Podcast appearances and mentions of Amy J Wilson

In this episode of Great Women in Compliance, host Dr. Hemma Lomax sits down with strategist, author, and culture designer Amy J. Wilson to explore how compliance professionals can become catalysts for culture change, not just enforcers of rules. Together, they unpack what it really takes to evolve workplace culture from the inside out. Listen in as Amy shares: ·  How to shift from “Old Power” mandates to “New Power” movements ·  The real reason why 70% of change initiatives fail (hint: it's not a policy problem) ·  The four pillars of successful culture movements: Emotional Connection, Grassroots Energy, Influence Over Enforcement, and Authenticity ·  How compliance and culture must work together to build ethical, resilient workplaces ·  Her signature framework, the Thriving Together Method, and how it helps organizations move from Awareness to Accountability Whether you're a compliance officer, people leader, or culture champion, this conversation will challenge how you think about influence, leadership, and lasting change. Highlights from the Episode: ·  A White House Fellow's view on what makes change stick ·  Why compliance should be participatory, not just punitive ·  How psychological safety fuels ethical behavior ·  Reframing compliance as a shared responsibility across the organization ·  Practical steps to start building a culture movement within your team Resources: ·  Amy's website: www.amyjwilson.com ·  Empathy for Change (book): amjywilson.com/empathyforchange ·  Thriving Together Method: amjywilson.com/empathyactionlab ·  Amy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/realamyjwilson ·  Newsletter: Empathy in Action ·  Harvard Business Review article: “Changing Company Culture Requires a Movement, Not a Mandate” by Bryan Walker and Sarah A. Soule Biography Amy J. Wilson is a nationally recognized leader in organizational transformation, specializing in emotional intelligence, systems strategy, and culture design. Amy is the founder of Culture Shift Studio, a consulting practice that partners with purpose-driven leaders to co-create emotionally intelligent, participatory, and values-aligned organizational cultures. She also leads Healing for Work, a workplace well-being initiative that supports individuals and teams in recovering from burnout, building emotional resilience, and fostering cultures of mutual care. Together, these two offerings form a holistic ecosystem—helping organizations not only evolve their structures and strategies, but also heal the human experience at work. Amy previously served as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, where she co-authored the Innovation.gov Toolkit and led the Better Government Movement, engaging thousands of public servants in redesigning institutional culture. She is also the author of Empathy for Change: How to Build a More Understanding World, a guidebook for changemakers committed to leading with care, clarity, and courage.

In today's rapidly evolving world, where innovation and technology are at the forefront of transforming lives and businesses, how do we ensure that our pursuit of progress remains grounded in empathy and understanding? How do we create innovations pushing the boundaries of what's possible and enriching and uplifting the communities they're designed to serve? I sat down with Amy J. Wilson, Founder and Guide at Empathy for Change, to explore the critical intersection of innovation, empathy, and human-centered design. In a profound conversation that traverses the landscape of liberatory and equity-centered community design to the nuances of trauma-informed approaches, Amy sheds light on the importance of integrating compassion into the fabric of innovation. Amy challenges us to reflect on our innovators, technologists, and leaders roles. Are we inadvertently participating in a culture of extraction, or are we genuinely contributing to creating meaningful, positive change? This episode delves into the essence of empathy within the innovation ecosystem, urging us to become more aware of our blind spots and the impact of our creations on the world around us. Through stories and insights, Amy illustrates the practice of "Noticing and Reflecting" - a cornerstone of liberatory design that empowers us to align our innovations with our values and intentions, ensuring that we're not just creating for the sake of innovation but are genuinely making a difference in people's lives. This episode is a call to action for the tech and innovation community to integrate empathy and reflection into our processes. It's about understanding that trust is "earned in droplets and lost in buckets" and recognizing our profound responsibility to innovate responsibly, ethically, and with a deep sense of empathy for the communities we aim to serve.  

