2191 - Fostering a Safe Space for Ideas by Leading with Empathy: A Talk with Sara Frasca

Fostering a Culture of Innovation with Sara Frasca of Point Northeast In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Sara Frasca, Innovation Keynote Speaker, CEO of Point Northeast, and founder of SaraFrasca.com. Known for her passion for creative thinking and business growth, Sara brings a powerful perspective on how leaders can build a culture of innovation, empower teams, and shift workplace mindsets around failure. Leading Innovation from the Ground Up Sara opens the conversation with a down-to-earth personal anecdote—sharing her love for gardening and spring yard clean-up. That connection to growth, curiosity, and creativity mirrors her professional mission: helping organizations build stable foundations that allow innovation to flourish. Sara explains that many businesses operate in a state of overwhelm. When systems are chaotic, it becomes nearly impossible for teams to think clearly, creatively, or strategically. Her first step when working with a client? Stabilize. Once a business has reliable systems and operational clarity, the space for ideation, experimentation, and innovation naturally opens up. She also emphasizes that leaders must model the behavior they want to see. If leaders don’t take creative risks, their teams won’t either. A culture of innovation requires a safe space for failure, experimentation, and continuous learning. About Sara Frasca Sara Frasca is a global innovation expert, positive disruptor, and award-winning entrepreneur. A former General Mills leader turned business coach and CEO, Sara empowers organizations to embrace transformation, creativity, and bold leadership. Her experience ranges from working at startups to leading inside major corporations, giving her unique insights into how to challenge the status quo and unlock innovation. Through her work, Sara teaches companies how to build strong foundations, cultivate accountability, and create environments where people thrive by embracing experimentation and risk.About Point Northeast Point Northeast is a boutique consulting firm led by Sara Frasca. It specializes in helping companies remove operational bottlenecks, empower their teams, and build a culture of innovation. From strategic growth planning to leadership workshops, Point Northeast equips companies with the systems and mindset they need to scale successfully. Links Mentioned in this Episode:Sara Frasca’s WebsitePoint Northeast WebsiteSara Frasca on LinkedIn Episode Highlights:Why overwhelmed companies struggle to innovateHow strong systems create the space for creativityThe role of leadership in modeling experimentation and trustWhy celebrating failure is essential to long-term growthHow Sara helps mid-sized businesses scale with clarity and confidence Conclusion Sara Frasca delivers a powerful reminder: innovation doesn’t start with flashy ideas—it starts with clarity, leadership, and a safe space for failure. Her work helps organizations build the systems and cultures needed to unlock creative thinking and...