Design's Woes Are a Symptom of Larger Business Challenges

Navigating Uncertainty

Liminality is about existing in transition, where uncertainty and ambiguity dominate. Innovation, at its core, is a liminal activity—organisations step away from established norms to explore new futures. But how comfortable are businesses with this uncertainty? In this episode, Richard Walzer joins us to discuss: * Why innovation is inherently liminal—leaving the known to explore possible futures * The pendulum swing of innovation—why businesses drift between embracing and resisting change * How future-back thinking can help leaders avoid stagnation * The tension between Perform (stability) and Transform (innovation) in organizations * What Apple, Pixar, and Xerox PARC teach us about the importance of balance * How leaders can become more comfortable with uncertainty instead of reacting to it As Martin notes: “Liminality is going to be a very constant feature.” If businesses continue to treat change as an on/off switch, are they setting themselves up for failure? Episode Highlights 02:00 — Innovation as a liminal state—stepping away from the known 06:00 — Why businesses get stuck between the past and the future 10:00 — The pendulum swing of change—why organizations abandon innovation 15:00 — The 70/20/10 rule for balancing efficiency and transformation 22:00 — What Future-Back Thinking means for long-term resilience 35:00 — Why leadership struggles with ambiguity and liminal decision-making 50:00 — Why balance is about perpetual motion, not stability 💡 “The biggest challenge we have with businesses is they are generally laser-focused on what we are doing today.” – Richard WalzerFollow Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-walzer-25140715 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-walzer-25140715/] Stay Connected: - Visit www.beingliminal.com [http://www.beingliminal.com] for more episodes and to learn about the podcast. - Share your feedback, suggest future guests, or pose questions for upcoming episodes by reaching out through the website. - Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Being Liminal on your favourite podcast platform! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.beingliminal.com [https://www.beingliminal.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Liminal Thoughts: Are We Sleepwalking into a Creative Crisis?

A new format that we are trying out where one of us shares a shorter deep dive on a current topic - we are interested in your responses and thoughts on the topics in these shorter episodes and we will pick up on the topic together in our longer format sessions. In this episode of Being Liminal, I (Martin) explore the growing intersection of AI and creativity. The rise of AI-generated content is both fascinating and unsettling—offering new possibilities but also raising difficult questions about what it means to create, connect, and be human. One example that caught my attention is Virtually Parkinson—a digital recreation of the legendary broadcaster Michael Parkinson. It’s a remarkable technical achievement, yet something about it feels… incomplete. The rhythm, the unpredictability, the nuance of human conversation—missing. And that gap made me wonder: 🔹 Are we heading towards a world where AI-generated content replaces human creativity?🔹 If creativity is about connection, what happens when future generations only experience art, music, and storytelling created by machines?🔹 How do we balance the commercial drivers of AI with the deeper cultural and human impact of creative work? Key Themes in This Episode ✅ AI’s impact on creative industries—opportunities and risks✅ The blurred line between augmentation and replacement of human creativity✅ The business incentives behind AI-driven content and what they mean for the future✅ The potential long-term consequences on human connection and cultural identity Why This Matters Creative work isn’t just about output—it shapes our society, challenges our thinking, and helps us make sense of the world. If we don’t recognise and measure its true value, we risk losing something irreplaceable. Join the Conversation What do you think—are we at risk of losing the human essence of creativity? Or will AI simply become another tool for expression? Let’s discuss. Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out on LinkedIn. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.beingliminal.com [https://www.beingliminal.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Longwave Thinking – Thriving in Complex Systems

Longwave Thinking – Thriving in Complex Systems Part 3 of 3 exploring three levels of disruption from Design Team to Wider Systems Introduction In the final episode of our three-part series, we move beyond organisations to the broader systems that shape them. We discuss the extended cycles of disruption impacting society and business alike. From climate change to economic upheaval, we explore how leaders can adapt to and thrive in a world where uncertainty is the new normal. Key Takeaways • Limits vs. Limitless Growth: The clash between systemic sustainability and business incentives. • Navigating Disruption: Understanding and operating within prolonged instability. • Complex Systems Thinking: Recognizing interdependencies and building resilience. • Thriving in Liminality: Shifting mindsets to embrace opportunity amidst constraints. Stay Connected: - Visit www.beingliminal.com [http://www.beingliminal.com] for more episodes and to learn about the podcast. - Share your feedback, suggest future guests, or pose questions for upcoming episodes by reaching out through the website. - Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Being Liminal on your favourite podcast platform! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.beingliminal.com [https://www.beingliminal.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Navigating Transformation – Organisational Blind Spots

Navigating Transformation – Organizational Blind Spots Part 2 of 3 exploring three levels of disruption from Design Team to Wider Systems Introduction In part two of our series, we zoom out to explore transformation at the organisational level. We discuss why businesses often repeat past mistakes, how continuous improvement and transformation intertwine, and the systemic blind spots that hinder meaningful change. If your organization struggles with delivering transformation that sticks, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways • Beyond Buzzwords: What transformation really means and how it differs from continuous improvement. • Systemic Failures: Why organizations fail to learn from past transformations. • Illusions of Control: The ripple effects of isolated decision-making. • Balancing Acts: The tension between short-term wins and long-term foundations for change. Stay Connected: - Visit www.beingliminal.com [http://www.beingliminal.com] for more episodes and to learn about the podcast. - Share your feedback, suggest future guests, or pose questions for upcoming episodes by reaching out through the website. - Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Being Liminal on your favourite podcast platform! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.beingliminal.com [https://www.beingliminal.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Design's Woes Are a Symptom of Larger Business Challenges

Design's Woes Are a Symptom of Larger Business Challenges Part 1 of 3 exploring three levels of disruption from Design Team to Wider Sytems Introduction: In the first episode of this three-part series of Being Liminal, we begin at the team level, exploring why design often feels undervalued within organisations. We unpack how design’s challenges, from production-focused roles to mismatched values, reflect larger organisational struggles. If you’ve ever wondered why design sometimes feels like it’s stuck in a cycle of frustration, this episode is the perfect starting point. Key Takeaways: - Shifting Value of Design: Businesses are redefining the value of design, focusing more on production efficiency and less on strategic vision. - Leadership Changes: High-profile design leaders are leaving traditional roles, signaling shifts in organisational priorities. - Design as Part of the Production Chain: The integration of design into delivery models reflects a broader trend of aligning design efforts with measurable business outcomes. - Value Communication Gaps: Misaligned language and expectations between design teams and other business functions, especially around Values and what constitutes Value - exacerbate challenges. - A New Role for Designers: Designers must adapt by understanding business priorities and collaborating more effectively across disciplines. Stay Connected: - Visit www.beingliminal.com [http://www.beingliminal.com] for more episodes and to learn about the podcast. - Share your feedback, suggest future guests, or pose questions for upcoming episodes by reaching out through the website. - Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Being Liminal on your favourite podcast platform! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.beingliminal.com [https://www.beingliminal.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]