Dear Reader,


Summer invites us to simplify; we may forget how simplicity serves us as we slip toward fall.


Long ago, when I was overwhelmed leading a stressful global IDEO project, the mental soup of my best-and-worst moments suddenly simplified into one guiding principle—and picture:
 

VS.

My takeaway: focus more on the people involved, less on the "stuff." This picture remains a powerful principle for me, no matter what the stressful situation or stuff involved might be.


This summer's newsletter keeps things simple.

  • If nothing else, please VOTE our workshop for SXSW! We'll make a virtual one too!
  • Pick up a fun new coaster, Canva, or calendar resource.
  • And sip a story about playgrounds or drawing pictures.


More, as always, at innovatorscompass.org—just reach out and share your experiences!


Ela Ben-Ur, Founder of innovatorscompass.org
 

VOTE! And Join a New Event
 

Please send us back to SXSW!

As I wrote last time, presenting at SXSW with two of you each year has been so impactful! This year's team is proud to propose the powerful "Rethinking Who Designs AI" workshop we co-developed with longtime partner Innovators for Purpose. But many others hope to go, too!


Voting takes 1 minute: click the link, click the heart, and sign in/up with your email.


Not going to SXSW? You can still vote! And let me know—we'll hold a virtual one!

Voted for our sessions before? Thank you!
PLEASE VOTE by 8/24!

In Boston? Join the next Collaborative Designers Unite gathering 10/21!

 

Try a New Resource

Coasters!

Still savoring summer? Enjoy Compass conversation coasters (idea: Dan Koff)!
More fun prompts

Canva!

The Compass has finally come to Canva!


Two templates, with simple prompts (above) or more sophisticated ones, for you, your students, or your team to work and play in.
More App Compass Templates
 

Calendars & More!

Try a weekly planning Compass you can print or fill online.

Or daily mini-Compasses that you can make into a notepad (idea: FDLPL).
More Daily Compasses 

Please share your ideas, and any ways you've used or adapted the Compass!
 
 

Sip a New Story

Drawing Pictures to Discover Principles

"A picture is worth a thousand words."


That’s not just a popular saying, it’s a tremendously powerful practice in anything you do—whether you’re fully seeing the people involved in it, detailing your observations of what’s happening, sensing and symbolizing what matters most, exploring ideas for ways forward, or creating an impactful first experiment.


But I’d love to spotlight one of those here: drawing pictures as we consider principles—what matters most.



We see this all the time in motivational posters—the artist uses an image to convey the principle and help it inspire us in a lasting way.

Read more here
 

A popular place to practice resolving conflicts—the playground.

The fact that so many Innovators' Compasses have been created about conflicts on school playgrounds might seem trivial.


But, short-term, there's a tremendous impact on kids' social-emotional well-being and ability to thrive in school. And, on teachers' sanity!


And starting to hone our compass for conflict resolution early could go a long way in our grown-up lives, work, and world, too. 
Read more here
 

YOUR stories move this work forward—please share them by email or tweet!
 

UNSTICKers and Pocket Compasses

As always, pay cost (10¢ + shipping) or what you can.

Check out this 2-minute intro video (or a picture book/video for kids):
innovatorscompass.org
Please reach out!
 
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