Design Thinking   Peer-graded Assignment: Reflection    Visualization

Challenge & Selection

Our team consists of management, student workers, and mid-level supervisors. This dynamic team operates on  a University campus, across three buildings.  Not only do we face the challenge of communicating between  locations, but across generations as well.  With different generations all working together, the problem of  communicating so everyone receives and understands the information, has become problematic with the  increased usage of digital communication.

Visualization is a process that doesn’t just use words or lecture but incorporates images that can allow multi- generations to see the bigger picture.  It creates opportunity to use creativity that may not otherwise get tapped  into.  I chose visualization for the ability to reach each generation in a more natural way, that everyone can  understand.  Visualization also helps remove emotion, or the lack thereof, that text, email or data cannot  provide.

Application

During a recent staff meeting, I conducted a visual exercise that I learned during my Disney Approach to  Leadership seminar, in which I asked the team to draw a picture of Mickey Mouse. I set the timer for 60 seconds  and they began.  At the end of the time, each team member held up their drawings. The variations of the  drawings ranged from whole body, stick figure, full face, and other interpretations.  We then watched a Disney  tutorial on how to draw Mickey Mouse which we all followed together.

Insight & Approach

The results of this visual exercise were similar among the team.  I then asked my team what they needed from  me in order to have drawn Mickey correctly the first time. This opened dialog where it was determined that I did  not give them enough information.  In turn, I asked the team why none of them asked for clarification.  The  result of this discussion provided insight to both sides of the team.  I found that by engaging my team in a visual  exercise, it was far more effective that sending and email or printing out an instruction sheet.  My team was  more engaged, felt involved, and wasn’t bored by the same type of lecture-style meeting.   Several members of  the team indicate that this   was one of the best meetings they have been to and felt like the simple exercise  gave them a better understanding of how to communicate more effectively.

Using this type of visualization breaks all the communication barriers by putting everyone on a level playing  field.  Your skill level, experience, or education does not matter in this sort of exercise.  I want to incorporate  visualization exercises whenever facing a challenge as it is extremely engaging and gives each team member the  same opportunity to help resolve the issue at hand.  Alternatively, putting the visualization exercise to the team  and letting them conduct the exercise, will also provide a different approach and point of view, rather than only  mine.  This will also give the team a sense of empowerment while creating resolutions.


Design Thinking Peer - graded Assignment : Reflection Visualization Challenge & Selection Our team consists of management , student workers , and mid - level supervisors . This dynamic team operates on a University campus , across three buildings . Not only do we face the challenge of communicating between locations , but across generations as well . With different generations all working together , the problem of communicating so everyone receives and understands the information , has become problematic with the increased usage of digital communication . Visualization is a process that does n’t just use words or lecture but incorporates images that can allow multi- generations to see the bigger picture . It creates opportunity to use creativity that may not otherwise get tapped into . I chose visualization for the ability to reach each generation in a more natural way , that everyone can understand . Visualization also helps remove emotion , or the lack thereof , that text , email or data can not provide . Application During a recent staff meeting , I conducted a visual exercise that I learned during my Disney Approach to Leadership seminar , in which I asked the team to draw a picture of Mickey Mouse . I set the timer for 60 seconds and they began . At the end of the time , each team member held up their drawings . The variations of the drawings ranged from whole body , stick figure , full face , and other interpretations . We then watched a Disney tutorial on how to draw Mickey Mouse which we all followed together . Insight & Approach The results of this visual exercise were similar among the team . I then asked my team what they needed from me in order to have drawn Mickey correctly the first time . This opened dialog where it was determined that I did not give them enough information . In turn , I asked the team why none of them asked for clarification . The result of this discussion provided insight to both sides of the team . I found that by engaging my team in a visual exercise , it was far more effective that sending and email or printing out an instruction sheet . My team was more engaged , felt involved , and was n’t bored by the same type of lecture - style meeting . Several members of the team indicate that this was one of the best meetings they have been to and felt like the simple exercise gave them a better understanding of how to communicate more effectively . Using this type of visualization breaks all the communication barriers by putting everyone on a level playing field . Your skill level , experience , or education does not matter in this sort of exercise . I want to incorporate visualization exercises whenever facing a challenge as it is extremely engaging and gives each team member the same opportunity to help resolve the issue at hand . Alternatively , putting the visualization exercise to the team and letting them conduct the exercise , will also provide a different approach and point of view , rather than only mine . This will also give the team a sense of empowerment while creating resolutions .