Navigating Election Uncertainty with Design Thinking
As we approach election season, it’s easy to anticipate a range of reactions—some of us might feel ecstatic, others indifferent, and some disappointed. Uncertainty can challenge team morale, individual performance, and even disrupt programming and fundraising efforts. So, how can we manage this?
Design thinking gives us a way forward, offering a practical, people-centered approach to help schools and nonprofits address the unique needs of our teams and communities during unpredictable times. Let’s walk through how each phase can guide our planning.
🧠 Empathy: Start with Your People
First, tune in to what your people are feeling. Emotions are running high, so give space—whether through check-ins, surveys, or 1:1 chats—for folks to share where they’re at. Empathy is all about listening and creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard.
🔍 Define: Nail Down the Real Challenges
What issues are most pressing? Here are some questions to clarify:
• Employee Wellbeing: Will your team need extra support, like mental health resources or personal days?
• Public Communication: Will you make a statement? If so, what tone feels right and aligns with your organization’s values?
• Impact on Programs: How could election results affect the people you serve?
• Handling Differences: How will you support respectful exchanges, especially if opinions diverge?
This step helps pinpoint your organization’s specific needs.
💡 Ideate: Brainstorm Creative Solutions
Now, it’s time to generate ideas. Think about responses that help create a supportive environment:
• Offer flexible hours or personal days if people need time to process.
• Create open dialogue opportunities, helping people feel safe to share.
• If you decide to make a public statement, try drafting a few versions and get feedback.
Brainstorm, then pick a few ideas to test out.
🛠 Prototype: Start Small, Learn Quickly
Once you have some ideas, try them on a small scale. Here’s how:
• Pilot a Check-In: Hold a post-election check-in to see how everyone’s doing.
• Test Public Statements: Draft a couple of versions and gather feedback from key team members.
• Host a Drop-In Session: Set up a virtual or in-person space where people can process the results together in a supportive environment.
Starting small lets you see what works before rolling out a full plan.
🧪 Test and Iterate
Gather feedback and learn from it. Did your approach meet people’s needs? Testing and iterating allow you to adjust as you go. If something’s not working, go back to Empathy and listen closely to what your team needs now.
🔄 Be Ready to Pivot
Roll out your plan but stay flexible—post-election weeks can bring unexpected developments. Design thinking is about continuous learning and refining, so be ready to adapt and improve with each step.
Remember, It’s All a Cycle
Design thinking isn’t about a perfect solution on the first try; it’s about building understanding and adjusting continuously. Each phase—Empathy, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—loops back to help us create an approach that’s responsive, supportive, and centered on what people need most.
I’d love to hear how you’re applying these ideas. What’s working? What new insights have come up? For more tools, check out the work Leadership+Design is doing around election season. Take a look here.