Ideation Overload, Do You Have to Chase Every Idea?: with Carrie Chandler
When inspiration strikes, some people grab a notebook. Others start a podcast. (Looking at you, Sarah and Bill.)
This week, the Strengths on Fire crew dives headfirst into the buzzing, brilliant, and sometimes overwhelming world of Ideation—joined by HR Director and CliftonStrengths enthusiast Carrie Chandler.
Carrie brings a powerful mix of Learner, Futuristic, Woo, and Ideation to the mic as she opens up about what it’s like to live inside a mind that never stops. From social media rabbit holes and “popcorn brain” moments to managing a people-pleasing past and leading as an HR exec, Carrie shares how she’s learned to harness her creativity without burning out.
Along the way, Sarah gets real about her own Activator tendencies (“I start before I think!”), Bill brings up the red-vine diplomacy of HR, and the group debates when to share an idea, when to park it, and when to just sing Sweet Caroline to clear your mind.
Whether you’re the person who’s constantly dreaming up new projects—or working with someone who can’t stop saying “What if?”—this episode will help you recognize the beauty (and chaos) of a fast-thinking brain and how to channel it for good.
💡 Main Takeaways
- Ideation can feel like popcorn popping—exciting, but nonstop. Learn how to turn it down without losing your spark.
- People with high Ideation need filters, not limits—use Strategic, Arranger, or Analytical to prioritize.
- Activator ≠ Ideation: One starts; one dreams. When they work together, magic happens.
- “Popcorn brains” love possibility but need rest to recharge creativity.
- Boundaries help brilliant thinkers stay productive instead of perpetually inspired.
- Pairing Ideation with Responsibility can turn dreamers into doers.
- Great leaders don’t chase every idea—they curate them.
🔥 Sound Bites
“Just because it’s a good idea doesn’t mean it’s your idea to do.”
“Ideation is a party in your brain—until nobody cleans up afterward.”
“Social media is Disneyland for Ideation… and sometimes you need to leave the park.”
“If you have Activator and Ideation in the same room, somebody’s building a rocket.”
“Sometimes the best idea is the one you let rest.”
“Popcorn brains need butter—aka focus.”
“I should all over her—and learned my lesson.”
“With great ideas come great responsibility.”
🎧 Listen Now
Strengths on Fire — Season 2: The Great Strengths Debate
Episode: Ideation Overload: Do You Have to Chase Every Idea?
Episode: Ideation Overload: Do You Have to Chase Every Idea?
Sarah’s Top 10: Positivity | Woo | Communication | Harmony | Activator | Developer | Input | Individualization | Responsibility | Arranger
Bill’s Top 10: Individualization | Developer | Activator | Woo | Restorative | Empathy | Harmony | Connectedness | Relator | Learner
Bill’s Top 10: Individualization | Developer | Activator | Woo | Restorative | Empathy | Harmony | Connectedness | Relator | Learner
Guest: Carrie Chandler — Learner | Futuristic | Woo | Arranger | Strategic | Individualization | Input | Responsibility | Belief | Ideation
GET MORE FROM BILL AND SARAH
Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/ https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/
Sarah's info: https://www.wearecollinsco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
Bill's info: https://billdippel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamdippel/ https://www.instagram.com/billdippelcoach/
Sarah's info: https://www.wearecollinsco.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/
Creators and Guests
Host
Bill Dippel
Bill Dippel is a certified, professional Strengths coach with a 35-year career in nonprofits and higher education. His passion is working with organizations, teams, and individuals to ensure they are performing and communicating at the highest levels. As president of Bill Dippel Strengths Coaching, he travels frequently for large events and public speaking, as well as working with whole companies through their management teams.
Host
Sarah Collins
Sarah Collins is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and founder of Collins Collective, with over 12 years of experience in strengths-based coaching and leadership development. Her passion lies in empowering businesses, teams, and individuals to communicate and perform at their best by focusing on what they do well. As the leader of Collins Collective, Sarah combines engaging workshops, high-impact keynotes, and in-depth coaching to foster growth and connection. Based in Nebraska, she partners with businesses to drive meaningful change and create high-performing teams.
Guest
Carrie Chandler
Carrie Chandler believes great organizations are built by leaders who understand that sustainable results come from people who feel valued, trusted, and engaged. With a Master's in Human Resource Management and over 20 years of experience spanning Fortune 500s, private equity, banking, consulting, and startups, she's helped executive teams and front-line managers transform HR from a merely a compliance function into a strategic driver of growth, culture, and resilience. As a certified SHRM-SCP and SPHR professional, Carrie currently serves as Vice President overseeing Human Resources for a financial institution. She also consults and coaches executives, leadership teams, and individuals to show up with authenticity, clarity, and confidence. She is passionate to help them strengthen both results and relationships.
