Van Lai-DuMone is the founder of worksmart, a progressive team and leadership development consultancy that emphasizes creativity and experiential learning in order to enrich company culture and performance. Some of worksmart’s notable clients include the likes of Google, LinkedIn, and MeUndies. Van credits her upbringing in shaping how she sees the world. Her family moved to the US as war refugees from Vietnam and watched her parents pave a new life for themselves in an unfamiliar environment. She witnessed firsthand how creativity, curiosity, and innovation can help people improve their circumstances. Van’s 17 years of corporate and start-up experience give her the edge she needs on her journey to rewrite the way creativity is applied in the workplace. Listen in!

Timestamps:

02:00 - Starting worksmart

03:56 - Creativity in the workplace

05:51 - Being creative

07:26 - Creativity in youth

10:37 - Coaxing out creativity

12:48 - Thriving clients

15:39 - Other creative exercises

18:43 - Van’s Ted Talk

24:57 - Van’s Inspiring Mother

27:02 - Experiencing chaos

32:15 - Reframing

36:27 - Transformation

39:54 - Looking forward

43:40 - Open to possibility

45:23 - Getting in touch

46:29 - Do today’s work today

49:22 - Habits that lead to success

Links:
Worksmart: https://www.worksmartadvantage.com/

Van’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanlaidumone/