When I first started working with creative teams on brand strategy, I thought giving them total freedom was generous — a blank page, endless options, go wild!

Turns out, they hated it. The blank page wasn’t freeing; it was terrifying.

The Blank Page Panic Disappears

Once we added a few guiding themes — a purpose, a feel, a tone — everything changed. Ideas began to flow, laughter came back, and creativity soared. I learned that constraints don’t kill innovation — they ignite it.

Psychologists have found that when resources are scarce, creativity often increases because we’re forced to make new connections and use what we have in fresh ways. Constraints focus energy — and when that energy uplifts and connects, what I call Amare energy, creativity flourishes.

Leveraging Ambiguity

Leaders live this truth every day. We operate in ambiguity, making decisions without all the information we’d like. It’s uncomfortable — and it’s also what keeps leadership alive. The uncertainty can add energy, curiosity, and even a sense of adventure when met with love-fueled openness.

When Less Money Means More Creativity

Some of the greatest innovations happen when the CFO says no to more money, more people, or more time, and the team has to dig deep.

Take IKEA. Their challenge wasn’t just to make nice furniture — it was to make beautiful furniture that’s affordable. Shipping full-sized furniture was a cost trap, so they flipped the problem: flat-pack boxes, self-assembly, and minimal waste. That constraint became a global business model (and invited the world to pronounce Swedish names!).

Or Southwest Airlines. They couldn’t afford the traditional airline model with multiple plane types and first-class service. Their response: one aircraft (737s), all coach seating — plus ultra-efficient operations. Simplicity became their superpower (until they met their kryptonite; more on that here).

And in tech, look at Hugging Face, the company behind DistilBERT. Massive AI models like BERT were too expensive and slow to run, so they built a smaller, faster version that kept nearly all its intelligence. That made Hugging Face become one of the most admired open-source AI companies in the world.

The “Yes, And” Mindset

Now let’s add the second ingredient: the improv-inspired mindset of “Yes, and.”

In improv, you don’t reject your partner’s wild idea — you accept it and build on it. “Yes, we’re in a spaceship… and it’s also a bakery!” That simple rule keeps scenes alive and ideas flowing.

In business, it’s the same. Pixar’s “Braintrust” meetings run on the “Yes, and” spirit. No one shuts down ideas — they build on them. The result? Rough sketches turned into Toy Story and Finding Nemo.

Know When to Say When

“Yes, and” isn’t about saying yes to everything. Love-powered leaders know when to pivot or pause. The wisdom lies in knowing when to stop chasing an idea and start learning from it. That’s still “Yes, and” — just with humility and awareness.

GET YOUR FREE “HOW TO SAY NO” PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP GUIDE HERE. Set healthy limits with love, clarity, and confidence—and watch your leadership power grow. SHARE IT TOO.

Mirror – Reflection Questions

• What small irritations or misalignments have you tried to live with?
• What payoff do you get from tolerating them—and what’s the cost?
• What would freedom look like if you stopped pretending “it’s fine”?

Door Into Action – 5 Steps to Embrace Constraints

1. Embrace constraints. Define a few creative boundaries — they focus imagination.

2. Practice “Yes, and.” Try five minutes of additive thinking in your next team meeting. No “buts” allowed.

3. Spot Amare energy. Watch for moments when your team lights up — that’s your creative flow.

4. Welcome uncertainty. Treat not knowing as an adventure, not a flaw.

5. Celebrate creative courage. Recognize both breakthroughs and graceful exits.

Amare Team Talk

At your next meeting, run a quick ‘Yes, And’ session around a real challenge. Build on each idea for five minutes, then reflect on what shifted — in energy, ideas, and connection.

Your Innovation Challenge

If innovation had a dating profile, it would say: “Likes: limits, laughter, and love. Dislikes: endless budgets and buzzwords.” Less clutter, more connection.

When you and your team bring curiosity, trust, and Amare energy to what’s already in your hands, the ordinary turns extraordinary.

Love-powered leaders don’t wait for perfect conditions — they create them. So when the next “no” arrives — no more budget, no more time, no more certainty — take a breath and smile. You might be standing at the starting line of something remarkable.

Big Amare!

–Moshe

Today’s Amare Wave Wednesday Quote

“Creativity loves constraints.” 

— Marissa Mayer, CEO of Dazzle and former CEO of Yahoo

   

GET YOUR FREE “HOW TO SAY NO” LEADERSHIP GUIDE.  | SHARE IT TOO!

Click here and read more Amare Wave Wednesday newsletters on related topics:

What to Do When Things are Falling Apart: Here are 5 Highly Effective Steps To Take

5 Amare Steps to Revive the Spirit of Your Organization: A Leadership Essential

Intuition, Instinct, and Fear: A Leader’s Guide to Knowing the Difference and Choosing Wisely

The Hard and Soft of Great Leadership: Mastering Dualities in Business

Stop It: A Leadership Lesson in Getting Better By Letting Go of What No Longer Works

   

Original article published on Inc.com.