Burnout is one of our biggest workplace challenges. Turnover and lost productivity due to burnout cost businesses $322B globally. Voluntary turnover costs 15+% of a company's payroll annually. Most employees will seek out workplaces that support mental health in the future, showing the importance of these benefits in employee retention.Today, I chat with Amy J. Wilson. We talk about how burnout is the biggest obstacle blocking us from empathy, what burnout is and its symptoms, where it comes from, and how it is especially a challenge in traditional care professions but can impact any of us in any organization. We discuss the difference between compassion fatigue and empathic distress. Amy also shares the Four Rs framework for healing from and preventing burnout. To access the episode transcript, please click on the episode title at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com Key Takeaways:Burnout is preventing people from feeling empathy. It applies blinders that keep people from connecting with those around them. Modeling is more effective than telling. You can model empathic behavior even in the face of adversity. Curiosity is the first step in empathy. Burnout stops us from making that connection with someone else's and their story. "People think of burnout as a mental health condition, but it isn't defined as a mental health condition as currently in the DSM. I think it has an origin in our own personal abilities and conditioned responses, but at the same time, it is a product of the system around us that often prioritizes profit over people." — Amy J. Wilson Episode References: The Empathy Edge: Amy J. Wilson: Leadership's Larger Duty And Avoiding Empathy Deficit DisorderJamie Greenwood: Why Empathy for Others Starts with Compassion for YourselfArticles on empathic distress:Rob Volpe: “Which Is It? Empathic Distress or Compassion Fatigue?”Adam Grant: "That Numbness You're Feeling? There's a Word for It"Amy J. Wilson: “What Makes Us Human”Brand Story Breakthrough course to help you craft a clear, compelling brand story - includes weekly office hours with Maria!About Amy J Wilson, Founder and Guide, Healing for WorkAmy J. Wilson believes in the power within each of us to shape the future we want to have—a future with more awareness, compassion, connection, and love. They specialize in building and sustaining compassionate cultures that can hold change so that individuals and the organization can thrive. They have challenged the status quo and redesigned systems centered on empathy and equity in action at more than a dozen organizations with thousands of people within the private and public sectors. Amy is the bestselling author of Empathy for Change: How to Build a More Understanding World with language and frameworks to evolve individuals and organizations to meet the realities of today and reimagine a better way forward. Amy founded Healing for Work, a community and program rooted in scientifically-proven ways for individuals to overcome burnout and improve workplace well-being. Through the Empathy Action Lab, they work with ambitious, purpose-driven organizations or entrepreneurs to design communities & movements with more empathy, to tell powerful stories, and to advance collective action.Connect with Amy J. Wilson: Empathy for Change | Healing for Work: healingforwork.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/healing-for-work Instagram: instagram.com/healingforwork/ Learn more about Amy's FREE Burnout Support Sessions at: healingforwork.com/join Join the tribe, download your free guide! Discover what empathy can do for you: red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria and her work: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossTake my LinkedIn Learning Course! Leading with EmpathyLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaX: @redsliceFacebook: Red SliceThreads: @redslicemaria

I am so delighted and thrilled to have my esteemed friend, Amy J. Wilson here with us today. Amy is a change leader, community builder, movement maker, and an empathy advocate. She is the author of Empathy for Change: How to Build a More Understanding World, a guide to create positive, compassionate change where we work, live, and play. All of this guides our conversation as we cover the different types of empathy and why they are important, dismantling current power structures and rebuilding them with empathy at the core, prioritizing rest, and so much more. Being empathetic does not mean you lack power, and this episode is going to tell you why - enjoy! Visit this episode's show notes page here. - The Prosperous Empath Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

