Reflection – Visualization

Challenge & Selection

At work, I am part of a committee that aims to increase the participation and engagement of coworkers  within the organization. We are faced with the constant challenge of needing to put on multiple events  for coworkers and create opportunities for team members to interact with each other, with the overall  goal of strengthening bonds/friendships amongst each other. The key is to create opportunities where  people can connect with each other and feel as if they are actively participating in the work culture.  With this goal in mind, I constantly need to consider the type of events that would draw the most  people to them. One of the most recent events that I was faced to put on was a physical fitness event. I  needed to consider the type of fitness activity that everyone would like to participate in.

For this specific event, I ended up using visualization to aid in this process. I imagined the people at the  event and how much fun they were having. I also visualized where I saw these co-workers before so that  I had a basis as to where they’ve previously spent time and shown interest. I chose this tool since I know  my co-workers and could actually see everyone’s faces in my mind as I brainstormed for potential  activities.

Application

When I spent time brainstorming, I used visualization to aid in this process of coming up with potential  venues. I sat at my desk without any distractions and just spent time visually thinking. I not only spent  time thinking about the venue, but also made sure to visualize how people were interacting, the  food/drinks people were consuming, the conversations people could have been having, and the fun that  people could be experiencing. This allowed me to better convey my ideas to the rest of the committee  because I could see the event actually happening. Through visualization, I already thought through a lot  of the details that the other committee members potentially asked about.

Pertaining to the most current challenge of hosting a fitness activity, the committee sent out a survey to  sense the type of activities that interested various co-workers. Surprisingly enough, boxing was the type  of activity that excited the most people. With this piece of information in mind, I started visualizing the  boxing class and people interacting with each other through boxing. I imagined the instructor teaching  all of us the ‘jab-cross-hook-uppercut’ combos and people enjoying themselves through this process. I  envisioned everyone in athletic clothing, hand wraps, boxing gloves, and sneakers – the preparation for  the class. I then visually thought about people laughing afterwards, sharing their experiences together,  and expressing their likes/dislikes about the class.

Visualizing all of the details allowed me ask the right questions to the gym/instructor (and then answer  the questions posed by other committee members) about costs of hand wraps, gloves, boxing gym,  instruction, etc. when planning for the actual event. I was also more mentally prepared and felt less  overwhelmed about needing to put on an event.

Insight & Approach

I gained a lot more insight from applying visualization to the brainstorming of a fitness class. I was able  to think through the logistical piece of setting up the class a lot more quickly because of all the details I  could initially envision while using the visualization tool. I also felt a lot less stressed about the process  which enabled me to lead the committee more effectively. I’ve realized that visualization can help in

every capacity. It is up to me to allow myself to visually think and go through the process of design  thinking.

Next time, instead of keeping the tool to myself and being the only one to visualize the activity among  the committee, I’ll encourage the other members to use it for themselves. The tool opened up my eyes  to the possibility of being even more creative than I already am – something that I’ve continued to work  on. Ultimately, I wouldn’t change the approach that I used, but rather share it with others. It is now my  responsibility to help people learn the visualization tool which will aid them in their own development of  design thinking.

