The future is ours to design
When so much in the world is challenging, optimism is the business leader’s superpower.
Feeling optimistic right now can be hard. The economy, politics, climate, wars: the events and realities of life in 2024 can be all-consuming and leave little headspace for change and progress. Optimism takes effort.
But this is exactly when optimism is the business leader’s superpower; an intentional and strategic act that is a valuable currency for how we adapt, meet customers where they’re at, and move forward.
It’s not naive or blind optimism. It’s tempered with realism. Harold Wilson said: “I’m an optimist, but an optimist who carries a raincoat.” It’s optimism as a tool for change.
Positive disruption and risk taking don’t have to mean dramatic pivots, high costs and earth-changing inventions. It doesn’t have to mean building an innovation lab or having Magnetic move in with you. It can mean that (well, not the moving in part) but it is more likely to be small-scale experimentation; incremental changes that add up to maximum results; or developing a culture where everyone feels empowered and equipped to challenge the status quo.
But it does mean taking a risk.
5 principles to design with optimism
Bravery. Believing we can create a better future by creating something that makes life happier, healthier or easier for someone, in some way.
Impact. A progressive approach to challenges, to find the possibilities and solutions with the most impact. Generosity. Customer obsessed, designing with the intention of making life better for the person who’ll be using the product or service.
Generosity. Customer obsessed, designing with the intention of making life better for the person who’ll be using the product or service.
Proactive. Actively seeking solutions to a difficulty or frustration in an everyday experience, to solve people’s real problems.
Simplicity. Ruthlessly simple design, and clarity in the proposition. It makes the customer feel optimistic too, and that challenges aren’t insurmountable.
Three frontiers we believe are ripe for optimistic thinking and disruptive design are mental health services, sustainability and our ageing population — we’ll explore these topics in more detail in a series of articles coming soon.
This is an excerpt from our 2024 book: Optimism. If you’d like a copy, request it here.
Magnetic is a design and innovation company that helps design better futures. We’ve worked with global businesses, government organisations and fast growing start-ups to build capabilities, products, services and transform organisations. To find out more get in touch: hello@wearemagnetic.com.
