Many people today want more from their careers. They don't just want to work hard. They want their work to feel meaningful and creative. More companies are seeing the value of creativity in the workplace. It helps teams solve problems, share ideas, and build trust.
However, learning to bring creativity into work can be hard, especially in traditional roles. This raises an important question: how can we grow our careers while staying creative?
In this article, we learn from Van Lai-DuMone, the Founder & CEO of worksmart Advantage. She brings creativity and curiosity into leadership training. Van's story started when she arrived in the United States as a refugee from Vietnam. Her family's journey shaped her strength and values.
She followed a traditional academic path, earning an MBA and working in corporate roles. Over time, she made bold career shifts that led her to start her own business. Today, she helps people use creative tools to grow, work together, and feel included.
In this article, we will explore how Van's early life, family lessons, and career changes shaped her path. We will also learn how small actions, creative habits, and curiosity can support career growth through creativity.
Van Lai-DuMone’s life changed when her family fled Vietnam in 1975 during the fall of Saigon. Her father, a South Vietnamese Air Force lieutenant colonel, helped them escape despite damaged runways.
They arrived in the United States and stayed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. After a few months, they moved to Hope Village, a refugee camp in Northern California.
At Hope Village, actress Tippi Hedren offered help to the women. She noticed their interest in her manicured nails. Instead of ignoring them, she acted:
Later, Tippi drove Van’s mother around Santa Monica to help her find her first job. This support gave the family a strong start and hope for their future.
Van learned to work hard, stay strong, and put family first. Her parents believed in following a safe and steady career. Her father faced many challenges. Once a respected officer, he now stood outside stores looking for work. Losing his role and status was tough.
At home, her father shared stories in family meetings. He spoke while everyone listened. He wanted to teach strength and lessons through his words. The meetings felt strict, leaving little room for questions.
Van followed the path her parents set:
She started as a biology major at UC Santa Barbara. After struggling, she switched to psychology. Later, she earned an MBA at Pepperdine University, hoping it would please her family.
After her MBA, Van worked for Score Educational Centers, owned by The Washington Post. She became a regional manager in San Diego. Even with success, she wondered if this was her own path.
After earning her MBA, Van Lai-DuMone became COO of Body Glove’s women’s activewear startup at 27. The title sounded impressive, but she soon realized the role didn’t fit her. This became her first big career shift, pushing her to explore new paths.
During this time, Van faced personal and work struggles. She went through breakups and career setbacks. Without a clear sense of self, she often thought, “How did I create this?” Instead of blaming others, she took responsibility.
Every setback taught her to stand back up. Watching her parents rebuild their lives gave her the strength to keep going.
Van later worked in sales and training for a pharmaceutical company. At the same time, she opened a ballet barre studio with a coworker. It started with three classes, then:
Her life moved fast. She got married, bought a house, and had a baby. When her son was eight weeks old, her brother survived a serious motorcycle crash.
He spent two months in a coma. The family didn’t know if he would live, see, or walk again. Thankfully, he recovered and returned to police work.
This crisis made Van rethink her life. Walking hospital halls with her newborn, she asked, “What example do I want to set?” She realized she had waited too long to follow her dream.
She left her job to start a business focused on bringing creativity into workplaces. Her goal was to help others feel seen, creative, and valued—especially those who couldn’t leave their jobs.
Bringing creativity into the workplace helps everyone feel included. One helpful tool is LEGO Serious Play. This method follows a simple rule: everyone builds, shares, and participates.
It makes sure no one sits back while others lead. Instead, it gives every person a chance to speak and be heard.
When leaders take part, it sends a strong message. It shows that their ideas matter just as much as anyone else’s. This helps break down walls between leaders and teams. People feel safer to speak up and share new ideas. Over time, this builds trust and stronger teamwork.
Trying to convince people who resist creativity can waste time. It’s better to focus on those who already value new ideas. These people are more likely to take action and help change happen.
As more teams see the benefits, others may grow curious and join in. This natural growth can help creativity spread across the company.
Following curiosity doesn’t need to feel big or hard. It starts with small steps. You can use three simple actions to guide yourself or your team:
Each small step builds momentum and shows progress. These steps also help people gain confidence as they try new things.
When teams follow curiosity, they find fresh answers and better solutions. This approach supports learning, problem-solving, and teamwork. It creates a workplace where people feel safe to think, try, and share.
Bringing creativity into life can start small. It might be taking a class, picking up a hobby, or trying something new.
For example, learning stained glass may begin as a curiosity but soon become a passion. By following these small interests, you open doors to joy and learning.
Dreams like having a farm full of rescue animals or creating an art studio start with simple ideas. It helps to picture what you want clearly.
Think about the space, the animals, or the art you hope to create. Then, talk to others for advice or ideas. Each talk can lead to new paths you had not considered.
Staying grounded is important when life feels heavy or busy. Small habits can help you stay calm and focused.
These may include:
These simple steps can clear your mind and lower stress. They also help you stay steady when challenges come. Another helpful tool is writing down your thoughts to shift how you see a problem.
Start by listing the situation and your first reaction. Then, ask yourself what else could be true. This practice can ease worry and bring a new way of thinking.
Big ideas can feel scary or too far away. The key is to start small. Instead of waiting for the perfect time, take one simple step. It could be asking a question or looking something up.
Each small move builds progress. Over time, you’ll feel more sure and ready. This steady path helps you grow your ideas while keeping the process clear and joyful.
Van Lai-DuMone’s journey shows how small actions can lead to big change. She followed her curiosity, even during hard times. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, she took simple steps.
Each one helped her grow and find what felt right. Her story reminds us that we don’t need the full plan. We just need to start. Bringing creativity into work helps people feel seen and valued.
It builds trust and makes space for new ideas. Van learned this through her path. She turned hard moments into chances to try again. That made her stronger and more sure of herself.
Career growth through creativity doesn’t need to feel complex. It starts with one choice, one idea, or one small habit. Over time, those choices shape a path that feels true. This way, we can build a career that feels both steady and meaningful.
Introverts can achieve career growth through creativity through quiet reflection, writing, or solo projects. These tools help share ideas without pressure to speak up in groups.
No, you can start small creative projects within your current role. Creativity does not always mean big changes or risks.
Yes, creative thinking can improve problem-solving, processes, and teamwork in any field, even technical roles.
A mentor can guide you to explore new ideas, give feedback, and help you stay confident as you try creative approaches.
Failure helps you learn and grow. Each setback offers a chance to adjust, try again, and build new skills.
