In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the common pitfalls that individuals and teams encounter during the process. They emphasize the importance of understanding stakeholders, defining clear problem statements, and the iterative nature of design thinking.

The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, data-driven decisions, and maintaining focus on the purpose while avoiding distractions. The hosts also discuss the balance between striving for excellence and knowing when to quit, providing listeners with practical insights to navigate their design thinking journeys effectively.

*This episode is kindly sponsored by Blonde Creative.*

Key Topics Covered:

00:00 Introduction to Design Thinking and Stakeholders
08:18 The Importance of Stakeholders
15:42 Making Incremental Changes
21:40 Avoiding Design Thinking Theatre
29:25 Knowing When to Quit

Quotable Moments:

• "The only way out is through."
• "Don't forget your why."
• "Design thinking is a journey."

Call to Action:

Lucy and Tracy encourage readers to embrace the messy middle; providing insight into, and awareness of, the potential pitfalls they may encounter.

Send us a text

Support the show

You can support us in the following ways:

Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.

Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.

Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time.

Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/

Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Website - https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/

If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: hello@abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the complexities of design thinking, focusing on the importance of stakeholders, co-creation, and the challenges of people-pleasing. They discuss how to navigate diverse opinions, the value of empathy, and the iterative learning process involved in design thinking.

The conversation highlights real-life applications, tools for decision-making, and the significance of self-respect and empowerment in the journey of personal and professional growth.

*This episode is kindly sponsored by AG Web Development*

Key topics covered:

00:00 Navigating Confusion and Stakeholders
03:06 The Power of Co-Creation
06:04 Diverse Perspectives in Design Thinking
08:51 The LEGO Example: Engaging Stakeholders
12:01 People-Pleasing and Decision Making
14:57 Finding Balance in Opinions
17:59 Empowerment and Self-Respect
21:04 Tools for Decision Making
24:01 Embracing the Messy Middle
27:02 Real-Life Applications of Design Thinking
29:53 Conclusion and Next Steps

Quotable moments:

"It's about respect for yourself."
"You have to remain the hero of your own story."
"Forget the worst, what's the *best* that could happen?"
"It's okay to kind of from the messy middle."

Call to Action:

Lucy and Tracy challenge listeners to identify their stakeholders, and to start having conversations with them. This helps find the balance between stakeholder input and personal / organisational vision.

Send us a text

Support the show

You can support us in the following ways:

Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.

Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.

Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time.

Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/

Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Website - https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/

If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: hello@abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore how empathy helps us understand others and ourselves, fosters deeper connections, and leads to better decision-making. They also delve into the significance of forming a distinct point of view to be used as a guide to action when navigating potential challenges.

*This episode is kindly sponsored by Rama Gheerawo, author of Creative Leadership: Born From Design.*

Key Topics Covered:

• [00:00] What to expect:
  Lucy and Tracy introduce the episode by framing the importance of empathy and having a strong sense of personal perspective as key tools for beginners in any journey.
• [05:00] Understanding Empathy and Its Impact on Relationships:
  Discussion re how empathy allows us to better relate to others, helping to build stronger, more meaningful connections both personally and professionally.
• [10:30] Defining Your Point of View:
  Explaining the value of having a clear and consistent point of view, and how it can help individuals stay grounded while making decisions, setting boundaries, and pursuing their goals.
• [15:40] Balancing Empathy with Assertiveness:
  How to strike a balance between being empathetic to others’ needs, whilst staying true to your own perspective and values.
• [18:00] Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable:
  Lucy and Tracy dive into the idea that discomfort is a natural part of growth. They emphasise that becoming comfortable with discomfort is key to personal development, and how accepting this can make navigating challenges less daunting.
• [20:00] Final Thoughts and Reflections:
  Encouraging listeners to embrace empathy as a strength and to take the time to clearly define their personal viewpoints as a way to lead with confidence and authenticity.

Quotable Moments:

• "Empathy is not just about understanding others; it's about using that understanding to guide your actions with compassion and clarity."
• "Your point of view is your compass. It keeps you focused on what matters most, even when life throws you off course."
• "Growth often comes from stepping into the uncomfortable—it's about recognizing that discomfort is part of the process, and that's okay."

Call to Action:

• Lucy and Tracy challenge listeners to practice empathy in their daily interactions while also taking time to reflect and clearly define their personal point of view.

Send us a text

Support the show

You can support us in the following ways:

Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.

Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.

Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time.

Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/

Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Website - https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/

If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: hello@abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net