Cat Drew is the chief design officer at the Design Council. We talk about the role and work of Design Council, systemic design, and the shifting role of design and government and communities. Listen in to learn more about: Design Council's work The frameworks Design Council has developed The Design Economy How designers can learn from non-designers who are practicing design out in their local communities Asset-based design Speculative design Amble Harbour, a small fishing village in the UK Our Guest's Bio Cat Drew is the Chief Design Officer at the Design Council where she brings together architecture and the built environment, public sector design and business innovation to support people in living healthier, happier and safer lives. Previously, Cat has held leadership positions at FutureGov and Uscreates, was a co-founder of the UK government's Policy Lab, and combines 10 years of experience in government with an MA in Graphic Design. She speaks widely about the value of design and co-presents BBC Radio 4 The Fix. She is a member of The Point People.   Show Highlights [01:04] Cat's path from civil servant to designer. [01:38] Her frustration while working for the government. [02:39] Helping to co-found the Policy Lab and discovering design. [05:15] Her work at Design Council. [06:25] The biggest internal development happening at Design Council right now. [08:29] One example of the collaborative aspect of the Design Council's work. [10:28] The Design Council's double diamond framework. [11:37] The Framework for Innovation builds on the double diamond and adds in culture change. [12:21] The complex challenges design is being asked to solve. [13:00] The new Systemic Design framework the Design Council developed to help with these challenges. [16:02] Cat talks about Design Council's role with regard to people using this new framework. [17:40] Design “translation” as a core role of the Design Council. [18:09] The ways in which language changes meanings in different communities. [19:46] Different groups and individuals see and experience a system very differently. [20:55] The social dreaming concept. [21:57] Cat talks about some of Design Council's research and projects. [22:31] The Design Economy. [24:31] Design Difference, a project born out of COVID-19 and the pandemic. [27:10] Learning from non-designers who are out there doing design work in their communities. [29:35] Asset-based design starts from what's strong instead of what's wrong. [31:22] Cat talks about where design is heading. [31:50] Designers working to deliberately change and redesign systems. [33:50] Three themes Design Council is seeing in design now. [35:52] Encouraging more people to experiment and play with design in the real world. [38:11] Ways to use and support the work Design Council is doing. [39:08] The importance of speculative design in supporting creativity. [39:58] Policy Lab's The Future of Aging project. [41:54] Resources Cat recommends for those interested in design. [43:40] Cat answers the question, “what's your best story about design?” with a story about Amble Harbour, a fishing village in the UK.  Links Cat on Twitter Cat on LinkedIn Cat on Medium Design Council UK BBC Radio 4: The Fix Interview with Cat at UX Connections Interview with Cat at Design Week Speculative Design Design: Into the Ether TEDxWhitehall: Making government better, through data and design Book Recommendation: Why Materials Matter: Responsible Design for a Better World, by Seetal Solanki and Liz Corbin Rooted By Design Natasha Trotman    Other Design Thinking 101 Episodes You Might Like Design Thinking for the Public Sector + Building and Training Design Thinking Teams with Stephanie Wade — DT101 E14 Teaching Yourself Design Thinking + Innovating in Government with Amy J. Wilson — DT101 E19 Democracy as a Design Problem with Whitney Quesenbery — DT101 E68

This week's Possibility Project: Equity is a growing focus for much of the work that we do in the sector, but what is the role of empathy specifically? Even more specifically, what is the role of empathy in social change work and how it intersects with policy, service design, and tech? We want to talk about: What are the core values in the sector that align around equity + empathy? In a sector known for addressing human needs, how do we bring more humanity to the work? What are ways that power and agency can be shared? What does a holistic problem-solving approach include? We will dive in and explore this topic with our three amazing guests: Amy J. Wilson, Author of Empathy for Change: How to Create a More Understanding World | CEO, Empathy for Change Mari Nakano, Design Director, Service Design Studio, NYC Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity Mai-Ling Garcia, Head of Digital Strategy & Engagement at City and County of San Francisco We welcome support of the Nonprofit SnapCast via Patreon. We welcome your questions and feedback via The Nonprofit Snapshot website.

How do we even start creating a more empathetic society? Even more specifically, what is our own personal role and responsibility in enriching the world? These are just two of the questions that I talk about with my guest, community builder, innovation expert and author Amy Wilson on today's episode. Creating a more empathetic society starts with all of us taking action, but it also requires leaders who understand and value this duty as well. If we want systems or organizations to change, we need to get innovative about new solutions and new definitions of power - but it also requires a pledge for all of us, as leaders, to act with integrity, equity, and honesty. Stay tuned for a great conversation with actionable items that we all can do today.  Key Takeaways:There are four things that need to be brought together with empathy: dignity, curiosity, equity, and humility. When it comes to awareness, there is no silver bullet solution, but rather a million approaches that can be taken. Globalization is realizing that we have shared power. Power is a currency that you can give to people at different times.  "We're at a crossroads right now. We either go down the path of narcissism, of power over people, or the path of empathy and giving up power and giving agency to the people to change the world around them. We have to make this decision soon." —  Amy J. Wilson About Amy J. Wilson: Amy J. Wilson is a community builder, movement maker, and an empathy advocate. Her journey to sparking change started in AmeriCorps, leading a project to rebuild 50 homes in four months in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. She was a chief architect of Booz Allen Hamilton's Building a Culture of Innovation movement, which transformed the 100-year old firm. Amy later served for three years as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, where she created a shared language and led a movement for innovation and change in government. In her debut book, Empathy for Change: How to Create a More Understanding World, she hopes to inspire others to embrace kindness to enrich the world. In her free time, she enjoys baking pies, traveling internationally, and telling stories.We talked about how her past experience as a public entrepreneur framed her thinking on empathy, why the AmeriCorps pledge is so important for today's leaders, and Empathy Deficit Disorder, which may be why it's so hard for us to speak truth to power. Connect with Amy:  Website: www.amyjwilson.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amyjwilsonTwitter: twitter.com/RealAmyJWilsonInstagram: instagram.com/realamyjwilson Don't forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria's brand strategy work and books: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice

