Christina Gerakiteys is in the business of opening hearts and minds to possibility. As Chief Enabler and CEO of Ideation At Work, she is an innovation and creativity consultant and trainer.
Christina Gerakiteys is in the business of opening hearts and minds to possibility. As Chief Enabler and CEO of Ideation At Work, she is an innovation and creativity consultant and trainer. Ideation At Work exists to increase the capacity of creativity and innovation in every organisation, individual, SME and corporation the business works with.
Ideation At Work began as a sole trader business almost four years ago and quickly moved to company status two years later. Growth came through defining the ‘why’ or the purpose of the business. Ideation At Work now services clients up and down the east coast. Christina is constantly looking to create opportunities and make connections. Some of them turn into exciting projects and others don’t.
No two days are the same for Christina. She usually wakes up at 5:30 am, grabs her camera and walks the coastline for some thinking time, where she sets her intent for the day. Days might be filled with client consultations, facilitating the Rippler Innovation program, facilitating the Talking Heads program at the University of Newcastle, creating new opportunities for the business itself, facilitating corporate planning days, attending conferences, running workshops, or organising an entrepreneurial event like Top Shots, Hunter Collective or the Hunter Innovation Festival. Then there is the answering of the constant emails and late night phone meetings with clients or associates overseas. The diversity is what Christina loves so much – that and the amazing people she gets to work and collaborate with.
Christina’s working life has been extremely varied. After leaving school she studied law, then a Bachelor of Arts and a Music degree, studied education, leadership, management, completed a post grad qual in Business Management and is currently undertaking doctoral studies in Creativity and Innovation. She has worked in hospitality, media production, free-lanced, worked in agencies, worked as a Medical Herbalist and played in a band. She has also founded and co-founded many projects including Newcastle Music Week and Create and Innovate.
Christina has been inspired by many people. Her parents were always in business and worked hard for what they believed in. Other influencers include second class teacher Mrs Metcalf, piano teacher Mrs Lutton, herbal teacher and mentor Nancy Evelyn and friend, colleague and mentor Claire Williams. She has also learnt from the readings and behaviours of Sir Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Simon Sinek, Tom Kelly (IDEO), Peter Diamandes (Singularity University) and others who tried, failed and tried again.
Christina finds the best way to overcome challenges is to face them head on, with a clear head and heart. “When you know your Why as Simon Sinek puts it, it is remarkable how easy it is to stay focused on the end goal,” says Christina.
Jane Huxley from Pandora Music said two things that left a profound effect on her, “Focus, focus, focus” and “It’s not personal”. It is also important to ask for help when you need it and not constantly strive for perfection.
When advising other women in business, Christina says “Get some sleep! Always be true to your beliefs and core values. Trust your gut. Grow yourself as you grow the business. I don’t believe we can achieve our true business potential unless we are growing our own personal potential. We often get lost in the business and forget ourselves. But I can tell you unequivocally that the more you learn about yourself the more secure you are in your business decisions, and the more secure your business decisions, the more your business will grow.“
When advising other women in business, Christina says “Get some sleep!
When advising other women in business, Christina says “Get some sleep!
