Balancing Creativity And Efficiency

🧠 “How We Brainstorm And Choose UX Ideas” (+ Miro template) (https://lnkd.in/eN32hH2x), a practical guide by Booking.com on how to run a rapid UX ideation session with silent brainstorming and “How Might We” (HMW) statements — by clustering data points into themes, reframing each theme and then prioritizing impactful ideas. Shared by Evan Karageorgos, Tori Holmes, Alexandre Benitah. 👏🏼👏🏽👏🏾 Booking.com UX Ideation Template (Miro) https://lnkd.in/eipdgPuC (password: bookingcom) 🚫 Ideas shouldn’t come from assumptions but UX research. ✅ Study past research and conduct a new study if needed. ✅ Cluster data in user needs, business goals, competitive insights. ✅ Best ideas emerge at the intersections of these 3 pillars. ✅ Cluster all data points into themes, prioritize with colors. ✅ Reframe each theme as a “How Might We” (HMW) statement. ✅ Start with the problems (or insights) you’ve uncovered. ✅ Focus on the desired outcomes, rather than symptoms. ✅ Collect and group ideas by relevance for every theme. ✅ Prioritize and visualize ideas with visuals and storytelling. Many brainstorming sessions are an avalanche of unstructured ideas, based on hunches and assumptions. Just like in design work we need constraints to be intentional in our decisions, we need at least some structure to mold realistic and viable ideas. I absolutely love the idea of frame the perspective through the lens of ideation clusters: user needs, business problems and insights. Reframing emerging themes as “How-Might-We”-statements is a neat way to help teams focus on a specific problem at hand and a desired outcome. A simple but very helpful approach — without too much rigidity but just enough structure to generate, prioritize and eventually visualize effective ideas with the entire team. Invite non-designers in the sessions as well, and I wouldn’t be surprised how much value a 2h session might deliver. Useful resources: The Rules of Productive Brainstorming, by Slava Shestopalov https://lnkd.in/eyYZjAz3 On “How Might We” Questions, by Maria Rosala, NN/g https://lnkd.in/ejDnmsRr Ideation for Everyday Design Challenges, by Aurora Harley, NN/g https://lnkd.in/emGtnMyy Brainstorming Exercises for Introverts, by Allison Press https://lnkd.in/eta6YsFJ How To Run Successful Product Design Workshops, by Gustavs Cirulis, Cindy Chang https://lnkd.in/eMtX-xwD Useful Miro Templates For UX Designers, by yours truly https://lnkd.in/eQVxM_Nq #ux #design

Navigating power imbalances and fostering psychological safety in brainstorming sessions can be a challenge for facilitators. I recall a CEO of a law firm who was hesitant to run strategy workshops due to past experiences where the Chairman's voice dominated the room, making it difficult for other partners to share their perspectives freely. I assured them that as a facilitator, my role was to ensure that everyone's voice was respected, heard, and valued. I'm happy to say it worked well. 😊 Creating a psychologically safe space is crucial. This can be achieved by setting clear expectations at the start of the session, encouraging respectful dialogue, and managing the room to bring in all voices in a way that works. Here are some ways I run an idea generation or brainstorming session. ⭐ Start by clarifying what challenge or problem we’re here to address. Do this by reframing it as a 'How Might We…’ statement - a common method used in design thinking. This approach encourages collaborative thinking and ensures everyone in the room can contribute their perspectives. ⭐ Another design thinking tool I use is Crazy 8s, a great way to generate ideas quickly (handy when workshop time is tight). It involves generating eight ideas in eight minutes, which pushes participants to think beyond their initial ideas and stretch their creative boundaries. - Give each person a blank A4 sheet. Fold it in half 3 times so you have 8 equally spaced squares. - Each person silently writes or draws one idea per square per minute. - Go around the room so each person shares their ideas. Each idea has its moment. No judgement. Most senior persons share last. - Pop them up on a wall. - Each person then selects their top 2 to 3 ideas. - Discuss the ideas and collectively build on them (encourage the use of ‘and’ and ban ‘but’). - Collectively select the ideas you want to action. ⭐ But what about those quieter voices in the room? Silent Brainstorming is a way to encourage those who prefer to work independently to have their ideas heard. - It starts with individual ideation, where everyone writes their ideas independently before the session. - These ideas are then shared in an in person or virtual session and built upon collectively in a non-judgmental environment. These are just a few methods to address power imbalances and foster psychological safety in idea generation sessions. I'm curious, what other methods do you use to ensure that all voices, not just the loudest, are heard and valued in your brainstorming sessions? Thanks to Adam Grant for sharing the Work Chronicles cartoon below. ——————————————————————————- 👉 If you're looking for an experienced facilitator for your upcoming sessions or workshops, whether defining a strategy, mapping a plan, or crafting your purpose and values, I can help. #facilitation #psychologicalsafety #creativity #inclusion

