Thought Design

The truth is, leading a school can often feel like steering a ship through relentless storms - unexpected challenges arise, waves of change crash against established routines, and the horizon sometimes seems fuzzy. Yet, even amidst this chaos, consider the power of finding your lighthouse off the shore. When you feel overwhelmed, I offer the lighthouse metaphor as a space for you to find light not by eliminating the storm but by providing clear direction through it. You must find your way through the fog of daily distractions to be your best. Read the full Empowered Educator blog - https://hubs.ly/Q03db3pr0 #educator #professionaldevelopment #schoolleadership #thoughtdesign #empowerededucator #thoughtleader

Not making a choice is still making a choice. Sometimes, we get paralyzed by the weight of uncertainty, not realizing that avoiding a decision can lead to its own set of consequences. In a previous role, I could feel things shifting in the wrong direction and got very stuck in uncertainty. I wasn’t sure what to do—or even who I could safely talk to about it. What if speaking up cost me my job? What if leaving meant abandoning work and people I deeply cared about? My core value of loyalty was screaming at me to stay. So, I didn’t make a decision. Six months passed. Then seven. Then eight. And in my mind, I was still undecided. But the truth? I had made a choice. I chose to do nothing. I chose to stay stuck. I chose to blame the circumstances instead of stepping into my own power. I wasn’t leading my team—or myself. And honestly? That was the easier choice. I even got to pretend I hadn’t made one. I see this happen all the time with leaders. When uncertainty hits, they freeze. They stop spending. Stop deciding. Stop moving. It feels like the safe choice. But it isn’t. The strongest leaders I know take small, intentional risks—even in the hardest times. If you’re hesitating right now, ask yourself: Are you really waiting to decide? Or have you already chosen to stand still? What’s one area where leaders shouldn’t pull back right now? #Leadership #DecisionMaking #Uncertainty #ThoughtDesign

Is drama and reactivity holding your team back? ?? We’ve all seen it - stress mounts, emotions flare, and suddenly, what was meant to be a productive meeting turns into a battlefield. These reactive behaviors not only disrupt team dynamics but also sabotage psychological safety and engagement. But what if there was a different way to lead through these challenges? A way to move past the drama and start building leaders who take ownership, foster maturity, and create a culture of trust and growth? Join Denise (Van Eck) McClennen, founder of Thought Design, tomorrow, Wednesday, March 26th from 10:20 AM - 11:20 AM, for a session that tackles these issues head-on. In her talk, "When Grown-Ups Need to Grow Up" she’ll share strategies for breaking out of reactive patterns and empowering leaders to drive real, positive change. For more details on Denise’s session at SHRM-Atlanta, check the link in the comments below! #SOAHR2025 #hrprofessionals #hr #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #drama #speaker #psychologicalsafety #thoughtdesign

Meetings don’t have to feel like… meetings. You know the ones - where ideas stall out and progress feels just out of reach. But the space you’re in changes how your team thinks, communicates, and collaborates. The Thought Design environment inspires fresh ideas and drives real results. Swipe through to see the difference between a traditional meeting space vs. Thought Design. If you're ready to rethink your next meeting, let’s connect. #offsitemeetings #employeeengagement #workplaceculture #teambuilding #meetingspace #thoughtdesign

We’re still thinking about the amazing energy from Leaders Unplugged! During the event, we had the pleasure of hearing from two incredible people who shared their experiences. Here’s what they had to say about working with Thought Design: ?? "At first we were like, oh, this is gonna be a time commitment. Like, oh, you know, when we have so many meetings, which we all do, everybody is busy. But we got so much value out of the Empowered Leader program. It created conversation around things that we normally would not discuss. Having different perspectives has made the team stronger at Corewell Health.” -Amber, Corewell Health ?? ?Tara brings this great approach to everything she does. At work, we can look out the window and see the challenges we face—whether it's inflation, tariffs, or the ongoing talent shortage. There’s always something, right? But Tara helps you look at yourself in the mirror and encourages you to be your best self for your team." - Matt, Choice Schools #leadersunplugged #leadershipdevelopment #leadwithimpact #networkingredefined #thoughtdesign #leaderswhogetit

Leaders need more than just another networking event—they need real connection, real conversations, and real takeaways. That’s exactly what happened at Leaders Unplugged. No awkward small talk, no forced elevator pitches—just hands-on experiences, powerful insights, and meaningful discussions about what it actually takes to lead teams in today’s world. - We cooked homemade tortilla chips and salsa together. - We learned from each other. - We connected in ways that actually matter. And the best part? The conversations didn’t stop when the event ended. If you were there, drop your biggest takeaway in the comments! #leadersunplugged #leadershipdevelopment #leadwithimpact #networkingredefined #thoughtdesign #leaderswhogetit

We’re just one day away from Leaders Unplugged, Thought Design's dynamic and interactive networking experience! ?? Food? Check. ?? Great conversations? You bet! ?? Leadership experiences that make an impact? Absolutely! Join us! - https://hubs.ly/Q03c73Nx0 #leadersunplugged #leadership #networking #grandrapids #thoughtdesign

Want to see your team’s true dynamics? Put them in the kitchen. ?? - No pointless meetings - No trust falls - Just real-time collaboration, problem-solving, and (hopefully) a delicious outcome. Cooking together reveals: - Who steps up under pressure - Who listens vs. takes over - Who adapts when things go wrong Would your team survive the kitchen? Let’s hear about it in the comments! #cooking #culinaryteambuilding #teambuilding #teamwork #leadership #grandrapidsmi #experiencegr #thoughtdesign