How do we even start creating a more empathetic society? Even more specifically, what is our own personal role and responsibility in enriching the world? These are just two of the questions that I talk about with my guest, community builder, innovation expert and author Amy Wilson on today's episode. Creating a more empathetic society starts with all of us taking action, but it also requires leaders who understand and value this duty as well. If we want systems or organizations to change, we need to get innovative about new solutions and new definitions of power - but it also requires a pledge for all of us, as leaders, to act with integrity, equity, and honesty. Stay tuned for a great conversation with actionable items that we all can do today.  Key Takeaways:There are four things that need to be brought together with empathy: dignity, curiosity, equity, and humility. When it comes to awareness, there is no silver bullet solution, but rather a million approaches that can be taken. Globalization is realizing that we have shared power. Power is a currency that you can give to people at different times.  "We're at a crossroads right now. We either go down the path of narcissism, of power over people, or the path of empathy and giving up power and giving agency to the people to change the world around them. We have to make this decision soon." —  Amy J. Wilson About Amy J. Wilson: Amy J. Wilson is a community builder, movement maker, and an empathy advocate. Her journey to sparking change started in AmeriCorps, leading a project to rebuild 50 homes in four months in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. She was a chief architect of Booz Allen Hamilton's Building a Culture of Innovation movement, which transformed the 100-year old firm. Amy later served for three years as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, where she created a shared language and led a movement for innovation and change in government. In her debut book, Empathy for Change: How to Create a More Understanding World, she hopes to inspire others to embrace kindness to enrich the world. In her free time, she enjoys baking pies, traveling internationally, and telling stories.We talked about how her past experience as a public entrepreneur framed her thinking on empathy, why the AmeriCorps pledge is so important for today's leaders, and Empathy Deficit Disorder, which may be why it's so hard for us to speak truth to power. Connect with Amy:  Website: www.amyjwilson.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amyjwilsonTwitter: twitter.com/RealAmyJWilsonInstagram: instagram.com/realamyjwilson Don't forget to download your free guide! Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy: http://red-slice.com/business-benefits-empathy Connect with Maria: Get the podcast and book: TheEmpathyEdge.comLearn more about Maria's brand strategy work and books: Red-Slice.comHire Maria to speak at your next event: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-RossLinkedIn: Maria RossInstagram: @redslicemariaTwitter: @redsliceFacebook: Red Slice

Watch the YouTube video here, or listen in as Let's Care (www.lets.care) founder and host Matt Scott (@MattScottGW) interviews Amy Wilson (@AmyJWilson), Author of “Empathy for Change” and an epic storyteller, social impact entrepreneur, ecosystem builder, strategist, and innovator , as part of the Let's Care LIVE Saturday Conversation Series. “In Empathy for Change, former White House entrepreneur-in-residence Amy J. Wilson dives into the intricate science of empathy, debunking common myths and sharing practical uses for a better society. Having built cultures of innovation and change across multiple sectors, she knows that when we do not design with compassion, we remove the humanity and closeness we have to one another.” Learn more about Amy: https://www.amyjwilson.com Get her book: https://www.amyjwilson.com/empathyforchange --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/letsyoucare/message

For three years, Amy J. Wilson served as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, where she led a movement to create positive change in government. In this episode, she talks about her debut book, Empathy for Change, and describes why we should all embrace kindness if we want a better world. CONNECT WITH AMY ✩ LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyjwilson/ ✩ Website- https://www.amyjwilson.com CONNECT WITH ANITA ✩ Email - purposefulempathy@gmail.com ✩ Website - https://www.anitanowak.com/ ✩ LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/anita-nowak-phd-9770253a ✩ Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/anitanowak21/ ✩ Twitter - https://twitter.com/anitanowak21 ✩ Facebook Page -https://www.facebook.com/PurposefulEmpathy ✩ Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1617454411751130 ✩ Spotify Link-https://open.spotify.com/show/1kUXlB4PsfzHaNj00GSMzG?si=rxmYHlXMR-GYr7eWlhazfQ This episode was brought to you by Grand Heron International REACH THEM AT ✩ Website-www.grandheroninternational.ca; www.coachingonsite.ca; www.ghi.coach ✩ LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/grand-heron-international/ ✩ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/grandheroninternational/ ✩ Instagram - @Grand_Heron_International ✩ Twitter - @GrandHeronIntl; https://twitter.com/GrandHeronIntl Video Edited by David Tsvariani