Are you addicted to likes? Are you endless scrolling through your LinkedIn feed? Do you feel your stomach in knots the first 30 minutes after you press post? Do you question yourself: will this post spark a conversation, be ignored or will this land me in LinkedIn jail? Balancing the Scale: Social Media’s Allure and the Quest for Authentic Engagement Being active on social media can be a double-edged sword. The addiction to ‘likes’ and the stress of constant content creation present can be challenging. I’ve been there. Here’s what I’ve done to get past this. 1. Recognize the ‘Like’ Addiction: We often equate the success of our content with likes and shares, but this can distort our authentic voice. Remember, true value lies in genuine engagement, not just in numbers. 2. Schedule and Limit Engagement: Allocate specific times for social media interaction to avoid being consumed by it. This helps in maintaining focus on our real-world tasks and responsibilities. 3. Curate Your Feed: Follow and engage with individuals and groups that inspire and add value. A cluttered feed can lead to information overload and stress. 4. Embrace the Long Game on LinkedIn: Building meaningful connections and sharing insightful content consistently are more beneficial in the long term than chasing instant gratification. 5. Set Realistic Social Media Goals: Define what you aim to achieve through your presence on platforms like LinkedIn. Measure success not just by immediate engagement, but by the quality of connections and conversations you inspire. 6. Take Regular Breaks: Stepping away from social media is vital for mental health. Regular breaks can refresh your perspective and enhance creativity. I take a day off a week. 7. Stay True to Your Story: In the world of content creation, authenticity is key. Share stories and insights that are genuinely yours, resonating more with your audience and feeling less burdensome to create. Navigating social media’s highs and lows is part of our professional journey. How do you manage the balance between seeking engagement and maintaining authenticity? Share your strategies and experiences. P.S. Have you ever taken a step back to reassess your social media strategy? What insights did you gain? #whatsyourstory #storytelling #socialmediastrategy #wellbeing #mentalhealth

🌿 Learning to Design More Sustainably: Insights from an Eco-Product Expert In the rapidly evolving fashion industry, sustainability is moving from a niche concern to a core component of product design. As an eco-product expert, my mission is to guide and inspire brands towards more environmentally friendly practices, beginning right at the design stage. This commitment to sustainability is crucial because every decision in product design reverberates through the entire lifecycle of an item. 👖 Consider the anatomy of a simple garment, such as a pair of jeans. An attached image vividly breaks down the numerous components involved: from threads, buttons, and rivets to denim, labels, and dyes. Each component is an opportunity for sustainable innovation. 🔩 Take, for instance, the button. Traditionally, jean buttons are a challenge for recycling due to their permanent attachment. By redesigning the button as a screw-on, we not only facilitate easy removal at the end of the garment's life, enhancing recyclability, but also allow the button to be reused on another item, thereby extending its lifecycle and reducing waste. 🌱 Moving to the fabric itself, denim is typically cotton-based, which is water and chemical-intensive. An alternative like hemp can drastically reduce the environmental footprint as it requires significantly less water and fewer chemicals. Incorporating such materials into designs is not just about substituting one for another; it’s about rethinking the system to prioritise ecological balance. ♻️ Consider also the leather-like labels often found on jeans. These are usually made from plastics and are purely decorative. Eliminating these and opting for water-based ink prints directly on the fabric can significantly reduce plastic use and the overall environmental impact. Similarly, shifting from conventional dyes to environmentally kinder options can mitigate pollution and enhance the sustainability of the production process. 🌍 As designers and product specialists, we have the power and responsibility to lead the charge in sustainable design. By analysing and rethinking each component of a product from an eco-design perspective, we can make profound contributions to sustainability. This approach not only helps in reducing the environmental impact but also aligns with the growing consumer demand for responsible and ethical products. 💡 By supporting innovation and challenging traditional manufacturing processes, we can transform how products are designed, produced, and perceived. As an eco-product expert, I am committed to helping brands navigate this transition, ensuring that sustainable practices are at the focus of product design and development. 🤝 Together, let's design a more sustainable future. For more insights and guidance on integrating sustainable practices into your products, feel free to reach out. #sustainablefashion  #ecodesign

