Tag: graphic recording

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The power of the H in Human Resources

At nearly every event I attend – whether as a participant or a visual notetaker – artificial intelligence is front and centre. People are exploring, debating, and sometimes worrying about how AI is transforming jobs, processes, and mindsets.

This was certainly true at the recent gathering of HR professionals from the European institutions. Speakers and participants shared how AI is revolutionising their roles, procedures, and ways of working. What resonated with me most? Hearing that in the face of this technological upheaval, HR professionals are choosing to double down on the “H” in HR – the human element that makes us truly unique.

On a more personal note, I’m grateful to be considered part of this HR community, even if I’m not officially an HR officer. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with HR colleagues across the institutions, from supporting internal communication efforts in the past, to more recently helping them develop their community of practice, and capturing their events through graphic recording, which they seem to particularly enjoy.

This community, which has now officially opened up to all HR professionals across the institutions, is one I often cite as a powerful example of what it takes to build and grow a successful community of practice.

A heartfelt thank you to those who work tirelessly to keep this community alive – and who trust me to visually capture its key milestones.

The power of “H” in Human Resources - Graphic harvesting
The power of “H” in Human Resources - Graphic harvesting
The power of “H” in Human Resources - Graphic harvesting
The power of “H” in Human Resources - Graphic harvesting
The power of “H” in Human Resources - Graphic harvesting
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Third meeting of the European Citizens’ Initiative network

Here is my graphic recording from the 3rd meeting of the ECI network, the European Citizens’ Initiative.
For a full day, European partners working to promote and communicate this unique tool of participatory democracy gathered at the invitation of the Secretariat-General of the European Commission. Their goal? To explore how they could better collaborate so that more EU citizens are aware of and make use of the initiative.
From my external perspective, one key takeaway stood out: to truly reach citizens, we must meet them where they are, with stronger, more effective communication. This means better campaigns, clearer tools, and more resources. Partners also expressed the need for financial support from the EU and called for a simplification of the administrative procedure, so that reaching the goal of one million signatures becomes more realistic. Incentives, encouragement, and active support from the Commission would help initiators stay motivated throughout the process.

And you, have you heard of this unique European tool for participatory democracy?

I would like to thank Barbara Walentynowicz and Adriana Mungiu for trusting me for the second consecutive year with the graphic recording; and thank Mira Bangel and Marina Lynch with whom the facilitation of the event is so natural and efficient.

ECI 20250408_104449
ECI 20250408_144207
ECIgathering_20250408_Panelists
ECIgathering_20250408_CommunicationChallenges
ECIgathering_20250408_Knowledge CaféSessions1of2
ECIgathering_20250408_Knowledge CaféSessions2of2
ECIgathering_20250408_QuestionsToDiscuss
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What do participants say about our Sketchnoting course?

As 2024 draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the feedback we’ve received from participanting colleagues of the “StartSketch: The Basics of Sketchnoting” course. Some 161 colleagues from across the European institutions took part in this immersive, one-day, face-to-face training in the basics of visual thinking. Since end of 2023, we(*) ran 10 sessions in total, held not just in Brussels but also in Ispra, Italy, and Luxembourg.

An impressive 65% of participants responded to the post-course evaluation—a high response rate that we greatly appreciate. And their feedback? A staggering overall rating of 9.5 out of 10. Incredible! We’re deeply grateful for such positive reviews. They inspire us to keep sharing the basics of visual thinking with passion and professionalism, proving that there is a great need for more visual thinking as a tool for reflection and work within EU institutions.

Curious about the impact of the course, I turned to a generative AI tool to summarise participants’ answers to the question, “What is the most valuable thing you have learned that you will apply in your work?” The results were fascinating, see below, and I couldn’t resist illustrating them with a sketchnote.

(*) This course has been a labour of love from the start, and I must thank Catherine Focant, who co-created it with me. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, Catherine and I dreamed of introducing visual thinking and sketchnoting training within the European institutions for over a decade. Although we only had the chance to deliver the course together twice, her influence and input were invaluable. For personal reasons, Catherine couldn’t continue, which remains a source of sadness for me. Since then, Célia Pessaud has generously stepped in to co-facilitate the course with me. Her enthusiasm and dedication have been incredible, and I’m so grateful for her support.

To both Catherine and Célia, I want to express my heartfelt thanks for sharing this journey of spreading visual thinking skills within our European institutions. It’s been a joy to combine our passions and expertise to make this dream a reality.

What do participants say about our Sketchnoting course?

