EPISODE · May 18, 2026 · 16 MIN
Leyla Novini - Creativity Quotient, Designer, Storyteller, Leader, Ep. 540
from Take it from the Ironwoman · host Leyla Novini, Susanne Mueller
Leyla Novini is an entrepreneur and founder of The Creativity Quotient, offering one-on-one and group coaching for creative professionals. As a Creative Life Coach, she empowers passionate individuals to reconnect with their creativity, overcome self-doubt, and design a life that reflects their true artistic spirit. With a blend of intuitive guidance and practical strategy, she helps clients break through blocks and bring their creative visions to life, whether they're changing careers, launching a creative business, or simply craving more inspiration and fulfillment in their work. With an extensive career in the tech industry, she has held roles specializing in marketing, photo editing, and user experience design. Creativity drives the inspiration in her work and has enabled her to navigate successfully throughout her career. She received her MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design and her Bachelor's degree in Music Business from Hofstra University. In her spare time, Leyla loves to play the clarinet in community wind ensembles and orchestras and take improv classes. Follow her journey: https://leylanovini.com/ instagram: The_Creativity_Quotient ***********Finalist "Women in Cloud - Podcast of the YEAR" - #empowHERaccess Global Prestige Awards 2026Susanne Mueller / www.susannemueller.biz TEDX Talk, May 2022: Running and Life: 5KM Formula for YOUR Successhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT_5Er1cLvY Join Substack: https://substack.com/@susannemuellernyc?Enjoy one coaching session for free if you are a yearly subscriber. 800+ weekly blogs / 500+ podcasts / 1 Ironman Triathlon / 5 half ironman races / 26 marathon races / 4 books / 1 Mt. Kilimanjaro / 1 TEDx Talk
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What this episode covers
Who is Leyla? 🎵 Music → Tech → Coaching Started in the music industry (childhood dream), earned an MFA from Parsons in Design & Technology, then built a career in UX/product design before founding her coaching practice. 🎶 Classically trained clarinetist Playing since age 6, still active in community orchestras and wind ensembles like the Manhattan Wind Ensemble (~90 people). 📷 Landscape photographer; she travels with a camera, photographs cities and nature, and sells her work. 💼 Her Coaching Work: She serves creative professionals — designers, artists, musicians, writers, product/tech workers — who feel like "unconventional people in conventional environments." 🔍 What clients bring: Career transitions, decisions about staying vs. leaving roles, confidence struggles, desire to start a business, or needing a career break to rediscover themselves. ✨ Her approach: Guides clients back to their authentic core, highlights their unique strengths, and helps them communicate those strengths — without "selling their soul." 🎼 Lessons from Music & Improvisation: 👂Deep listening Playing in an ensemble means constantly balancing — ears and eyes always engaged. She applies this to coaching: active listening drives client breakthroughs. 🤝Collaboration without words: In small ensembles, musicians cue each other with eye contact alone. In business, this translates to reading people and collaborating beyond what's spoken. 🎭Improv = on-the-spot creativity; Improv classes dramatically improved her speaking, elaboration, and listening skills — all transferable to coaching and entrepreneurship. 🌟 Key Takeaways 💡Be authentic: Don't lose yourself fitting into a mold — authenticity is the foundation of a sustainable career. 🎧Listen more deeply In a fast world, slowing down to truly listen — like following music — is a competitive advantage. 🌐Community matters Layla stays in group environments herself (ICF, wealth walks, her own coach) — practicing what she preaches for entrepreneurs.
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Leyla Novini - Creativity Quotient, Designer, Storyteller, Leader, Ep. 540
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