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In a world that often values conformity and efficiency over individuality and exploration, a humanistic, creative, and reflective approach may yet save us from being a mere cog. This perspective values people, our differences, and our potential, while promoting ethics, collaboration, and personal growth.
Humanistic Values
At the core of this approach lies a deep appreciation for the inherent worth of every individual. It’s about believing the best in each other, acknowledging our unique abilities, and recognising our desire to learn and grow. We are all doing the best we can with the knowledge we have. We all progress at our pace.
By promoting pragmatic and practical outcomes that honour and respect people, we can create a work environment where everyone can thrive. This includes prioritising ethical work processes and encouraging collaboration, togetherness, and individual empowerment.
Cultivating Creativity
Creativity is not solely about being artistic or producing art. It’s about tapping into our innate ability to see things from different perspectives and explore alternative solutions. Everyone possesses creative potential, and by nurturing openness, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things, we can foster a creative mindset.
In the Design Thinking tradition, creativity can be a methodical process that doesn't rely solely on random inspiration. We can deliberately engage in sensemaking and ideation without waiting for random inspiration to strike.
Reflective Practice
Self-awareness, mindfulness, and ongoing personal growth are key components of a reflective mindset. Such a mindset can help us identify our areas of strength and areas for improvement. It allows us to provide ourselves with validation when we do well, and support when we need it. This can boost our efficacy and resilience.
By cultivating mentalising (the ability to accurately identify and communicate understanding about someone’s psychological state) and empathy (the ability to imagine what it might be like to walk in someone’s shoes), we enhance our interpersonal efficacy and improve our ability to connect with others.
Reflection involves shifting between working on tasks and contemplating the work at a meta-level. This includes thinking about the work while doing it (reflection-in-action) and reflecting on how the work went after completion (reflection-on-action).
An approach that takes on these three factors nurtures individual potential, fosters collaboration, and encourages continuous growth. By embracing these principles, we can create a more fulfilling and enriching experience for ourselves at work and in our lives.
