The Blind Spots of Privilege

Acknowledging the limitations of our own perspective, even in our senior, privileged roles, is the starting point for building an inclusive culture. Which perspectives have my privileges shut out of my sight? And who shouldI talk to for a more complete picture?

It's crucial to reflect the world we aim to help our clients navigate. But first of all, how do we navigate it ourselves when gravitating towards what seems relatable and known?

For many years, research environments in the fields of technical and natural sciences have been facing the challenge of attracting and retaining female researchers. However, a significant development is now underway as 12 university environments specializing in STEM subjects have come together in collaboration with VILLUM FONDEN, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the strategic innovation agency IS IT A BIRD.

During the first week of August, all of us birds got out of our garage in Valby, Copenhagen, for three nights of sleeping in tents and dancing with complexity in Southern Funen, Denmark. So why Southern Funen? And why dancing? Well, after having the garage closed for a well-deserved summer break, we participated in the annual Implement Summer University.

A Google image search of future visions reveals a striking homogeneity. The predominant images of the future depict towering, organic-shaped buildings, flying vehicles, and elevated roads. Cities are spacious, and the Earth's surface is predominantly covered by lush greenery. The air is fresh and unpolluted, everything appears clean and tidy, but they also feel strangely alienating. These architectural visions are just one example of a larger problem in strategic thinking – where are the humans, their complex social lives, and their seemingly irrational behaviour?

I knew I was in for a treat when at 9am Rasmus Bagger passionately exclaimed, to a room of more than a thousand corporate executives, that emotions matter. In the realm of modern-day leadership, a profound shift is underway. For too long, our focus on efficiency and productivity has led us astray, disconnecting us from our core human values. We've witnessed the rise of leaders defined by technical & financial capabilities or exclusive circles. However, at this year's Presidents Summit, I found hope in the resurgence of soft power. This new narrative propels emotional intelligence, motivation, mindfulness, human intelligence, and intuition to the forefront. However, the summit's ideas often revolved around quick fixes and formulas promising instant results. But authentic leadership grounded in humanity requires more than just acknowledgment; it necessitates responsibility for the products we offer, our colleagues, and the planet we inhabit. Embracing this responsibility is what will enable us to forge a future of positive change.

On Wednesday we hosted our #19 IIAB Talk - this time on Future Craft, asking our speakers, our audience, how we might create a space for businesses and organisations to ensure agency and relevancy in the future by understanding both mega trends that will bring change all around us and fundamental human needs and experiences that will be much more stable.

Approaching the wonderful time of Christmas and soon entering a brand-new year, we start feeling somewhat enchanted. You could say that we are surrounded by a sense of a magic...

Last week we hosted our 18th IIAB Talk — this time on how we question the future through design.

Autumn is approaching and the IIAB office is back to buzzing with business after a great summer. As we gathered again and shared holiday memories, we realised that more of us had been interrailing; by accident, rather than intend. Strikes and shortage of staff led to cancellations and the rebooking of flights across countries — forcing travellers to rethink their routes.

A colleague once told me that the psychology of progression can be understood as leaving the comfort zone and plunging into the depths of the development zone. Here everything is open for discussion, in flux, in a space of possibility. Exploration in this environment is where innovation is found.

Literature has the power to do what we see as our vision at IIAB: It can change conversations.