Perhaps it is just the times we live in, or the instant gratification we get from social media platforms and thousands of news and information resources on the web, but it does seem that many people have the expectation that Design Thinking will turn them and their company into instant innovation guru's in a very short time with little to no effort.

Wrong.

Design thinking has shown proven improved outcomes for innovation teams. But it is a methodology, a way of working, not a process that you can follow like a piece of software that ends in one correct answer. Even more importantly, it is a methodology that can help you change the rigid, time based, short term thinking, results needed out of this meeting mentality. 

In order to do this though, you have to be committed to the idea that it will take time and consistent application. Trying it a few times and giving up because it did not deliver instant results will never work.

Committing to a path of change and a gradual shift from the problem solving culture you have to a more design Thinking culture will be a commitment that will pay back dividends in the long term.

Watch this short, 11 minute, video from Jonathan Courtney of AJ&Smart where he explains this from his real world practice perspective.

If your boss is complaining that your Design Thinking is taking too long, it is not a shortcoming of design thinking, but more likely  a problem of your boss's unrealistic expectations about what producing real innovative solutions will take.

If you are committed to becoming a more innovative team, then perhaps it is time to manage and educate your boss!