MTA + VKCI
When it comes to problem-solving, creativity isn’t just for designers or artists - it’s in the way we approach everyday challenges. That’s exactly what we set out to explore in our first stateside Van Kessel Creativity Index workshop, hosted in collaboration with the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Accessibility Department.
The goal? To help participants uncover their creative superpowers, reframe creativity as problem-solving, and give them the tools to communicate their ideas in ways that truly resonate.
Date 22 January 2025
Hosts Roosmarijn van Kessel & Matt Beauchamp Buck
Participants 8 team members
Location Zoom + NYC and Amsterdam
How It Started
This workshop came to life after a chance meeting between Roosmarijn and a team member from the MTA at an event in New York. The department was looking for ways to support career growth and professional development, and creativity - though not often recognised as a workplace skill - was a perfect fit.
By understanding their creative styles and how different thinking approaches shape problem-solving, participants could gain new ways to collaborate and share ideas effectively in their work.
Preparation & Setting the Stage
One Week Before.
Pre-Workshop Assessment & Reflection
A week prior to the workshop, we sent out an email introducing the session and inviting participants to complete their
Van Kessel Creativity Index assessment. This would help them discover their creative style before the session and give them
a shared foundation to work from.
Two Days Before.
Personalised Results & Insights
To deepen participants' understanding of their creative styles, two days before the workshop we sent each team member a personalised breakdown of their results. This went beyond their primary creative type, giving them insights into their subtype and additional traits - something we typically provide for customers.
These emails helped participants enter the workshop with a deeper understanding of themselves, making the session more meaningful right from the start.
Workshop Design & Approach
To make this session as relevant and engaging as possible, we tailored the workshop specifically for the MTA team.
Exercises were framed around transport and accessibility challenges,
ensuring that creativity felt directly applicable to their work.
Creativity was positioned as problem-solving, showing how even the smallest everyday actions, like loading a dishwasher or reading a spreadsheet are creative acts.
"By creating the VKCI, we wanted to demonstrate that a creative mindset, when properly embraced and understood, can seamlessly integrate into diverse work environments. It has the power to inject fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to problem-solving."
We introduced the concept of 'open and closed thinking modes’ to help them structure their brainstorming and decision-making processes.
"Open mode is where creativity thrives. It’s a relaxed, curious, and an exploration state of mind that lets you play with ideas without fear of judgment. Closed mode, on the other hand, is where you focus and execute ideas."
Participant Engagement & Key Moments
From the very start, the MTA team was highly engaged, bringing unique perspectives on what creativity means to them.
Initially not seeing certain traits as creative—when asked about their problem-solving habits, they recognised creative traits in their daily lives. One participant noted how they see creativity in breaking down big ideas into structured steps, while another reflected on how different creative types approach the same challenge in unique ways.
One of the most interactive exercises focused on problem-solving how to provide tickets for pets on public transport.
Participants approached this through the lens of their creative types, leading to incredibly thoughtful and innovative solutions.
Key Takeaways
The workshop painted a new perspective for creativity.
One that it isn’t just an abstract talent, but a structured way of thinking that can be identified, refined, and applied.
One participant put it best when asked if they had uncovered anything new about themselves:
"Yes. I really enjoyed how the different types of creatives could take something - a problem or a challenge - and find different ways to think/tackle/solve it."
When asked about what recognising their creative style meant, another recognised something they had inside already:
"... My ability to see big picture ideas and break things down."
What We Learned & What’s Next
If there’s one thing we’d do differently, it’s setting aside more time. The questions we asked sparked such deep discussions that we quickly realised a second group activity would have made the session even stronger.
The impact of this workshop goes far beyond a single session. By understanding how to phrase their ideas and structure their thinking, participants walked away with a toolkit for tackling problems with more clarity and confidence.
Why This Matters for Other Teams
If you’re considering a workshop like this, here’s what you should know:
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You’ll learn a lot about yourself. Not just in terms of creativity, but in how you naturally solve problems.
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You’ll experience moments of discomfort. But in that discomfort, you’ll find confidence in your own creative abilities.
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You’ll walk away with phrases, tools, and a mindset shift that helps you communicate and collaborate more effectively.
This workshop was a guide to uncovering your creative superpowers. Because of course, every great idea starts with you.
