Design Thinking for Agenda 2030: What business leaders should know

?? Exploring Design Thinking's Role in Sustainable Business Leadership ??

In my recent class at ESCP Business School Berlin campus called "Design Thinking 2030: What Business Leaders Should Know," I tried to intertwine the United Nations' Agenda 2030 ( Sustainable Development Goals) with actionable insights for business leaders. But how exactly does Design Thinking fit into this sustainability equation?

The goal was to empower executives and decision-makers within organizations to navigate the intricate terrain of social and environmental sustainability challenges through Design Thinking—a mindset, a process, and a methodology.

After immersing themselves in this intensive, hands-on learning experience, participants emerged with the ability to:

?? Shape Spaces for Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues by Design

?? Adopt Methods & Tools for Multi-Stakeholder Engagements

?? Manage Uncertainty Through an Emergent Strategy Approach

Ultimately they learned to DARE TO CHALLENGE the status quo by asking WHY?and IMAGINE possible futures trough PROTOTYPING.

This year, we embraced the innovation-rich prompts from MINDSHAKE PT game cards, specifically the "Design Thinking for Circular Economy" set.

Furthermore, Leyla Acaroglu recent LinkedIn online class served as a wellspring of inspiration for our 6 levels of circular economy (more about it in a next article).

But there's more!

Our cohort of 30 executives hailing from 10 countries and representing 8 diverse industries embarked on the following self selected sustainability challenges:

?? How can we reduce the negative impact of data warehouses in Norway?

?? How can we create sustainable approaches to refurbishing or building houses in London?

?? How can we mitigate the climate impact of air-conditioned buildings in Dubai, aligning with COP 2028 requirements for real estate developers?

?? How can we address the waste problem stemming from single-use veils in the pharmaceutical industry (EU)?

?? How can we support local leaders in humanitarian disasters to reduce single-use packaging (examples from Turkey and Lebanon)?

The results were nothing short of remarkable:

1?? A groundbreaking material innovation combining bamboo and algae, light enough to conquer logistical challenges yet hygienic enough for food and immediate relief item transport.

2?? A compelling lobbying effort for regulations to recycle veils, akin to beer bottles, in Germany.

3?? An innovative exterior painting formula integrated with data measurements for smart buildings.

4?? A holistic consultancy service, encompassing legal, technical, and strategic expertise, in close collaboration with local municipalities, banks, refurbishers, architects, and designers.

5?? A behavior change initiative effectively nudging consumers to reduce their reliance on cloud-based social media apps.

This is the power of Design Thinking—creating sustainable solutions, fostering innovation, and driving positive change in a world that needs it more than ever.

Let's continue the dialogue on sustainable business leadership and Design Thinking. Share your thoughts and experiences below! ????

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