Ryann Hoffman is a system designer and design leader specializing in design and complex systems and working with organizations to develop capacity in design thinking and innovation operations.   Show Summary Ryann’s path into design came from an early love of music, playing classical piano, and music composition. She did freelance design projects for teachers while in high school. By the time she went to college, she had strong design and communication skills, and had learned the power of storytelling. Ryann started out with plans for a degree in English, but switched to Sociology and fell in love with it from her very first introductory course. After undergrad, she spent several years working in various fields, including nonprofits and a music tech startup, where she brought her digital communications and design skills to bear on projects like promotional videos, visual design for reports and collaterals, and systems design for music distribution.   While in grad school for Public Administration, she took a class called “Coping with Wicked Problems,” where she was introduced to design thinking. After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C. became a member of Design Thinking DC, and started what would become her career in systems design, leading to her civic design work today with cities across America and international organizations like The World Bank and the Government of Madagascar.   Listen in to learn about:       Design Thinking D.C.       System design at the municipal and federal level       Advice for launching a new design team       The surprising way “tedium” can trip up a design project       Innovation Transformation       Helping design teams that are working with emotional, difficult topics       Power and identity in design       Post-traumatic growth and helping people find a path to it in positive ways       The importance of designers learning facilitation   Our Guest’s Bio Ryann Hoffman is a systems designer most in flow working in complex problem spaces. She's built and led design work across industries and at organizations including The World Bank and The Government of Madagascar, Capital One, Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital, and ConsenSys. Through leading and practicing design, Ryann found purpose in developing teams. She watched the most well-intentioned, competent teams struggle to create impact because they lacked the support and curriculum to imbue design beyond densely packed workshops or sprints, and into their daily workflows, collaborations, and mindsets. As a Design Coach and Instructor, Ryann has worked with Harvard University and the Bloomberg Foundation, AmeriCorps, ConsenSys, Sunrun, and other leading institutions leveraging design to make their respective dents in the world's challenges. Her circuitous route to this calling includes her Masters in Public Administration, a stint in the music industry, and an early foundation in digital media production and visual design. When she's not working, Ryann loves learning about the brain and aspires to be more mindful.   Show Highlights [02:05] How Ryann’s love of music led her to develop digital design and communications skills. [03:57] Making the switch from English literature to Sociology. [05:14] Ryann’s post-undergrad work. [08:05] The graduate course on dealing with wicked problems that introduced Ryann to design thinking. [11:38] Moving to Washington, D.C. after graduation. [13:22] Ryann and Dawan talk about Design Thinking D.C. [17:44] Ryann talks about her work as a civic designer and facilitator. [19:48] What Ryann loves about working at the city level of design. [23:17] How working with cities helps designers build a varied and robust skillset. [25:30] How Ryann helps design teams learn and apply design thinking tools and methods in their work. [28:18] Ryann offers advice for getting a new design team off to a good start. [29:40] The area that is often overlooked by new design teams and organizations looking to innovate. [32:24] Innovation transformation and the 3 things critical for a design team to learn if they want to succeed. [34:23] On the need for organizations to not be afraid to try different methods and processes to see what works best. [36:06] One of the most difficult challenges for leaders when they start working with design thinking. [37:24] How power and identity can create challenges in design thinking work. [38:57] Ryann talks about early struggles with perfectionism. [39:36] Divergent and convergent thinking, and the importance of working with and supporting team members. [42:13] Why trust is so important for teams and the importance of creative conflict. [43:29] Ryann’s recent focus on stress on systems and the psychological field of post-traumatic growth. [46:16] Reframing how we think about the things that cause us harm and stress. [49:23] Why facilitation is an important skill for designers and anyone working in design thinking. [56:18] Lessons Ryann learned about remote work. [57:07] Remote work can make it easier to integrate design into an organization’s workflows. [58:14] Finding and learning the tools to help create an engaging online experience. [1:00:06] The difference between remote and in-person interactions. [1:03:47] Seeing areas of weakness as opportunities. [1:05:43] Where to find out more about Ryann and her work.   Links  Ryann Hoffman on LinkedIn Staircase Strategy Book Recommendation: Antifragile: Things That Gain From Disorder, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Book Recommendation: Stronger By Stress: Adapt to Beneficial Stressors to Improve Your Health and Strengthen the Body, by Siim Land Psychology Today, “Why Virtual Communication Can Leave You Worn Out” Brené Brown, The power of vulnerability    Other Design Thinking 101 Episodes You Might Like Design Thinking for the Public Sector + Building and Training Design Thinking Teams with Stephanie Wade — DT101 E14 Teaching Yourself Design Thinking + Innovating in Government with Amy J. Wilson — DT101 E19 Adding System Awareness to System Design to Your Innovation Stack with Julie Guinn — DT101 E43 More Design Thinking 101 Episodes   ________________  Thank you for listening to the show and looking at the show notes. Send your questions, suggestions, and guest ideas to Dawan and the Fluid Hive team. Cheers ~ Dawan Download the Design-Driven Innovation Project Launch Guide — Guide to launching innovation projects and avoiding common innovation traps Design-Driven Innovation. Innovation Smart Start Webinar — Take your innovation projects from frantic to focused! Fluid Hive: Learn — A growing collection of courses, webinars, and articles for people expanding their design thinking, service design, and human-centered design skills.  