What said participants to the Sketchnote course
  • Sketchnoting is a valuable skill: Many participants found sketchnoting to be a useful tool for their work, allowing them to take notes, communicate ideas, and summarise complex information in a visual and engaging way.
  • It’s not about being a good artist: Participants learned that sketchnoting is not about creating perfect drawings, but about using simple shapes and visuals to convey ideas and information, breaking free from perfectionism.
  • Breaking down complex ideas: Sketchnoting helps to break down complex ideas into simple, easy-to-understand visuals, making it easier to communicate and remember information, distilling complex ideas to their essence.
  • Improved note-taking and communication: Participants found that sketchnoting improved their ability to take notes, communicate ideas, and engage with colleagues and audiences, making communication more effective, engaging, and memorable.
  • Increased creativity and confidence: The course helped participants to think creatively and build confidence in their ability to sketch and communicate visually, encouraging creativity and having fun with the process.
  • Practical applications: Participants identified various ways to apply sketchnoting in their work, including taking notes during meetings, creating presentations, and communicating with colleagues and stakeholders, seeing immediate applications in their work.
  • Simple and fun: Many participants found sketchnoting to be a fun and enjoyable way to take notes and communicate, and appreciated the simplicity of the techniques and tools used, showing that sketchnoting can be a fun and relaxing process.
  • Improved focus and engagement: Sketchnoting helped participants to stay focused and engaged during meetings and presentations, and to retain information more effectively, helping in organising ideas quickly and efficiently.
  • Use of visuals and symbols: Participants learned about the importance of using visuals and symbols to summarize information, make notes more attractive, and communicate ideas more effectively, using basic shapes, icons, and symbols to represent ideas.
  • Applicability to various contexts: Participants saw the potential for sketchnoting to be applied in various contexts, including work, education, and personal projects, expanding the skill and making it applicable beyond work.
  • Visual thinking and empowerment: Learning to think visually and use sketchnoting to enhance understanding and memory was highly appreciated, empowering participants to continue sketchnoting and applying it in their work and personal life.
  • Practical techniques and tools: Participants valued the practical techniques and tools provided, such as basic sketchnoting principles, drawing simple and recognisable sketches, and using icons and colours, providing practical tools such as symbols, basic shapes, and techniques for drawing icons, faces, and connectors.
  • Creativity and inclusivity: Sketchnoting encourages a more engaging and informal approach to note-taking, making communication more inclusive, especially when working with colleagues or diverse audiences, and visualising ideas to make them accessible and engaging for everyone.
  • Learning by doing: A number of respondents noted that sketchnoting requires practice and attention but becomes easier with time, and that the course helped participants gain confidence in their ability to learn and apply sketchnoting techniques.
  • Training quality and resources: Several respondents praised the course’s quality, mentioning the professionalism, structure, and effectiveness of the trainers, and many respondents are looking for resources to further practice and improve their sketchnoting skills.
  • Positive training experience: Overall, the course was seen as inspiring, empowering, and a fun experience that boosted confidence in using sketchnoting regularly, providing a positive learning experience with praise for the instructors’ expertise, the course structure, and the supportive learning environment.

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Workshop on burnout

Burnout is a scourge that affects a large number of people, both in the world of work and outside. The European Commission is no exception. Since this year, a group of volunteers within the institution has formed a network to try to provide help and support. They are either specialists in burnout/mental health or are particularly interested in the subject due to a previous experience of burnout. I am happy and proud to be part of it.

At our last meeting, we discussed the conditions and characteristics that are conducive to leading an individual to burnout. We also discussed the aftermath of burnout, and this is what I personally focused on and took visual notes on. We talked about the warning and protection mechanisms that need to be put in place after a burnout, the sometimes radical decisions that need to be made, and the changes in attitude, behaviour, and mentality that need to be made in the ecosystem of our life.

The conclusion, not easy for everyone to accept, is that burnout is a life opportunity to get to know ourselves better by understanding the deep reasons that led us to it, and an opportunity to change the perspectives of our life. For this reasons, it is important to be grateful, to see the positive that burnout has brought us. The network will continue to work to provide preventive assistance to colleagues, to prevent burnout with more awareness, and to assist those who return to work after burnout.

And you, what have you put in place in your workplace to prevent and/or help burnout victims?

Workshop on burnout - Sketchnotes
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Graphic recording and Communities of Practice

Developing a community of practice is both an art and a challenge. Growing it dynamically and organically, keeping it vibrant, and ensuring it thrives requires specific actions, continuous energy, and unwavering dedication at every stage of its life cycle. While elements like clear purpose, committed sponsorship, strong governance, and an engaged core team can lay a solid foundation, what truly drives a community forward is the passion of its members for their craft.

The HR professionals’ community of the EU institutions exemplifies this beautifully. Through their commitment, energy, and collaboration, they have created a space that feels alive, which is warm and dynamic. I have the privilege of following this community closely, through my normal job but also through my activities as a visual thinker within the EU institutions.

