Truths
Recently we met with two of the co-founders of the Southern Reconstruction Fund, Dorian Burton and Napolean Wallace. One of the threads of the conversation was how designers and entrepreneurs often frame design questions by saying, “What problems are you trying to solve?” Dorian asserted that this is a deficit perspective and we couldn't agree more. December is a critical time to assess the aspirations of those you serve. In the rush to unplug for the holidays, take a moment to think about what the fall data tells you as to what people want to feel, think, and do.

This summer Setser Group will publish our first book with a companion website with digital resources. Barriers for Breakfast: How to Embrace Obstacles and Create Opportunities is a blueprint for launching a new idea, team, organization, or start-up. The work details the hustle and flow required to engage in the discipline of sustainable innovation. Readers take a journey through the step-by-step process of how to eat barriers for breakfast and create unlimited opportunities for their career, organization, community, and country. Each week in 2022, we'll release excerpts from the book and share some tools and triumphs to move you to reflect and take action.
Tools
Set aside some time with your team before the start of the new year, and together use Jamboard to jot down notes to assemble solutions for those you serve to achieve their aspirations. Use the tools below to frame your thinking on how to eat any barriers for breakfast that come your way.
Watch Dan Pink's video on the six pitches here. Think about how to tell your story in 2022 to align with the aspirations of those you serve.
Visualize key takeaways and need-to-knows on Jamboard.com and discuss implications with your team.
Write out your six pitches on this template and think about how to embed those aspirational messages in your website, e-letters, and videos.
Craft a pitch email to five influencers or mentors who may be able to help you shape your message. Capture the feedback and improve your communications.
Write a holiday or new year letter laying out your vision, success milestones, and requests for help or partnership in meeting those aspirations (ex: a more connected school community, a unified higher education network, or a people-first workplace).
Triumphs
People are doing good work for humanity all around us. We are honored to work with Winston-Salem State University on their Bright Lab Innovations work.

Learn more below and at the new website to see how we intend to work with them to unleash genius in 2022 and close the wealth gap in the United States. All of that work on the Bright Lab concept started with a visionary Chancellor, Elwood Robinson who wanted to better understand the aspirations of those he served. Chancellor Robinson is an asset perspective leader who sees barriers only as opportunities to overcome in order to meet the purpose and power of the possible.
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What are the aspirations of the people you serve? Listen to those needs first and design with the people who want to change their futures. Learn more at www.setsergroup.com.


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