Whenever I’m in a new city, I like to wander.
Sometimes completely aimlessly, sometimes with intention.
One of the best ways to spark inspiration is to step away from the norm and pay attention to what’s around you.
I filmed a 13-minute first-person walkthrough of the Seattle Public Library, where I share my real-time thoughts on innovation, creativity, the environment, and accessibility. The video goes deeper than I can capture here, so if you want the full experience, watch it.
I’d heard the Seattle Public Library was famous. And that for some travellers, it was even a destination spot for them.
It just so happened I was the opening keynote speaker for the inaugural AANHPI 2026 Summit at the Seattle Public Library. After lunch, I made a choice to step away for a bit and go explore.
And I’m SO glad I did.
What I found wasn’t just a beautiful building.
It was a place that inspired innovation and creativity.
I learned about the power of accessibility.
And a reminder of how important your environment is.
This is the kind of place that reminds you innovation is everywhere.
It happens in the way a space makes you feel.
It happens in the way people move through that space.
It happens in the way curiosity gets invited in.
That’s what I kept noticing as I walked through the library.
The colours. The lighting. The openness. The way people could sit, work, read, explore, or just be.
It all felt intentional. And that matters.
If you want more creativity, you have to design for it. That’s how I designed Chick-fil-A’s Innovation Center, Hatch, in 2018. Every space was designed with intention, with specific purposes.
If you want more collaboration, you have to make it easier for people to bump into each other.
If you want more innovation, you can’t put people in boring, lifeless spaces and expect brilliant ideas to magically appear.
That’s why I loved their space called the mixing chamber.
What a great idea. A space designed for creative collisions. At Hatch, I designed a similar space. I called it the courtyard.
Sometimes you just need to create the conditions where different people can cross paths, exchange perspectives, and build on each other’s thinking.
That’s where innovation magic starts to happen.
And then, there was the conversation I had with one of the security guards, Dave.
That was a highlight for me.
He was friendly. Warm. Present. He made eye contact. He created a different kind of experience. That stood out to me because that’s innovation, too.
His team has an entirely different approach to security.
Their job, of course, is to keep people safe, but they can also make you feel welcomed.
When I walked into the library that morning, I was greeted by Dave in a very friendly manner. He asked me who I was and if I was in the right place. “I’m doing a keynote!” We joked and laughed when I told him I’ve got a badge, I’m legit!
Dave saw me wandering around the library later that day and he asked me, how did your keynote go? That’s what opened up our conversation.
I was surprised. We got to talking about their innovative approach to security. I learnt that one of his leaders goes around the country to speak about their unique approach to security at the library.
Innovation in action. Our conversation was one of the highlights of my day.
This is why I love wandering.
Wandering is one of the best things you can do to be more innovative.
Give yourself permission to do it, regularly.You’ll never know what you’ll find.
If there’s one thing I’d leave you with today, it’s this:
Give yourself time for inspiration.
You’ll never know where it may appear.
It might be in a library or a conversation with a security guard.
I’d love to know what you thought of my first-person video perspective from today’s post. What inspired you? What will you do next? Comment and let me know.
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