visual thinking – Claudio Nichele

09/04/202517/04/2025

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.

ECIgathering_20250408_CommunicationChallenges

ECIgathering_20250408_Knowledge CaféSessions1of2

ECIgathering_20250408_Knowledge CaféSessions2of2

ECIgathering_20250408_QuestionsToDiscuss

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31/03/202517/04/2025

My first ever workshop on rock balancing

I led a workshop on Rock Balancing, the first time I’ve ever shared my practice at the European Commission. To be honest, I was a bit nervous (not exactly ideal when trying to stack stones!). For most participants, this was a brand-new experience. They explored the practice, experimented with balancing the stones they had brought, and embraced both the inevitable collapses and the magic of finally achieving balance. The atmosphere was light-hearted and full of curiosity. I’m grateful to everyone for enthusiastically embracing both the practice itself and my guidance.

The practice of rock balancing involves creating a contemplative arrangement of stones in a delicate state of equilibrium. It’s a form of moving meditation. It helps you connect with Nature and with yourself. Through the practice, you develop self-control, self-confidence, patience, calmness, and concentration. It is an ephemeral art where collapses are very frequent. These teach you: To appreciate the present moment and the simple joy of balancing stones; To let go of rivalry, perfectionism, haste, rush, and attachment to possessions. The behaviours required are patience, problem-solving, adaptation, slow breathing, steady hands, and an open, empty mind.

Physics tells us that equilibrium is possible when the object is supported under its centre of gravity. This means the vertical line of the force of gravity passes through the centre of gravity and the contact point on the ground.

It means that for each stone, you have to find its three tiny indentations which act as a natural tripod so that the stone remains balanced.

What if people were stones? What would be the outer hands and force that would allow us to be in balance? In balance as individuals alone and with others. Are our indentations our imperfections, our irregularities, or our strengths? Or all? Just like with stones, shouldn’t we take the time to look for these indentations to better understand what keeps us balanced?
I have been practicing rock balancing since childhood, often in the great outdoors.

It is one of my favorite meditation methods, as I am alone in Nature, in intimate contact with the elements, the wind, and myself. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I intensified my practice and decided to take photos that you can watch in my album Rock balancing

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23/03/202517/04/2025

Inner development goals (IDG) walk

What talents and skills already exist within me, or lie dormant, just waiting to be nurtured and developed? What inner strengths do I already have? What other skills could I cultivate to continue evolving and, in turn, become an agent of change, within my team, my organisation, or even society? How can my personal growth meaningfully contribute to my work environment and the world at large in these times of great transformation, uncertainty, and conflicting viewpoints?

Last week, I joined a group of colleagues from the European Commission for a reflective walk in the forest, immersing ourselves in these questions. Our focus? A deep dive into the five dimensions of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), a powerful framework for personal and collective growth.

Surrounded by nature, still caught between winter’s lingering quiet and the bold arrival of spring, our conversations took on a different depth. Thinking and connecting in the great outdoors is profoundly different from doing so within four walls, no straight lines, no artificial constraints, just the wind, the sun, the scent of trees, and the grounding feel of stones beneath our feet.

This experience left me wondering: Have you explored the IDGs for your own inner growth and the growth of your team? How do you integrate inner development into your professional life?

In the photo are my visual notes taken live during the walk in the forest.

Inner development goals, IDGs - Sketchnotes

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05/01/202507/01/2025

Why do we always feel the need to be busy?

By chance, but there is no such thing as chance, I came across this article on busyness: “Why Do We Always Feel the Need to Be Busy? A Look at the Psychology” by Dalia Oufi.

For several years I have been reviewing my lifestyle to better balance my active life with moments where I allow myself silence, inactivity, focus on nothing.

The article examines the deeper psychological reasons behind our constant desire to stay busy and the factors that can make us uncomfortable with stillness. It enlightened me so much that I illustrated it in a sketchnote:

Why do always feel the need to be busy? A sketchnote

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19/12/202419/12/2024

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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04/12/202416/12/2024

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?

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24/11/202416/12/2024

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

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