Design For Strengths: Applying Design Thinking to Individual and Team Strengths
By exploring the intersection of Design Thinking and strengths-finding, innovation expert John K. Coyle demonstrates what most high achievers intuitively know–that each one of us possesses a unique combination of strengths, talents, skills and capabilities to achieve breakthrough performance–but may need a code to unlock them.
Design for Strengths delivers the process, tools and mindsets required to find and maximize your hidden potential. Illuminated by a captivating narrative of Olympic training and competition, Coyle demonstrates how he used the Design Thinking process and mindset to hack the sport of speedskating and win an Olympic silver medal. This book contains real-life examples of how individuals and organizations can use Design Thinking to define the right problem, and to ask and answer a better question. Instead of "how do I fix my weaknesses?" ask "how can I design for my strengths?"
More than a dozen leading experts contributed to this book, including Steven Kotler, David and Tom Kelley, David Eagleman, Daniel Coyle, Dave Evans and Chip Conley, as well as Olympic gold medalists Apolo Ohno and Meryl Davis. Read the book to expose a hidden-in-plain-sight secret. We all contain the capacity to do something extraordinary--if we design for it.
ADVANCE PRAISE & REVIEWS
“Design your life or someone will design it for you.... John has taken this idea and run with it—the result is this book on Design Thinking and human performance.
What we design, designs us back. This notion is the holy grail because the implication rings so true—we can create ourselves, every moment, through our creative and linguistic choices.”
– JASON SILVA, Emmy-nominated host of National Geographic’s hit TV series, Brain Games, seen in over 100 countries, and creator of Shots of Awe
"Amazing to read about my sport through the lens of Design Thinking! A compelling narrative with practical lessons for business and life!"
– APOLO OHNO, Eight-time Olympic medalist, serial entrepreneur, author of Zero Regrets and winner of season four of Dancing With the Stars
"What if we were issued instructions at birth about how to design our lives to maximize happiness and success? I don't know about you, but that's not what I was instructed in my first few years--now we have a guidebook for how to design and curate our lives in a way that's in harmony with our strengths and purpose. A powerful and poignant read. Bravo!"
-- CHIP CONLEY, author of Wisdom at Work and Peak, founder of Modern Elder Academy and Joie de Vivre, and former Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy at Airbnb
"In Design for Strengths, John K. Coyle lights the wick of some inspired thinking around strengths—then brings it to a flashpoint with high octane insights and connections that allow readers—from elite athletes to mere mortals—to supercharge their own potential.”
– NICOLE LOREY, Chief Communications Officer, Kaiser Permanente
“Design For Strengths has brilliant insights on what it really takes to succeed—even for those of us who will never land on an Olympic podium.”
– LAURA VANDERKAM, Author, Off the Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done
“Get unstuck and potentialize your strengths and talents. Design For Strengths is a powerful masterpiece that will guide you into the journey of discovering and redefining yourself. Enter into the Flow state and become the innovator and designer of your own life.”
– LAURA BONILLA, Head of Innovation Programs, CEDIM University, Mexico
Reviews (108)
Insightful and inspiring
I had the privilege of meeting John K. Coyle a few weeks ago. I was intrigued by the idea of an Olympic medalist who also happens to be a Design Thinking expert and TEDx speaker. As our conversation started I was blown away to learn he was about to release his book “Design for Strengths”, focusing on the intersection of strengths (think Marcus Buckingham, Strengths Finder...) and Design Thinking applied to one’s life - all of this against the backdrop of his Olympic journey. I got the book as soon as it was out and I finished it yesterday and I enjoyed it end to end. I am passionate about the intersections of different disciplines in the broader sense (i.e .psychology and technology) , and the intersections of more discrete perspectives, practices, etc. and John’s work is a very inspiring deep dive at the intersection of life design, design thinking, strengths. Highly recommended! And if you want a taste, check his TEDx talk before, “How to design moments that help you live (almost) forever"
An beautifully written book about the power we possess within ourselves
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! I read A LOT of books. This one stands out. It is interesting as it addresses human potential. And it tackles the subject from such a different perspective. We have all been told throughout our whole lives that we need to work on our weaknesses. As a self-improvement junkie, I've focused 99% of my time on that goal. This insightful book turns that on its head and teaches us to focus on our strengths, fully developing them for maximum impact. The research shared is fascinating while also being written so that it accessible. The vignettes by various accomplished individuals add interest, and they clarify the points. The way John K. Coyle writes in almost poetic fashion about the human condition... our yearnings, obstacles, struggles and potential. It's a must read for anyone wanting to mine the incredible possibility in themselves and in the teams (families, churches, business organizations) they lead. This book will equip you to explore your strengths while invigorating you with feelings of being both inspired and encouraged.
