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DesignThinkers Group

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Nederland
Amsterdam
DesignThinkers Group

Global representation in +25 countries, Design Thinking & Agile Expert Coaches. Empowering Teams Through (Online) Tailored Design Sprints.

Enabling Digital Transformation. Enhancing Human-Centered Mindset. Our mission is to empower teams & professionals to be inspired and challenged, to ‘learn-by-doing’ and strengthen their ability for creative problem solving to kick-start bold innovation and drive positive change. Let's connect on www.designthinkersgroup.com

01/06/2026

It’s Hard to Use AI as a Team. These Practices Can Help!

AI is becoming a bigger part of how teams meet, think, and make decisions. But as this Harvard Business Review article highlights, bringing AI into teamwork is not automatically helpful. Without the right approach, AI can narrow participation, make teams more passive, or shift ownership away from the people in the room. The opportunity lies in building what the article calls “Human-AI Team Chemistry.”

According to Harvard Business Review, teams can work more effectively with AI by engaging with it collectively, using it in flexible roles, and maintaining shared ownership of the interaction. Rather than treating AI as a note-taker or a tool for quick answers, teams can invite it into the conversation with clear context, ask it to take on perspectives such as a challenger, customer, or stakeholder, and pause regularly to assess its output together. This keeps the team in control while allowing AI to support deeper reflection, better alignment, and stronger collaboration.

The key takeaway is that AI works best in teams when it enhances human participation rather than replacing it. By approaching AI with intention, teams can create more inclusive discussions, sharpen their thinking, and improve the quality of their outcomes.

Read the full article here: https://hbr.org/2026/05/its-hard-to-use-ai-as-a-team-these-3-practices-can-help

31/05/2026

This week’s book recommendation is ‘Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity’ by Cas Holman and Lydia Denworth.

In a world focused on productivity and constant achievement, this book reminds us of the importance of play in everyday life. The authors explore how creativity, connection, and emotional wellbeing can grow when we allow ourselves more space for curiosity, imagination, and exploration. Blending research, storytelling, and design thinking, the book highlights how playful experiences can help people recharge, think differently, and approach challenges with greater openness and joy.

The authors argue that play is not just for children, but an essential part of learning, innovation, and human connection at every age. Through examples of “free play” and unstructured creativity, the book encourages readers to let go of perfectionism and embrace experimentation without fear of failure. Overall, this book offers a thoughtful reminder that some of the most meaningful ideas and connections emerge when we make room for spontaneity, curiosity, and fun in our daily lives.

Happy reading!

25/05/2026

Why leaders should let minor mistakes slide

In many workplaces, feedback and performance reviews are meant to support growth and accountability. But this Harvard Business Review article explores an important leadership challenge: when does strict criticism create more harm than good? As organizations continue navigating employee engagement, workplace culture, and retention, the article highlights how overly harsh evaluations can sometimes lead to frustration, disengagement, and even workplace retaliation.

According to the research, managers often soften negative feedback not because they are avoiding responsibility, but because they understand the long-term impact workplace tension can have on team dynamics and performance. The article suggests that while strong performance should still be recognized and rewarded, overlooking smaller mistakes and focusing on constructive communication may help create healthier, more motivated teams. It also emphasizes the importance of fairness, transparency, and separating feedback from punishment whenever possible.

Strong leadership is not only about accountability, it’s also about understanding how people respond to feedback. Creating environments built on trust, communication, and growth can often lead to stronger long-term performance than criticism alone.

Read the full article here: https://hbr.org/2026/05/why-leaders-should-let-minor-mistakes-slide?ab=HP-hero-latest-1

24/05/2026

This week’s book recommendation is ‘What’s the Point? Turning Purpose Into Your Daily Superpower’ by Tom Rath.

In a time when many people are rethinking work, purpose, and fulfillment, this book offers a refreshing perspective on what truly creates meaning in everyday life. The author challenges the idea that happiness comes from simply following your passion, arguing instead that fulfillment grows through helping and contributing to others. Through practical insights and personal experiences, the book explores how purpose can be built into everyday tasks, relationships, and decisions, especially in a world increasingly shaped by AI and automation.

In this book, the author argues that purpose is not something you discover once, but something you create daily through the impact you have on other people. He encourages readers to focus less on personal achievement and more on meaningful contribution, showing how small actions can shape long-term fulfillment and resilience. The book offers a thoughtful reminder that even ordinary moments at work can become opportunities to create value, connection, and lasting impact.

Happy reading!

18/05/2026

Empathetic leadership can make or break AI adoption

The conversation around AI often focuses on speed, productivity, and innovation. Far less attention is given to how people are feeling through this transition. As organizations introduce new technologies into everyday work, many employees are experiencing uncertainty, mistrust, and fear of becoming obsolete. This article explores why empathy and human connection are becoming essential to helping teams adapt, collaborate, and thrive in an AI-driven workplace.

According to Harvard Business Review, employees in empathetic workplaces are more likely to collaborate, innovate, and embrace new technologies with confidence. Research also shows that leaders often overestimate employee enthusiasm for AI, while many workers continue to feel anxious about how AI may impact their roles. The article emphasizes that successful AI adoption depends not only on strong technology strategies, but also on trust, communication, and involving employees in the process of change.