The protocol-maxxers will NEVER admit this, but most productivity systems eventually fail. Especially for those of us with neurodivergent brains. (As someone with ADHD, I've abandoned more productivity "solutions" than I can count.) The problem isn't you. It's the assumption that there's ONE perfect system. Your outlier brain craves novelty. That's why the same approach that fired you up last month feels like pulling teeth today. The meta-strategy that changed everything for me? Tactical rotation. Instead of forcing myself into a rigid system designed for neurotypical minds, I've embraced my brain's need for change: → Notebook for deep strategy work when I need to connect big ideas → Voice memos when walking sparks my creativity → Post-its for make-or-break priorities (visible but disposable) → Whiteboard sessions for team alignment (the physical movement helps) → Index cards for creative blocks (the tactile experience breaks mental loops) This isn't just preference—it's neuroscience. Our dopamine response diminishes with repetition but resets with novelty. The goal is to create and alternate between systems as unique as you are. Being an outlier means the conventional paths won't always work for you. And that's your advantage—not your flaw. What weird productivity hack has unexpectedly worked for your ambitious brain? PS - if you’re looking to double down on your outlier mindset, you might like my 7 day email series Rebuilding Conviction https://lnkd.in/eapC8d79

You’ve probably heard or thought it yourself: “𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲. 𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲!” 🚫 And I get it. Many global sustainability standards come from regions like Europe or the Global North, where resources and systems differ from the rest. But here’s the thing: sustainability isn’t about following a strict rulebook. It’s about finding what works for 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 business and destination. 🤔 How? For example: 💧 If recycling water isn’t an option, harvesting rainwater or reusing greywater can work wonders. 🍽️ No access to composting? Partner with local farmers to turn scraps into fertiliser or animal feed. 🚗 Limited or unsafe public transport? Promote carpooling or introduce bike rentals to your guests. 💡 No access to solar panels? Reduce energy use through efficiency and small changes like optimised lighting. 🗑️ Without recycling infrastructure, encourage refillable bottles or biodegradable packaging instead. Progress comes from adapting practices to your reality and celebrating every win. 🙌 What sustainability practice doesn’t work for your destination? And what creative solution have you found instead? Let me know in the comments! Need help brainstorming? Reach out! I’d love to help. 🤩 #GlobalStandards #SustainableTourism #Innovation #TourOperators #Accommodations Smits SusTour Consultancy ♻️ Found this post helpful? Repost it to inspire your network! 

Working longer hours the way to stay productive and successful I agree, there is a time to hustle and grind. I have done that when building my business. Have I been able to sustain it? Yes, and it costed my health, relationships and eventually work, itself. What I have learnt is a blessing - White Space. I learned this in art class, where I realised that what brings life and depth to a picture is the white space—the gaps that allow the main elements of the painting to stand out. Setting aside intentional “white space” each week actually fuels greater progress. Productivity doesn’t come from being constantly “on”; it comes from knowing how to recharge and protect your energy strategically. Here’s why white space matters: → Clarity: When you take intentional breaks, mental clarity improves, leading to sharper decisions. → Sustained Energy: Small pauses help keep energy levels high throughout the day, reducing burnout. → Creativity Boost: Giving your mind space to wander fuels creativity and innovative problem-solving. It’s not relentless hustle that keeps productivity high, but the rhythm of recharging, refocusing, and rejuvenating. So, don’t get caught up in the “always be grinding” mentality just because it’s popular. True productivity lies in balance. Find a way to weave in small moments of rest that fit your rhythm. That’s how you create sustainable success—one intentional pause at a time. #highperformance #coaching #productivity #mentoring

