Regenerative design aims to shift our system of design and construction to one that creates thriving.
But when we are working with an incumbent organisation — one built around the current way of doing things — a big question often arises:
How do I know if I am really making change?
When organisations are heavily invested in the current system, genuine change is rarely part their short-term strategy.
An avoidance strategy then is to perform the dance of innovation — creating the appearance of transformation while continuing with business as usual.
Like a magician waving one hand while hiding the real trick with the other:
Well, you know, we’re really committed to change and we’ve got these great consultants in, and they’re figuring out the strategy… so for now, we’ll just carry on.
For change-makers looking to shift the mainstream, the chance to work with a major supplier or client can feel too good to pass up. But we have to stay alert to innovation being a delaying tactic.
It may look like progress, but if nothing changes under the surface it’s really just dancing on the spot.