Design thinking offers a way to explore uncharted territory, uncover options, and solve complex business problems. But as much as leaders need new approaches to create competitive advantage, inspire innovation, and discover new paths for growth, they often don't get the results they expect.1 Participants in design thinking exercises frequently neither understand the process nor have the skills needed to practice it successfully. In such cases, it's no wonder that they become disenchanted or think they have failed.2 To get the benefits of design thinking, leaders need to know when to apply it, and they have to prepare both their employees and managers to do so. Our research has identified the characteristics that make an organization 'design thinking-ready' as well as a strategic approach to adopting it. Design thinking is a discipline that emerged in the last half century or so from studies of innovation processes, problem-solving, and creativity. It takes an iterative, experimental...
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