When was the last time you did something purely for your own growth? No, I’m not talking about learning a new TikTok dance that your daughter forced you to do for her social media or finally getting around to that ‘mindfulness’ app you downloaded last year. I’m talking about the kind of growth that scares you a little, that shakes up the cobwebs in your brain and makes you see the world differently. If you’re drawing a blank, you’re not alone.
As a business leader, it’s easy to rest on what is comfortable, keep things puttering along. Comfortable doesn’t get things moving. Not rocking the boat means something is stagnating. Neglecting personal development is a sneaky little trap that we all fall into, leading to stagnation and a drought of fresh ideas. But here’s the thing—staying in your comfort zone isn’t just boring; it’s risky. You know what they say: “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
In my work as a visual thinker, I’ve seen firsthand how this stagnation can cripple innovation and energy within teams and organisations. That’s why they come to us, to shake things up, to try something new. The truth is, most people don’t even realise they’re stuck until someone or something shakes them awake. My mission is to democratise knowledge through creative excellence and visual thinking, and I’ve built a methodology that doesn’t just inform—it transforms.
Let me introduce you to the four pillars of our storytelling DNA, the secret sauce that makes the work that I do not just engaging but downright transformative:
Inform: Imagine if you had all the right information, laid out clearly and creatively. No more wading through jargon or getting lost in endless data; death by PowerPoint, we’ve all been there! We make sure you and your audience understand exactly what’s at stake, cutting through the noise with visual thinking that makes complex information accessible and engaging. It’s not just about info dumping—it’s about making sure the right message sticks, correcting misconceptions, and providing the clarity you need to make smart decisions.
Develop: Information is great, but what do you do with it? We take it a step further by teaching new skills and changing how you and your team approach challenges. Creative storytelling not only imparts knowledge but reshapes the way you work, communicate, and lead. Think of it as upgrading your brain’s operating system, giving you the tools to overcome obstacles and push boundaries.
Enable: Knowledge is power, but action is where the magic happens. You don’t need a lecture and to be sent on your way. You need to take meaningful action, turning insights into strategies and skills into results. It’s about empowering you to implement changes that drive real, tangible outcomes. Make sure that the ideas don’t just spark in your head—they get your feet moving in the right direction.
Animate: Finally, I believe that the most powerful change happens when it’s fuelled by inspiration. Good storytelling speaks to the brain as well as it speaks to the heart, connecting with your audience on an emotional level, driving engagement, loyalty, and commitment. It’s this emotional connection that turns good ideas into movements and makes change not just possible but inevitable.
Stagnation isn’t your destiny, and the challenges you face aren’t insurmountable. Find a partner to help you in this transformation. Leverage visual thinking expertise, use animated explainer videos, create big pictures, use illustrations, boost these on social media. Break out of that comfort zone and into a space where innovation thrives, and new ideas flow freely.
If you’re ready to leave stagnation behind, you can really grow and thrive. Turn your next big idea into a reality!
If you could pin down the essence of truth, could you draw it? That’s the question that lingered in my mind after speaking with Dan Ariely for my RSA Animate documentary—a project allowing me to reconnect with some of the most compelling thinkers of our time.