Workshop your way out of problems - key to create lasting organization value

Jun 9

Designed and lead a co-creation workshop for the Maritime Industry with SeaAhead

We use workshops to help our clients understand themselves more effectively so that we can build the strategies and authentic brand that reflect the organizational culture and drive results.

Having spent years building and leading creative teams, I have learned that creativity and innovation never occur on a straight path. We have developed various methodologies to help teams feel more engaged with one another across silos, to overcome hurdles, capitalize on opportunities, and build collaborative cultures.

Creativity and innovation often feel like processes which defy understanding, uncontainable as a wild beast and about as graspable as the wind. However, we believe that there is a different way of approaching creativity, tapping into its power, and unleashing it to the greatest effect.

Why you should trust us:

Before I went to art school and embarked on my design career, I was trained in ops and deployed as a military officer. These experiences and ways of thinking may seem incompatible with each other, but nothing could be further from the truth. I have spent a decade reconciling my left brain (ops) and right brain (design) world views to discover that there is a repeatable method to the madness when it comes to creating environments conducive to innovation. The creative process has more in common with the scientific method than the infinite monkey theorem.

Making room for the unexpected during Workshops

The repeatable method to the madness, simply put is workshops. At Giant Shoulders, workshops are our key method for inspiring a think-different mindset and creating open forums that facilitate new discoveries, opportunities, relationships, and ideas – a place to combine the imaginative with the strategic. Our workshop method in two parts

Part One: Define ‘Here is Horrible’

Clearly define the critical problems that are holding their business, team, and brand back.
Curate a collaborative team of stakeholders who can help move you away from here. Participants should span silos and functions, covering each other’s blindspots for the problems you are trying to solve.
Set aside a half day or full day where we can engage to dissect the problem, discover ways to collaborate, and set clear visions and tangible objectives.

Part Two: Structured Chaos

Everyone checks their phones and titles at the door – create a level playing field so that all participants can get to know each other’s strengths and motivations rather than titles.
We design our questions and exercises intentionally to encourage everyone to think, listen, and share.
Bring in an outside voice like GiantShoulders to facilitate. This will give you room to think through the parts of your business that you know best while avoiding “groupthink”.

How does this connect with the work we do?

As brand strategists and designers, we exist to help leaders lead people better. We use this methodology to help our clients understand themselves more effectively so that we can build the strategies and authentic brand that reflect the organizational culture and drive results.

If you are interested in learning more about how our design-thinking branding methodology can help you overcome challenges in your organization, feel free to reach out to us.