Let's Spark Something

I recently caught up with a colleague, no agenda, no objective, just a good conversation. But somewhere in the middle of that exchange, something shifted. Ideas started to flow, energy picked up, and suddenly we were co-creating possibilities we hadn’t even planned to discuss.

The experience stuck with me.

Curious about what had just clicked, I dug into old notes, books I’ve loved, and even asked a few AI tools to help unpack it. What I found is something called cognitive resonance (or sometimes creative resonance or collective ideation): that spontaneous, electric spark that happens when curious, compatible minds start thinking out loud, together.

Here’s what I learned… 🧠✨👇

What is it?

This phenomenon is often referred to as:

• Collective flow – where a group enters a shared state of heightened focus and creativity.

• Cognitive resonance – when individuals’ ideas, values, or curiosities align, creating mutual stimulation.

• Generative dialogue – conversations that not only exchange ideas but give rise to new ones, often unpredictably.

  
  

At its core, it's about psychological safety + intellectual stimulation + shared intent. The magic happens when people feel safe, energized, and connected around possibility.

Why does it seem to happen without planning or knowing the outcome?

• Shared curiosity, not control. These conversations often start with genuine curiosity, not an agenda. That openness creates space for exploration.

• Implicit trust. When you're with people who "get it," your brain relaxes its filters, allowing freer expression and novel connections.

• Emergence. Ideas behave like ecosystems. You don’t “make” them grow; you create the right conditions, and they emerge.

This is why serendipity often plays a role. The environment, people, and moment align just right and suddenly, you’re off to the races.

How can you do this more purposefully?

You can’t force magic, but you can invite it. I’m thinking through ideas of how to create consistent forums for likeminded people in my network to engage in this way. I’d love to hear from some of you who value this type of interaction.

How do you foster meaningful, idea-rich conversations in your world?

Drop a comment or message me. Let’s spark something.

-Violet Herin, President & CEO of Projé, Inc.