Thought Design

Who’s attending the @shrmatlanta #SOAHR Conference on March 25-26? Denise is speaking! Her session, "When Grown-Ups Need to Grow Up: Reducing Drama, Fostering Ownership, and Developing Maturity in Leaders," explores how leadership drama and reactivity undermine psychological safety and engagement. Add it to your schedule and stop by our booth (504!) to connect! #SOAHR2025 #hrprofessionals #hr #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #drama #speaker #psychologicalsafety #thoughtdesign

Get ready to chop, stir, and collaborate! Our team-building culinary experiences are all about hands-on cooking, real teamwork, and plenty of fun—no lectures, just action. #cooking #teambuilding #culinaryadventures #grandrapidsmi #experiencegr #thoughtdesign

The Moment: You’re sitting in your millionth meeting of the day, and your frustration is rising. The conversation loops back to the same topic for the third time, still with no conclusion, and the meeting is almost over. Another hour gone. Another decision kicked down the road. You close your laptop, defeated, and wonder, ‘Why do we even bother meeting if we’re not going to make progress?’ Read the full Mindshift Moments blog - https://hubs.ly/Q0394lnW0 #leadershipdevelopment #bettermeetings #psychologicalsafety #mindshiftmoments #thoughtdesign

Leading a team is exhausting. The pressure to have all the answers, keep things moving, and support everyone else—it never stops. But who’s in your corner? Who’s challenging you to think differently and push past the leadership roadblocks that keep showing up? That’s why we’re hosting Leaders Unplugged—a free event for real talk, fresh ideas, and meaningful conversations with other leaders who get it. Step away from the daily grind. Plug into something different. And yes, there will be great food. Join Us! - https://hubs.ly/Q0391ZQ90 #leadersunplugged #leadership #professionalconnetions #networking #grandrapids #thoughtdesign

What’s one thing that’s helped you navigate conflict? Last Friday morning, the Thought Design team did what we ask other teams to do...we put in the work. We spent time learning about conflict, how perspectives shape it, and how to move from toxic to productive conversations. We also practiced radical candor (because saying what needs to be said and caring personally is a skill). We don’t just teach this stuff—we live it. And it makes us better every time. #conflict #radicalcandor #teambuilding #professionaldevelopment #thoughtdesign #grandrapids

A few years ago, Tara learned a hard leadership lesson...the kind that sticks with you. Listen to her story and discover how you can avoid making the same mistake. Now’s the time to invest in your leadership before the year slips into reaction mode. Instead of spending another six months stuck in the same patterns, you can create real momentum where your team takes ownership, speaks up, and steps into leadership. Secure your spot in our next Empowered Leader cohort by March 5th. Contact us to enroll today! #leadership #training #empoweredleader #professionaldevelopment #thoughtdesign #thoughtleader

Have you ever walked a familiar trail and suddenly felt like you were exploring it for the first time? I walked the trail in reverse on a recent hike instead of sticking to my usual path. And it was a perspective changer! Suddenly, this trail I thought I knew so well became unrecognizable. I found myself walking slower and noticing details I had somehow not seen in all my previous hikes. This hike felt like exploring a new place, even though I’d been here many times before. And you know what…I enjoyed it even more! Read the full Empowered Educator blog here! - https://hubs.ly/Q038rrkG0 #education #educator #principal #leadership #professionaldevelopment #thoughtdesign #thoughtleader

Last week at the #ESEAConference, I had the incredible opportunity to hear Bryan Stevenson speak about the power of proximity—and it hit home in such a profound way. Stevenson’s message was clear: If we want to achieve transformative change, we must get proximate to people. We don’t have to agree. We don’t have to justify. But we do need to step close enough to see, hear, and understand. This idea of proximity is just as crucial in the work of cultural change within organizations. Too often, leaders try to fix issues from a distance—through policies, strategies, or assumptions about what’s happening on the ground. But real transformation happens when we get close to our teams, listen to their experiences, and understand the realities they face. So grateful for this powerful reminder that change—whether in society, schools, or workplaces—starts with stepping closer. #Leadership #Proximity #CultureChange #BryanStevenson #TransformativeChange #ThoughtDesign

This isn’t your typical networking event. Leaders Unplugged is all about real conversations, fresh perspectives, and experiences that shake up the way you think about leadership. Picture this: a room full of brilliant, like-minded leaders, engaging conversations that go beyond small talk, and an interactive experience that will leave you thinking long after you leave. Oh, and did we mention the food? If you're ready to unplug from the usual and plug into something different, this is for you. We'll link the RSVP page down below in the comments ?? #leadersunplugged #leadership #networking #grandrapids #thoughtdesign