Former White House Presidential Innovation Fellow and best-selling author Amy J. Wilson weighs in on leading change with compassion, the importance of community, and diversity of thought. Learn more about her perspective as we discuss:her experiences inside the Obama and Trump AdministrationsEmpathy for Change, her debut best-selling bookbuilding 50 homes in 4 months after Hurricane Katrinaeliminating systems of oppression by reshaping cultureGuest BiographyAmy J. Wilson is a change leader, community builder, movement maker, and an empathy advocate. Her journey to sparking change started in AmeriCorps*NCCC, leading a project to rebuild 50 homes in four months in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. She was a chief architect of Booz Allen Hamilton’s Building a Culture of Innovation movement, which transformed the 100-year firm.Amy later served for three years as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, where she created a shared language and led a movement for innovation and change in government. In her debut book, Empathy for Change, she hopes to inspire others to embrace kindness to enrich the world. In her free time, she enjoys baking pies, traveling internationally, and telling stories.Connect with Amy:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterAmy's BookEmpathy for Change---Lady Grey is an award-winning international entertainer and educator. She has been at the helm of numerous performing arts organizations and has performed everywhere from Broadway to the Sydney Olympics. She currently serves as Artistic Director of Lady Grey's Lovelies and continues to work as a mentor and empowerment coach.Connect with Lady GreyFacebookInstagramLive Outrageously Website

