Leading Change in Times of Disruption

We were already living in a fast-changing world and then the pandemic hit. For many of us, this one-two punch complicated our goals, confused our ambitions and left us feeling aimless and vulnerable. With no official “How To” guide available, we’re now expected to discover, or at least support, a new normal for ourselves, our teams, our communities, maybe even the world. That’s a tall order. We’re going to need some new skills.

In this two-part online workshop incorporating discussions, breakout exercises and “hands on” assignments, we’ll learn how to apply design thinking techniques to lead or manage change during challenging times. First, we will explore how disruptions set the conditions for extraordinary innovation and change. Next we’ll consider how change “feels” to ourselves and others, and how our change profile might vary by situation. From there, we will consider how design processes and practices can help us better envision, navigate, and lead change. Finally, we will learn how to design a change strategy by gathering key information and insights, accurately identifying opportunities, creating powerful alliances and influencing with integrity and authenticity.

About the trainer

Christopher Ireland

Researcher, strategist, idea generator and alliance builder, Christopher started her career with the notion that businesses could benefit from a better understanding of people and culture. Her ability to create simple explanations of complex human behavior and to translate those insights into effective design and development strategies attracted a wide range of clients including Microsoft, HP, Pepsi, Levis, Gap and more. As a co-founder and CEO of Cheskin, a firm that pioneered design research in Silicon Valley, Christopher had a ring-side seat to unrivaled feats of creation, innovation and reinvention.