Design thinking in business practice

More than just problem-solving; it a business language

“Systems thinking is a discipline for seeing the ‘whole’, recognizing patterns, and interconnecting those patterns into an integrated framework. It empowers us to understand complexity and anticipate consequences, not just react to them.” — Peter Senge

In a recent post, I talked about a conceptual framework known as Design Thinking (hereafter, DT), and how I think it should be an accessible tool for everyone. In this post I want to open the curtains and take you into my practice and how I use DT as a Design Strategist. My relationship with DT extends beyond the conventional. Over time, I have always seen it as a kind of systems approach to solutioning though traditionally it is depicted as set of practices and mindsets geared towards problem-solving. In the last eight years, I have come to embrace DT, both as a language to define my role; and, as an activity to engage workshop participants, who I am leading through solutioning around a problem space. But while I highlight its dual power, there is still another aspect and that is DT as a language for business practice; I will touch on that shortly.

Related post: As a digital transformation coach, I think that design thinking should be mainstream for everyday use

DT as a working language

In my professional engagements, I leverage DT as a linguistic framework to articulate the essence of my function and its underlying values — i.e., selling myself. DT, framed here as a methodology, transforms it from a mere methodology into a communicative tool, that allows me to effectively express my role in various projects. It’s about more than just executing tasks; it’s about infusing my work with a deeper sense of purpose and clarity.

Communicating complex concepts

Consider a project aimed at reimagining the user experience (UX) for a digital banking platform. Here, my role as a Design Strategist and Coach, goes beyond merely outlining strategies and solutions. Using DT as a language…