and on.