Make Your Thinking Visible

I can’t read your mind. Words are good, but we often rely too heavily on what is said and who has said it. But pictures have a way of adding meaning and shifting our focus to the idea instead of the speaker. As a leader, we have to find a way to make our thinking visible. This is because once an idea has been formed (even if it is just a sketch), it can then be seen, interpreted, analyzed, and more importantly – added upon. Visual Thinking can help our team find better solutions and accomplish our vision. It takes many forms or modes, but basically, it is the process of giving visual form to abstract ideas. It may look like sticky notes on a whiteboard, charts, diagrams, or large drawings. And it can be very powerful strategy, especially when applied to leadership and group collaboration.