What happens when strategy gets visual?

Guest blog by Dr Cathryn Lloyd, from Maverick Minds

I’m still buzzing from The Experience – the Basic Bananas business retreat. A brilliant few days with business owners and leaders who were open, generous and willing to share how they approach their work.

I was invited to run two Maverick Minds sessions, using the Shift Your Thinking cards — both analogue and digital — to explore where people are now, where they want their business to go, and what might need to shift along the way.

But first we began with introductions – creating connection and the energy in the room changed completely. People were up and moving – we started out not knowing each other and quickly found common ground and unique stories.

We moved things along – now it was time to talk about our businesses.

Each person chose a card that represented where they were in their business at that moment. Again, the room changed immediately. People found language through the image they chose, and the stories that followed were incredibly honest, at times unexpected and illuminating.

Then we moved to the future.

The group selected new cards to represent the business they want to build — the kind of work they want to be known for, and the customer experience they hope to create and the legacy they want to create.

This is when the creative leaps began to happen:

• gaps became visible
• barriers surfaced
• new ideas emerged
• direction became clearer

At the end of the retreat, we used the digital platform to generate insights and practical next actions. You could see the shift in thinking — clarity, confidence, momentum.

People loved the sessions – here’s just a few things people said,

“You created a safe space for real vulnerability, your warmth and passion stood out from the start”

“Your exercise with the cards was amazing! And the artwork itself is even more amazing, keen to get my hands on some when you launch them”

“Awesome presentation, loved the inspiration, new direction, the deep thought you inspired – great artwork too” 

“Absolutely loved your energy and knowledge shared! You have inspired me to reconnect with creative thinking again – thank you”

These reflections remind me why I do what I do and why I know artful ways of working can make a significant different in business. In this case for our group of business owners – 

Images didn’t simplify their business.
They helped make their business visible.
And when something is visible, you can act on it.

What added to the fantastic vibe of The Experience was that others from the group stepped in to facilitate and share their expertise, making it feel like a genuinely shared space. The experience was collegial, thoughtful, and full of good humour. The Basic Bananas team Franziska, Christo and Kevin are Cool Bananas indeed.

If this kind of creative and practical approach would support your next executive retreat, workplace event or planning day, I’d be delighted to discuss what could work in your context. 

Let’s explore: contact Cathryn.

UPCOMING EVENT: It’s a Wrap!
Thursday 11 Dec 2025 [AEDT]
Step into the director’s chair. It’s time to peer back into your year. Join us for a creative close to your year. What would you keep in the final cut?

Find out more