How to solve the "wicked problems" in your life and career via design thinking

As you kick off 2018, have you wondered what can be done to get more out of your career? Have you contemplated having a bigger change but don't know where to start?

In the world of new product and technology design, innovators use a methodology called design thinking to break down "wicked problems" and come up with solutions. According to Wikipedia, "a wicked problem is a problem that is difficult or impossible to solve because of incomplete, contradictory, and changing requirements that are often difficult to recognize."

Aren't some of the problems in our lives and careers just like "wicked problems"?

What if you can use design thinking to evaluate our life and career and create something more meaningful, interesting, and aligned with what you really want?

Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, two former management consultants, leaders involved with Apple, Electronic Arts and now director and lecturer of Stanford University's Design Program, have offered a Designing Your Life course in Standford, which has been one of the most popular courses. Bill and Dave distilled their learning and share their expertise in the book, Designing Your Life. Their innovation in applying design thinking in life and career design have been adopted in more and more post-secondary institutions' career programs and the momentum shows no sign of slowing down.

To learn more about design thinking and your life and career design, check out the book website, designingyour.life/.

What has this to do with me?

2017 has been a crazy year since April as I dedicated a lot of my free time outside of working for UBC's MBA program to start BoltCareers. Nothing got me more excited than being invited by a former student volunteering for Vancouver's Lean in Chapter to deliver a workshop on new year goal setting and career planning.  The workshop delivered to 50+ female professionals turned out to be a sold-out success! It was designed by combining the Designing Your Life techniques and my experience supporting the careers of hundreds of clients. At the end, the 50+ women and received tremendously positive feedback. That was the first time I witnessed this tool bringing lots of epiphany and new ideas to so many experienced professionals after just two hours of interactive exercises. Check out these photos to get an idea of the energy of that evening:

If you want to learn more about how to use design thinking to tackle any career or life problems, feel free to get in touch with me via LinkedIn, comment here, or email me at iris@BoltCareers.com.

Happy (belated) 2018!