55. Ideas & Empathy: How to Design and Communicate with Others in Mind

Summary

In this episode of 'Think Fast Talk Smart,' Matt Abrahams interviews Sarah Stein Greenberg, Executive Director of Stanford's d.school, on design thinking. They discuss how design thinking can enhance creativity and problem-solving in various industries. Greenberg emphasizes the importance of widening one's lens to understand different perspectives and the significance of introspection and reflection in the design process. She shares practical tools and activities from her book 'Creative Acts for Curious People' to foster creativity and effective communication.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Stanford Continuing Studies offers over 140 online courses to enhance personal and professional growth.
• 📚 Listeners of 'Think Fast Talk Smart' can get a 15% discount on courses using the code 'think 15'.
• 🤔 Design thinking is a process that extends beyond aesthetics to designing experiences, services, and systems.
• 🌟 Sarah Stein Greenberg, Executive Director of the d.school at Stanford, authored 'Creative Acts for Curious People', focusing on unconventional thinking and leadership.
• 💡 Design thinking is a vocabulary and set of practices applicable across disciplines to improve services and products.
• 🔎 'Widening your lens' is a concept in design thinking that encourages considering different perspectives to enhance creativity and relevance.
• 🤝 Human-centered design emphasizes creating for others, not just for oneself, which is crucial for effective communication.
• 🧘‍♀️ Introspection and reflection are integral to the design process, aiding in learning and improvement.
• 🗣️ Effective communication involves pausing more to allow for better understanding and connection with the audience.
• 📈 Phoebe Robinson is admired for her creative use of language, making her a standout communicator.
• 📊 Successful communication relies on passion for the topic, simplicity in content delivery, and effective visual aids.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the D school at Stanford?

The D school, or Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, helps students and executives learn design thinking skills, which involve using creativity to solve complex problems and improve products, services, and systems.

How does Sarah Stein Greenberg define design thinking?

Sarah Stein Greenberg defines design thinking as a way of intentionally designing products, services, and experiences that go beyond aesthetics to solve real-world problems. It involves understanding needs, developing strong points of view, and applying creative problem-solving approaches.

How can design thinking be applied beyond aesthetics?

Design thinking can be applied to various domains, such as improving service delivery, reducing costs, and reimagining complex systems like substitute teaching in the U.S. It encourages creative problem-solving across industries and sectors.

What does 'widening your lens' mean in the context of design thinking?

'Widening your lens' refers to broadening your perspective to understand how others experience a product, service, or system. It involves stepping outside your personal point of view to consider other people's needs and potential long-term consequences.

How does Sarah suggest overcoming the 'curse of knowledge' in communication?

Sarah suggests overcoming the 'curse of knowledge' by shifting your focus to others’ perspectives, getting out of your own way, and using design thinking principles to stay creative and relevant in communication.

What reflection techniques does Sarah recommend for improving the design process?

Sarah recommends reflection techniques like 'What, So What, Now What' to dissect experiences and learn from them. Another group technique she mentions is 'I Like, I Wish, How To,' which allows teams to reflect on their experiences non-judgmentally.

Why is it important to practice self-reflection during the design process?

Self-reflection is important in the design process because it allows individuals to learn from their experiences, identify areas for improvement, and ensure that their assumptions and biases don't overly influence the outcomes.

What warm-up activities does Sarah use in meetings, and why?

Sarah uses warm-up activities at the start of meetings to set the right tone and rehearse behaviors that will be needed for the work. These activities build trust, encourage creative thinking, and prepare participants for effective collaboration.

What is the best communication advice Sarah has received?

The best communication advice Sarah has received is to 'pause more.' She believes that taking moments of silence helps her slow down, give space for others to process, and observe details that might otherwise be missed.

What are the first three ingredients of successful communication, according to Sarah?

The first three ingredients of successful communication, according to Sarah, are passion for the content, simplicity in presentation, and using visuals to bring ideas to life.