This inquiry-based professional development programming helps teams break free from habitual thinking, strengthen collaboration across silos, and build the creative confidence needed to navigate complexity with clarity and momentum. 

Grounded in the Reynolds Center’s long-standing work at the intersection of creativity, learning, and human connection, these experiences create the conditions for teams to imagine better paths forward and act on them together.

Through highly structured and deeply engaging sessions, participants interact in small groups, face challenges, and reflect collectively. Teams practice scenario-thinking, adaptive problem-solving, and constructive feedback, while building trust and accountability.

We customize programs to meet your organization’s needs, whether you are seeking a full day off-site or you have a handful of hours each quarter for professional development.

Based on a needs assessment, we will customize a program for your organization. This format balances depth with accessibility and positions the series as a meaningful investment rather than a one-off workshop.

Here’s what to expect…

• Duration: 2–3 hours per event; full-day experiences are also available

• Format: in person or online, limited to 20 participants (larger groups may be accommodated upon request for an additional fee)

Approach: Inquiry-based, highly facilitated, small-group centered

Here are some of the methodologies we incorporate into our professional development programming: 

• LEGO® Serious Play® is used to engage groups in hands-on, highly structured exploration of topics ranging from identity and leadership to strategy, collaboration, and problem solving.

• Structured storytelling is supported through the “Who You Are Matters!” conversation experience and the Online Storyteller by OneLifeTools. This facilitated approach strengthens communication and feedback skills while providing a clear structure for reflecting on lived experience, extracting insight, and identifying meaningful possibilities for action.

• CliftonStrengths® by Gallup helps individual contributors and managers identify and intentionally use their strengths to improve effectiveness, collaboration, and long-term growth.

• Everything DiSC® by Wiley is a research-based, validated assessment that helps individuals and teams understand their communication styles, work preferences, and behavioral tendencies. It creates a shared language that strengthens self-awareness, improves collaboration, and supports more productive, respectful working relationships.

• The Five Behaviors® is a team development framework, developed by Wiley and based on the work of Patrick Lencioni, a business author and consultant known for his book The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. It helps teams strengthen trust, engage in productive conflict, build commitment, hold one another accountable, and stay focused on collective results.

Creative Kaizen Company Retreats - for over 30 years, we have used a Kaizen approach (‘small steps’) to harvest creative innovations, celebrate what is working, identify areas for improvements, and imagine solutions.

Group workshops may be supplemented by executive coaching to accelerate growth and progress.

• Erica Mattison, MPA, JD is an executive coach andfacilitator who partners with leaders and teams to strengthen adaptability, collaboration, and human-centered performance. Her engaging approach helps people clarify their goals and achieve meaningful progress. She is the host of the Conversations with Erica podcast and author of “Clarifying What Matters.”

• Peter H. Reynolds is New York Times #1 best-selling author/illustrator of over 80 “picture books for all ages,” including The Dot. This book was the inspiration for International Dot Day, which encourages positive, purposeful creativity across the age span.  Since its launch, more than 34 million children and adults have participated in over 190 countries. 

• Paul Reynolds is co-founder/CEO of FableVision Studios and helped found the nonprofit the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning & Creativity. He also teaches digital media production at Boston College, where he has served as adjunct faculty for over three decades. Paul is also an award-winning children's book author (Going Places, STEAM-Powered Adventures of Sydney & Simon, Full STEAM Ahead!, Go Green!, To the Moon!) - and Our Treasures Within, which he co-authored with Pope Francis.

Creativity Works – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Creativity Works?

Creativity Works is a corporate/organizational professional development series designed to help teams think more creatively, collaborate more effectively, and adapt more confidently in a rapidly changing workplace. It blends structured facilitation with real-world problem-solving so teams don’t just talk about innovation, they practice it together.

Who is this program for?

This program is ideal for organizations, leadership teams, and cross-functional groups that want to:

• Break out of siloed thinking

• Strengthen collaboration and trust

• Build a more adaptive, forward-looking culture

Whether your team is navigating change, scaling growth, or simply feeling stuck in unhelpful patterns, Creativity Works meets you where you are.

What makes Creativity Works different from typical professional development?

Most professional development lives in slides. Creativity Works lives in the room.

Participants actively engage in:

• Small-group dialogue across roles and perspectives

• Structured reflection that supports intentional action

It’s designed to be psychologically safe, deeply engaging, and immediately applicable, not theoretical.

What outcomes can we expect?

Organizations typically  experience:

• Stronger cross-team relationships

• Greater openness to new ideas

• Increased confidence in navigating ambiguity

• More agile and collaborative decision-making

Teams don’t just learn new skills, they start working differently.

How is the program structured?

Each program is customized based on your organization’s needs, but a typical structure includes:

• 4 sessions (recommended)

• 2-3 hours per session

• Cohorts of up to 20 participants

• Delivered in-person or online

Sessions are highly interactive and built around inquiry, collaboration, and practical application.

Can the program be customized?

Absolutely. Creativity Works is designed to flex.

Whether you’re planning:

• A full-day off-site

• A quarterly leadership series

• A targeted team experience

We tailor the content, pacing, and focus to align with your goals and challenges.

What happens during a session?

Think of each session as a kind of creative lab.

Participants:

• Work in intentionally mixed small groups

• Explore real challenges facing the organization

• Practice adaptive problem-solving and feedback

• Reflect together to turn insight into action

It’s structured enough to guide progress, but open enough to spark genuine discovery.

Who are the facilitators?

Creativity Works is led by a unique trio:

• Erica Mattison, MPA, JD – Executive coach and facilitator specializing in adaptability, communication, and collaboration

• Peter H. Reynolds – New York Times #1 bestselling author/illustrator of The Dot and a global advocate for creativity

• Paul Reynolds – Co-founder of FableVision Studios, educator, and creative leader focused on storytelling and innovation

Together, they bring a rare blend of practical strategy, creative insight, and real-world experience.

Is this programming only for creative industries?

Not at all. Creativity Works is designed for any organization navigating complexity.

Creativity here isn’t about art supplies. It’s about thinking differently, solving problems, and working better together. This is needed across industries including finance, healthcare, tech, education, government, and creative industries.

How many people can participate?

Each cohort typically includes a maximum of 20 participants to ensure meaningful interaction. For larger organizations, for an additional fee, we can work with you to accommodate more participants.

Do you offer virtual sessions?

Yes. The program can be delivered:

• In person

• Fully virtual

• Hybrid experience

Each format is designed to be highly engaging and interactive.

How do we get started?

It begins with a conversation. We’ll work with you to understand your goals, challenges, and team dynamics, then design a program that fits.

📩 Contact: info@reynoldsTLC.org