Episode Details

What happens to our creativity as we grow up—and what happens when we bring that mindset into the workplace?

In this episode of Thought Atlas, I sit down with Adam Kingl, an author, educator, advisor, and speaker whose work explores leadership, creativity, culture, the future of work, and performance.

Originally from the United States and raised in Silicon Valley, Adam moved to London in 1999. His career has included media and entertainment, strategy, marketing, consulting, and executive education. He worked at London Business School for almost 10 years as Executive Director of Learning and Thought Leadership and now teaches and directs executive education programs.

We begin by exploring how the relationship between employees and organizations is changing. Adam discusses his research suggesting that many workers are no longer expecting to remain with one employer for a decade or more. He explains why this creates challenges for organizations whose structures depend on long-term employee relationships.

From there, we explore purpose. Adam argues that organizations need to do more than communicate a purpose statement. Leaders need to help employees understand how organizational purpose connects to their own goals—and demonstrate that purpose through the choices, priorities, and trade-offs the organization makes.

The conversation then turns to creativity.

Adam challenges the idea that creativity is something people either have or don’t have. He discusses a creativity study involving children and argues that education and workplace systems can gradually discourage the creative behaviors people demonstrate when they are young.

So how can organizations become more creative?

Adam believes the answer isn’t simply hiring a few highly creative people. Instead, organizations need environments where creativity can thrive through culture, systems, incentives, conversations, and everyday habits. He explains why simply hiring a “chief creative officer” may send the wrong message to everyone else.

We then discuss his book, Executive Eats. Adam explains that the idea emerged from conversations with executives about what gets in the way of their performance. He noticed that the answers increasingly focused on physical concerns such as energy, concentration, mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

Co-authored with Dr. Jakub Radzikowski, Executive Eats is structured around 10 states or conditions. Each chapter discusses the business case, relevant science and nutrients, ingredients, and recipes. The book contains 100 recipes.

Adam also explains why he sees cooking as more than simply preparing food. He discusses how cooking can become a mindful activity through movement, learning, and focus.

The conversation then moves into one of the biggest questions of the AI era: What does it mean to be human?

Adam points to inspiration, creativity, connection, empathy, curiosity, conversation, and community as important aspects of human contribution. He also discusses why philosophy can be valuable in an AI-driven environment, because philosophical study develops critical thinking, questioning, and structured reasoning.

Finally, we explore how childhood experiences shape our assumptions about work, leadership, community, and society—and why Adam believes curiosity is essential in a rapidly changing world.

His advice is simple: don’t assume you have all the answers. Keep asking questions, remain willing to adapt, and approach the future with a beginner’s mind.

CONNECT WITH ADAM KINGL

Website: adamkingl.com

Adam says his website includes articles, podcasts, videos, and information about his books. He also says listeners can find him on LinkedIn by searching his name.

His books include Next Generation Leadership, Sparking Success, and Executive Eats.

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