As organizations continue navigating AI transformation, leaders who prioritize empathy alongside innovation may be better positioned to build resilient, engaged, and future-ready teams.
Read the full article here: https://hbr.org/2026/04/empathetic-leadership-can-make-or-break-ai-adoption?ab=HP-topics-text-28

17/05/2026

This week’s book recommendation is ‘What Is Intelligence? Lessons from AI About Evolution, Computing, and Minds’ by Blaise Agüera y Arcas.

As AI becomes a bigger part of everyday life, this book explores what intelligence really means and how it may naturally emerge through evolution and prediction. The author connects ideas from neuroscience, biology, and machine learning to explain how both humans and AI systems learn by anticipating what comes next. The book also raises thoughtful questions about consciousness, free will, and the future relationship between people and intelligent machines.

In this book, the author argues that prediction is at the heart of intelligence, whether in living organisms or modern AI systems. He challenges traditional views of intelligence and explores how advanced AI may share more similarities with human thinking than many expect. The book encourages readers to reflect on how technology is changing our understanding of minds, learning, and what it means to be intelligent.

Happy reading!

11/05/2026

How AI is—and isn’t—changing the future of work

As AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, many organizations are rethinking how work gets done, how employees grow, and what the future of careers may look like. While technology is rapidly transforming workflows and skill demands, McKinsey’s latest research highlights an important insight: the core things people value at work have remained remarkably consistent. Employees still prioritize meaningful work, supportive leadership, flexibility, growth opportunities, and recognition even as AI reshapes the workplace around them.

According to McKinsey, AI adoption in the workplace has grown significantly in recent years, especially among employees using AI tools daily. The research also points to shifts in early-career hiring and growing demand for advanced AI talent, with highly skilled AI users reporting both strong engagement and higher intent to explore new opportunities. Despite these changes, leadership quality, career development, and a positive employee experience continue to be key drivers of retention and long-term success.

As organizations continue adapting to AI, balancing innovation with human-centered leadership may become one of the most important advantages for the future of work.

Read the full article here: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-organization-blog/how-ai-is-and-isnt-changing-the-future-of-work

10/05/2026

This week’s book recommendation is New Approaches to Creating a Culture of Innovation by Fons Trompenaars & Peter Woolliams.

What does it truly take for organisations to stay innovative in a world where ideas are easily replicated and competition is increasingly concentrated? This book explores that question by examining how innovation can move beyond products and processes into the realm of business model differentiation. It highlights the growing importance of embedding innovation into the fabric of an organisation, showing how it can drive sustainable growth and strengthen brand value. By connecting market realities with practical insights, the book offers a compelling perspective on why cultivating a culture of innovation is no longer optional but essential.

The authors argue that innovation thrives when it is anchored in both organisational culture and individual mindset. Drawing on extensive research, the authors present scalable strategies that help companies integrate innovation into their everyday practices, aligning leadership vision with team-level ex*****on. They emphasise the value of embracing diverse perspectives and structured approaches to problem-solving, suggesting that meaningful innovation emerges from this balance. The book highlights the importance of fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged and continuously refined: supporting organisations in staying adaptive and resilient in a rapidly changing landscape.

Happy reading!

03/05/2026

This week’s book recommendation is 'Hidden Patterns: A Playbook for More Human Workplaces' by Clay Parker Jones.

This book explores the idea that work itself isn’t fundamentally broken, but rather shaped by systems that haven’t yet been intentionally designed. It brings to light the “hidden patterns” within organizations: those underlying structures, rituals, and behaviors that quietly influence how decisions are made, how power flows, and how collaboration unfolds. By combining insights from behavioral science and real-world case studies, the book offers a fresh perspective on how workplaces can become more adaptive, intelligent, and human-centered. It highlights the importance of looking beyond traditional frameworks like org charts and instead focusing on how work actually happens in practice.

In this book, the author argues that meaningful organizational change begins with understanding and redesigning these invisible systems. The author emphasizes that many conventional approaches, such as rigid hierarchies or traditional accountability models, often hinder rather than help progress. Instead, the book introduces the concept of dynamic team networks, intentional design of physical and social environments, and the idea of building systems that encourage ownership and experimentation. Ultimately, it suggests that innovation thrives not by chance, but through thoughtful design that embraces complexity and even failure.

Happy reading!

27/04/2026

How to build a superteam that keeps getting better

As change accelerates across industries, a team’s ability to keep learning and evolving has become a true competitive advantage. This article explores what sets high-performing teams apart, revealing that sustained growth is not about quick wins, but about building the right habits, mindset, and culture over time.

According to Harvard Business Review, “superteams” excel because they operate with intention and adaptability. They manage time, energy, and attention effectively, while creating environments where individuals actively help one another improve. These teams embrace experimentation, encourage curiosity, and treat challenges as opportunities to learn and overall fostering a culture where feedback, reflection, and progress are part of everyday work.

Ultimately, lasting success comes from embedding learning into the way teams operate. When people feel supported to experiment, share openly, and grow together, continuous improvement becomes not just a goal, but a natural outcome.

Read the full article here: https://hbr.org/2026/05/how-to-build-a-superteam-that-keeps-getting-better

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Amsterdam
1015SH

Openingstijden

Maandag	09:00 - 17:30
Dinsdag	09:00 - 17:30
Woensdag	09:00 - 17:30
Donderdag	09:00 - 17:30
Vrijdag	09:00 - 17:30

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http://www.designthinkersgroup.com/

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