In my few working years as a designer, just about everything I did was manifested visually. Over time, my work has become more experiential, interpersonal, and in the moment. Physical manifestations became functional documents, reports, and diagrams. Initially there were printed hard copies. These days, everything is digital. Even so, my work continue to push towards the intellectual, experiential, and ephemeral.

30 years

Some papers do spark joy and excitement. I can feel my brain expanding as I read them. And feel roots growing to link old ideas with new ones.

Rules offer predictability and comfort. We start with them for good reason. Rules are: Rigid and linear: They tell us exactly what to do and what not to do. Black-and-white: There’s little ambiguity, which makes them easy to rely on. Context-specific: They work well within a narrow, predictable context. Clearly operationalised: We can follow them step by step, without unnecessary thinking. They reduce the cognitive load required to complete tasks. Easy to quantify, learn, and apply: Perfect for beginners who need structure to practice. They can bolster our confidence. Brittle when the context changes: Limited flexibility and adaptability to change, ambiguity, uncertainty, and complexity. Rules can only go so far before they falter.

I came across the image above on a Facebook post. It appears to be an unfortunate reflection of current reality.

Exposure to and engagement with a pluralistic life, in our day-to-day experiences of living, is beneficial for us. A psychological and emotional nutrient, if you will.

Context matters. The meaning we assign to an event is shaped by the situation in which it occurs. No interpretation stands alone; it is always embedded in a wider psychosociopolitical setting. Pluralism extends contextualism thus: There are multiple perceptions of truth, each shaped by the background, culture, and experiences of the perceiver. No single theory (to explain and predict a context) or method (to effect change) is inherently superior or objectively the best. In psychotherapy, there is no “one correct integrative system” toward which the discipline is inevitably evolving. In design thinking, there is no single best solution that works in every context. In organisational development, there is one single perspective that “correctly” explains a given context and sets out one path forward.

2,519 initial codes (concepts) were inductively derived from the blog posts. Of these, 330 were deemed to be relevant to my research topic. These 330 codes were then grouped into 27 emergent categories. These are: Accept change inevitability, uncertainty; ambiguity, paradoxes, and not knowing. (17) #BLi/01 Action (including prototyping) enacts change. (11) #BLi/02 All problems are dissolvable. (6) #BLi/03 Aware of intrapersonal, cognitive, interpersonal, and cultural distortions. (39) #BLi/04 Change is anxiety; innovation is risky. (1) #BLi/05 Change starts from the self; we cannot change others. (9) #BLi/06 Childlike beginner's mindset helps discovery and creativity. (5) #BLi/07 Choose battles and make decisions; we cannot please everyone. (7) #BLi/08 Context is king across entire problem-solving process. (21) #BLi/09 Create psychological safety to improve creativity and efficacy. (19) #BLi/10 Cultivate self-awareness and engage in reflective practice. (6) #BLi/11 Curiosity powers creativity and empathy, and deepens perception. (4) #BLi/12 Embrace all senses to maximise rich perception and work. (6) #BLi/13 Embrace constraints and failures; work with reality and human nature. (7) #BLi/14 Embrace diversity of people, capabilities, views, and situations. (23) #BLi/15 Engage in creative play; creativity needs nurturing. Creativity is innate. (12) #BLi/16 Know when to break the rules and take risks. (1) #BLi/17 Maintain the Working Alliance; empower collaboration, ensure alignment. (13) #BLi/18 Meet human needs (emotional, functional, moral, social etc). (30) #BLi/19 Reductionistic conceptualisation; solve the right/right level of problems. (8) #BLi/20 Reframing enriches perspectives and generates more insights. (6) #BLi/21 Seek and create principles, not rules. (5) #BLi/22 Seek the unexpected, the memorable, the in-between; not the perfect. (23) #BLi/23 Strive to perceive clearly, accurately, and empathetically. (12) #BLi/24 Trust processes as guides; but don't follow unquestioningly. (15) #BLi/25 Value and empower agency; encourage flexible use of methods. (13) #BLi/26 Work at both the detail and big picture levels. (12) #BLi/27

2,264 published posts If each post were a Lego brick, they would stack up to the height of a 7-storey building

This webinar will also integrate insights from my PhD research, particularly Design Thinking, to highlight how intuition and creativity can address intricate challenges. Tailored for both seasoned and emerging therapists, the session offers reflective tools to identify and expand nonlinear practices, while providing a foundational framework for novices aspiring to masterful, integrative therapeutic work.

Deductive and focused: The printer is not working Is it on the network? No. Does the router report it as connected? No. Is it connected as far as itself is concerned? Yes. Can PCs see it? No. Try different PCs? No. Try different network holes? No. Try different cables? Yes. The cable is broken.