Recently, they invited me for the graphic recording of their meetup and to facilitate a Knowledge Café. The focus of the Meetup was on “trends in the world of Human Resources”.

What stood out to me was not only the relevance of the topic but also the enthusiasm, goodwill, and deep engagement of the members in the room and online, extending even to other EU bodies. Their passion for the discipline of HR is truly inspiring.

This event was particularly special for me because I wasn’t working alone. I had the joy of being joined by two talented colleagues from my own community of sketchnoters, @reiter_petra and Sara Serrano Perez . After attending the sketchnoting training I provide within the institutions with Celia Pessaud , they accepted my invitation to join me for their very first live sketchnoting experience. Their work was remarkable, especially for beginners, and gives me so much hope for the future of visual thinking in our institutions. Seeing their joy and pride in their work warmed my heart and reinforced my belief in the power of communities to nurture and inspire. 

The EU institutions are evolving and innovating, often more than it seems from the outside. Vibrant communities of practice, paired with an increasing number of colleagues embracing visual thinking, are at the heart of this transformation. I’m grateful to witness and contribute to this journey.

Graphic recording at the EU HR Professionals community meet-up
Graphic recording at the EU HR Professionals community meet-up
Graphic recording at the EU HR Professionals community meet-up
Graphic recording at the EU HR Professionals community meet-up
Graphic recording at the EU HR Professionals community meet-up
Graphic recording at the EU HR Professionals community meet-up
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There is a hidden pattern in my event badge collection

My collection of event badges

As I sorted through my collection of event badges, dating back to 2005, I noticed an interesting pattern.

About half of these badges are from events where I was involved in the organisation – unsurprising, given my 20+ years in communication units at the European Commission. The other half, however, are from events where I served as a graphic recorder, harvester, facilitator, or sketchnoter – in essence, as a visual thinker.

Despite the evident demand for visual thinking skills, this role has never been officially recognised within the institution. Each time I transition to a new position or hierarchy, I advocate for this competence to be formally acknowledged in my job description. The necessity and utility of visual thinking in the EU institutions are clear, and I believe it should be developed and recognised across all EU institutions.

This conviction led me to create, with a couple of friends visual thinkers like me, a course on visual thinking for my colleagues, sharing the basics of sketchnoting to empower others with these essential skills. I dream of a future where the role of visual thinker is officially recognised within the EU institutions, enabling us to better serve our colleagues, European citizens and meet the growing demand for these capabilities.

Post first published on Linkedin.

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Graphic recording of a workshop on Values with researchers

I recently had the opportunity to bring together three diverse groups of people for a workshop, and the experience was truly inspiring. Mario Scharfbillig, a colleague at the Joint Research Centre EU Science, Research and Innovation of the EC, reached out to me for assistance with a workshop on the ValuesML project he was organising.

Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording

The workshop brought together experts on values from universities and research centres around the world (the first group) to brainstorm research project ideas that would contribute to a future algorithm identifying values in datasets. The ultimate goal of the ValuesML project is to provide policymakers in the EC (the second group) with a deeper understanding of citizens’ values, identities, and aspirations in order to better shape policies. To facilitate the workshop, I enlisted the help of my facilitator friends in Art of Hosting (the third group), Myrto Tsoukia and Maria Samuel Madureira Pinto. We did an outstanding job offering a ProAction Café and adapted the script live during the workshop.

Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording

My main role was to take visual notes, capturing the outcomes of the participants’ conversations through graphic harvesting. What I noticed beyond the tangible outcomes of the workshop was the impact it had on all of us.

  • Mario gained a better understanding of participatory methods for facilitating meaningful conversations
  • My fellow facilitators working within European institutions recognised the importance of considering citizens’ values and identities in policy design
  • Additionally, the researchers in the room had the opportunity to experiment with a participatory method for discussing their ideas.
Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording

Researchers’ curiosity and eagerness to see my graphic recording filled me with joy. For many, it was the first time they had seen visual notes taken live. What they saw were just the rough sketches on paper of their conversations. I sometimes had difficulty understanding their scientific jargon and I had to confirm with them my correct understanding or correct my approximations. The final result arrived a few hours later with a digital version reproducing my raw sketches on the iPad. I like to share here both versions in order to show that the live capture is not very far from the final version, certainly more beautiful and colorful, but the ideas are the same.

Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording
Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording
Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording
Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording
Research ideas to identify values in datasets - Graphic recording

I hope that these visual notes will serve as a reminder of the richness of the conversations and the power of summarising complexity in a simple and elegant way.

It was a truly rewarding experience, and I look forward to future opportunities to facilitate and bring diverse groups of people together for meaningful conversations. And of course…to capture visually their conversations.

To better understand the ValuesML initiative and the purpose of the workshop you may read Mario’s post on Linkedin.

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