Many artists wait for the perfect moment. Professionals build systems that create moments. Inspiration starts the work. Systems sustain it. Mason Currey analyzed 161 great artists in "Daily Rituals." The pattern was unmistakable: most worked in solitude for 3-4 hours, usually first thing in the morning. Not when they felt inspired. When the system demanded it. Here's the framework that separates lasting artists from fading ones: 1. Systems create consistency Stephen King writes every morning. Taylor Swift journals song ideas daily. Miles Davis practiced at the same time each day. They didn't wait for the mood to strike. They made the mood routine. A creative system is just a schedule that respects your craft. Your move: Pick one time. Show up there every day. 2. Systems remove friction When you know your process, you stop wasting energy deciding how to begin. Prince kept his studio always ready. Everything plugged in. He could move from idea to finished track in minutes. That's how he made hundreds of songs. Research from PMC (2018) shows decision-making ability decreases after multiple choices. Every "should I start?" decision drains your battery. Your move: Prepare your workspace once. Use it repeatedly. Remove every obstacle between you and starting. 3. Systems make space for growth Structure doesn't limit creativity. It protects it. Agnes Martin followed the same grid pattern for decades. Inside that structure, she found infinite variation. When you automate the basics, you have more room to explore. That's what systems do: give you freedom through repetition. Your move: Pick one simple constraint. Explore inside it for a month. 4. Systems protect your peak creative hours Israeli parole judges granted significantly more parole in morning sessions than afternoon ones. Your creative decisions follow the same pattern. Every decision drains that battery. Systems preserve energy for what matters: the work itself. When you produce with checklists, templates, and deadlines, it may sound rigid. But it keeps you creative when discipline forgets. Your move: Schedule creation like a meeting. Honor it like one. Art may come from chaos. But it thrives on structure. Build your system. Then let it carry you when inspiration won't. ♻️ Share this with someone building their craft 🔔 Follow Kabir Sehgal for creative insights

Stop trying to give the smartest answers in brainstorming meetings. Instead, ask Radical Reframing Questions to lead your team. Here are some examples...👇 1. No customers Q: If you had zero customers today, what would you build to grow your user base or boost revenue fast? Why: Organizations accumulate legacy processes/features over time. Instead, think like you have no customers or infrastructure. This opens up more brainstorming possibilities. 2. No Tech/IT support Q: If tech support was off-limits, what product changes would you need to make? Why: Self-service solution reduces costs, scales better, and boosts customer satisfaction. Removing friction leads to $$$. So optimize for it. 3. Biggest rival clone Q: If your biggest rival cloned everything you have, how would you still win? Why: Good ideas get copied anyway. Instead of just focusing on features, build stronger emotional connections (eg brand or purpose).  Winning is about capturing hearts and minds. 4. Do it in half the time (my favorite) Q: What if you had just 3 months instead of 6 to launch ABC? (happens all the time 😅) Why: This forces you to remove the fluff, and only prioritize the core project value 5. Unlimited resources Q: What would you do if the budget wasn't an issue? Why: We all subconsciously think about budget constraints while brainstorming, so you need to hack your brains. Just zero in on solving the root cause creatively. 6. Existential risks Q: What external factors could potentially doom your company? (competition, security breach, or economic shift) Why: While it's impractical to worry about every possible threat, addressing the most pressing risks can help us take actions that make the company stronger. 7. One shot, one impact Q: If you could only do ONE thing this year, what would have the greatest impact? Just ONE! Why: Big decisions often come down to a few key choices each year (eg critical launches, strategic market moves, or key hires). This brings clarity to Strategy and more importantly your team. ---- So, remember this equation: More Radical questions + less smart answers = Better leadership and team outcomes This list is not exhaustive. What are yours? Drop it in the comments. #brainstorming #Leadership #ProductManagement #ProductLeadership

“Creativity is the new productivity.” — Bob Iger Most professionals are still optimizing for speed. While that worked in 2015, in 2026, AI can out-write, out-design, and out-produce most people. Even me. Speed is no longer what matters. Originality is. Output isn't your competitive advantage. Thinking differently is. Creativity isn't reserved for "the creatives." It's not a personality trait. It’s a trainable skill. 🙌🏻 I know this because I'm a trained graphic designer. I was TAUGHT creativity. That training opened doors for me into innovation. There’s substantial research showing specific behaviors reliably increase creative performance. I summarized 7 of the most practical ones on the whiteboard below: ⬇️ • Take a break so your unconscious mind keeps working (incubation effect) • Walk to increase idea volume and cognitive flexibility • Impose constraints to force non-obvious solutions • Seek novelty to disrupt routine thinking • Combine unrelated domains to spark breakthrough ideas • Pursue a hobby to fuel cross-domain insight • Ask “what-if” questions If you want to be more original, be intentional. In an AI-driven world, being busy won’t differentiate you. Being ORIGINAL will. If you had to commit to just one of the seven this week, which number would it be? ✍🏻 Comment below. ——— Found this helpful? Save & repost ♻️ to help someone in your network. Innovation is human. I teach the skills that power it.