Douglas Ferguson is the founder of Voltage Control, a workshop agency on a mission to rid the world of horrible meetings. We talk about teams, design sprints, prototyping, and creating meetings that matter.   Show Summary   As a coder during the 90s tech bubble, Douglas discovered that he loved working as part cross-functional teams often found in startup companies, and wearing different hats as needed during a project. When the Agile Manifesto came out in early 2001, Douglas realized that a lot of its principles were things he and his teams had already been doing. He began combining Agile and Lean methodologies to find ways teams can work together better.   Douglas’ company, Voltage Control, focuses on helping teams learn how to better collaborate. During our conversation, we talk about the hallmarks of a well-functioning team, Douglas’ work with organizations using design sprints and prototyping, and how Douglas’ new book, Magical Meetings, is helping us all be able to have better, more meaningful and productive meetings.    Listen in to learn more about: The traits of a well-functioning team How prototyping can help an organization The ins and outs of design sprints The two questions to ask when designing the test for a prototype Douglas’ new book, Magical Meetings How to have better meetings, no matter what industry you’re in Adapting to the new virtual meeting space   Our Guest’s Bio   Douglas is an entrepreneur and human-centered technologist with over 20 years of experience. He is president of Voltage Control, an Austin-based workshop agency that specializes in Design Sprints and innovation workshops. Prior to Voltage Control, Douglas held CTO positions at numerous Austin startups, where he led product and engineering teams using agile, lean, and human-centered design principles. While CTO at Twyla, Douglas worked directly with Google Ventures running Design Sprints and now brings this experience and process to companies everywhere.     Show Highlights   [01:36] Douglas talks about how he got into design and his focus on teams and teamwork. [03:57] Launching Voltage Control to help teams work better together. [04:30] How a well-functioning team evolves. [05:05] The importance of trust between team members. [05:36] Douglas connects the Gallup’s Q12 survey to team trust. [08:06] How Douglas introduces teams to prototyping. [08:51] Creating a vision document of how the team might use prototyping. [09:23] Why Douglas needs to understand the shared values of a team. [11:01] Two tactics Douglas uses to help teams come to a shared understanding. [14:30] Douglas defines prototyping. [14:43] Douglas shares one of his favorite examples of prototyping: the five pound weight. [17:16] Prototypes help teams separate the problem space from the solution space. [18:50] How Douglas facilitates team prototyping. [19:41] The two components of a design sprint. [20:10] The importance of the question “What is the test we need to run?” when designing a prototype. [20:30] The Riskiest Assumption Test (RAT). [22:00] The two questions Douglas asks after deciding on the prototype test. [22:57] Setting expectations for a design sprint and avoiding the “design sprint slump.” [23:44] A design sprint is only the beginning of the work. [24:30] Why it’s important for an organization’s leadership to understand what design sprints can and can’t do. [25:00] Prototyping is intended to give insights and understanding of the problem space to provide direction for the work to come. [26:55] Leadership must understand there is more work to do after the design sprint. [28:49] Design sprints as design research. [29:46] Douglas talks about “branding” the design sprint. [31:11] How Douglas is gathering facilitation techniques and tools from different industries and applying them to help us all improve our meetings. [33:22] Douglas’ new book, Magical Meetings. [34:03] How meeting participants can help the meeting facilitator. [35:10] Magical Meetings offers action steps and principles anyone can use to improve their meetings. [36:11] Douglas offers his thoughts on remote work and virtual meetings, and COVID-19 is changin his work. [37:53] Advice for those holding virtual workshops and meetings. [38:45] Intentionally designing virtual experiences.   [40:35] Two virtual tools Douglas recommends for those creating online experiences. [42:21] Where to find out more about Douglas and his work.   Links Douglas on LinkedIn Douglas on The Future Shapers Douglas' posts on Medium What is design thinking? Bringing Design Thinking into Technology Voltage Control Beyond the Prototype Inside Innovation - Inside Outside podcast with Douglas Beyond the Prototype - Techblog Writer UK podcast episode with Douglas Gallup’s Q12 Survey Loom screencasting tool Session Lab workshop planning tool     Other Design Thinking 101 Episodes You Might Like     Stakeholder-Centered Design, Design Thinking in Large Organizations, and Critique for Design Teams with Jean-Louis Racine — DT01 E3   Teaching Yourself Design Thinking + Innovating in Government with Amy J. Wilson — DT101 E19   Designing Your Team + Teams in Design Education + Coaching Design Teams with Mary Sherwin and David Sherwin — DT101 E49   ________________   Thank you for listening to the show and looking at the show notes. Send your questions, suggestions, and guest ideas to Dawan and the Fluid Hive team. Cheers ~ Dawan   Fluid Hive’s Ask Like a Designer — Monthly articles with design ideas, methods, frameworks, templates, and a question-fueled approach to design-driven innovation. Discover new ways to learn, lead and apply design-driven innovation.   Free Download — Design Driven Innovation: Avoid Innovation Traps with These 9 Steps   Innovation Smart Start Webinar — Take your innovation projects from frantic to focused!

The Better Government Movement, Amy explains today, is built for public servants. She realized that the baton (in terms of innovation and transformation in building 21st-century government) isn’t adequately being passed on. She collaborated on research on creating change and transformation in government, and the best ways to create something that is useful and scalable across government. When Amy was getting started with the initial conversations around innovation and design in this realm, she started with the people who were leaning into the conversation. These early adopters, she explains, are the people who will help you unlock what the culture or organization should turn into. In addition to this powerful insight into getting through to the right people, Amy will dig into how to pass the torch and help to ensure that processes are passed on. Amy will also share tips and insights into how to teach and support innovators, including focusing on learning to relieve pressure, and to get comfortable with ambiguity. She’ll dig into how and why she created her own innovation toolkit, and how it stemmed from her work at the Better Government Movement. She’ll explore her personal journey (and the tendencies that lead her toward burnout), list some resources and references that might interest listeners, and offer powerful insights that I hope will help you along your own design thinking journey! Learn More About Today’s Guest Amy J. Wilson Amy J. Wilson on LinkedIn Better Government Movement In This Episode [01:17] — We hear about Amy’s innovation and design journey, from where she got started to how she arrived where she is today. [06:48] — Dawan takes a moment to talk about the pathway into design thinking. [08:24] — Amy talks about the history of the Better Government movement, where it is now, and how she’s applying her skills there. [11:48] — We learn about the plan Amy came up with to translate the information she had found into something that many people could access. [15:33] — How did Amy navigate the initial conversations around design and innovation to get people active? [17:50] — Dawan talks about the sweet spot in the double diamond, and Amy discusses ways that she provided value. [22:22] — How does Amy’s work live on today in terms of the terms and processes she used, or the impact she had? [27:12] — Amy talks about what she learned from her first cohort about what works when supporting innovators. [31:13] — We hear more about staying in the problem space, and a specific risk that comes along with it. [33:10] — Amy talks about an innovation toolkit that came out of her Better Government work. [39:32] — What are some of Amy’s recommendations for people trying to communicate around innovation with people working in government? [42:29] — We learn about some of the things that Amy has pulled from her journey in terms of change and transformation. [48:26] — Dawan invites listeners to close their eyes, imagine standing on a platform and not wanting to jump, but feeling the heat of the platform burning behind you. That, he points out, is the kind of urgency to go for. [52:12] — Amy has been on her own personal journey associated with what Dawan has been talking about, she explains. [55:58] — Dawan talks about one of the joys of prototyping. [57:04] — Are there any resources or references that have been really useful for Amy? [59:50] — How can people learn more about Amy and her work? Links and Resources yes@designthinking101.com (Dawan Stanford) Amy J. Wilson Amy J. Wilson on LinkedIn Better Government Movement GitHub Lean Startup Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore 18F Methods Amy’s toolkit and playbook publication on her website Compendium of design thinking resources compiled by Amy’s friend Design Thinking 101 episode 13: From Branding to Design + Teaching Design Teams + Leading Summer of Design with Karen Hold Design Thinking 101 episode 14: Design Thinking for the Public Sector + Building and Training Design Thinking Teams with Stephanie Wade