"Design Your Life or Someone Will Design It for You"
I've had the great opportunity to attend two of John Coyle's presentations in the last year. For the first ever time in one of our partner meetings, I witnessed not one mobile phone had left its pocket or purse while he was on the stage--all eyes were firmly on John and his captivating stories. I'm happy to report that John's enthusiasm and parables for living life to its fullest indeed translate very well into the pages of his new book. His book provides a blueprint for reframing and coming at life from different angles and perspectives outside of the frame in which you currently live. Excellent work--I highly recommend this book. I also recommend seeing him in person if you ever have the opportunity.
Five Stars
I loved reading John's book. Well written and told from the respective of personal experience. John's words have stayed with me weeks after reading his book. It's not a book you read and put away. It's a book that opens up a larger view on we approach success and life. Also, I was fortunate to have attended John's 'Time Expansion Summit' on Powder Mountain. While the actual event was @42+ hours I felt as if I had been a week. Amazing how True that Time dilates.
Enlightening, compelling and profound– A unique, narrative lens on Design Thinking!
John Coyle combines vivid storytelling, professional tenor, an engaging voice and conceptual wisdom to skillfully unpack and reframe a process that is constantly talked about but rarely understood or appreciated. It is both an easy read for anyone, and genuinely educational for even the most seasoned Design Thinking professional. Coyle celebrates Design Thinking while also taking it down from its niche pedestal and presenting it as a tool for solving any type of problem, business or personal. This book is a call for empathy and a roadmap for how to employ it! A must read for any thoughtful business leader.
A pragmatic and fully engaging design strategy for meeting your life goals.
Have you spent large portions of your time or energy trying to force a square peg into a round hole? Perhaps this question applies to your career, or to the pursuit of your passion, or the achievement of a lifetime goal. What John Coyle explains so aptly are the reasons (both individual and cultural) WHY we keep banging on that square peg, when really we just need to reach for a round peg. Following the method of many great communicators, he effectively uses narrative to convey his point, which makes the valuable lesson that he offers easy to receive. The relevance of this book lies in Coyle's elucidation of how to seek, identify, and ultimately utilize that elusive round peg.
I loved this book!
“Design for Strengths” is a fascinating and illuminating study of the theory and practical applications of design thinking. However, it is the author's brilliant storytelling that makes this book so compelling and enlightening. John Coyle conveys the art and practice of design thinking through the lens of his own journey as an elite athlete, as well as through the stories of other remarkable people. I could not put this book down. I became fully immersed in the incredible effort to make it to the Olympics -- the hopes, dreams, failures, frustrations, sufferings, and ultimate triumph. For anyone wanting to get “unstuck,” achieve breakthrough performance, or design a more perfect life, there is plenty of wisdom in these pages.
is a fun as it is informative
John weaves together an insightful mix of personal stories and research in an approachable and insightful way. The unique approach to both design thinking and a strengths approach, which can help individuals and teams, is a fun as it is informative. Stop trying to fix weaknesses, as John reinforces, "that ship has sailed." Instead, start designing for strengths so that you can unlock your potential.
Great Book!
I just finished “Design for Strenghths” on a flight out to DC. It’s been quite a while since I’ve enjoyed a book so much that I neglected to open my email or watch any in flight entertainment!! I used to read almost every flight and this book reignited my fire. I enjoyed Johns story and how he related it back to how design thinking. I know I can and will use the concepts in my company. I plan on buying the book for all my leadership team. Kevin Carlin, Owner, Meridian Senior Living
It's a good, entertaining read
I rarely read books, but this one I read cover to cover. As a long time skater, coach, engineer and business owner, I connected with Design for Strengths in more than one way. I appreciate his "out of the box" thinking for problem solving. I'm using some of the book concepts during my coaching sessions. I'm recommending this book to my students, friends and clients. It's a good, entertaining read.
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