The Better Government Movement, Amy explains today, is built for public servants. She realized that the baton (in terms of innovation and transformation in building 21st-century government) isn't adequately being passed on. She collaborated on research on creating change and transformation in government, and the best ways to create something that is useful and scalable across government. When Amy was getting started with the initial conversations around innovation and design in this realm, she started with the people who were leaning into the conversation. These early adopters, she explains, are the people who will help you unlock what the culture or organization should turn into. In addition to this powerful insight into getting through to the right people, Amy will dig into how to pass the torch and help to ensure that processes are passed on. Amy will also share tips and insights into how to teach and support innovators, including focusing on learning to relieve pressure, and to get comfortable with ambiguity. She'll dig into how and why she created her own innovation toolkit, and how it stemmed from her work at the Better Government Movement. She'll explore her personal journey (and the tendencies that lead her toward burnout), list some resources and references that might interest listeners, and offer powerful insights that I hope will help you along your own design thinking journey! Learn More About Today's Guest Amy J. Wilson Amy J. Wilson on LinkedIn Better Government Movement In This Episode [01:17] — We hear about Amy's innovation and design journey, from where she got started to how she arrived where she is today. [06:48] — Dawan takes a moment to talk about the pathway into design thinking. [08:24] — Amy talks about the history of the Better Government movement, where it is now, and how she's applying her skills there. [11:48] — We learn about the plan Amy came up with to translate the information she had found into something that many people could access. [15:33] — How did Amy navigate the initial conversations around design and innovation to get people active? [17:50] — Dawan talks about the sweet spot in the double diamond, and Amy discusses ways that she provided value. [22:22] — How does Amy's work live on today in terms of the terms and processes she used, or the impact she had? [27:12] — Amy talks about what she learned from her first cohort about what works when supporting innovators. [31:13] — We hear more about staying in the problem space, and a specific risk that comes along with it. [33:10] — Amy talks about an innovation toolkit that came out of her Better Government work. [39:32] — What are some of Amy's recommendations for people trying to communicate around innovation with people working in government? [42:29] — We learn about some of the things that Amy has pulled from her journey in terms of change and transformation. [48:26] — Dawan invites listeners to close their eyes, imagine standing on a platform and not wanting to jump, but feeling the heat of the platform burning behind you. That, he points out, is the kind of urgency to go for. [52:12] — Amy has been on her own personal journey associated with what Dawan has been talking about, she explains. [55:58] — Dawan talks about one of the joys of prototyping. [57:04] — Are there any resources or references that have been really useful for Amy? [59:50] — How can people learn more about Amy and her work? Links and Resources yes@designthinking101.com (Dawan Stanford) Amy J. Wilson Amy J. Wilson on LinkedIn Better Government Movement GitHub Lean Startup Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A. Moore 18F Methods Amy's toolkit and playbook publication on her website Compendium of design thinking resources compiled by Amy's friend Design Thinking 101 episode 13: From Branding to Design + Teaching Design Teams + Leading Summer of Design with Karen Hold Design Thinking 101 episode 14: Design Thinking for the Public Sector + Building and Training Design Thinking Teams with Stephanie Wade