The Beginning of Reverie (and Why You Might Need a Little Reverie Too)
- Terri Mosher
- Apr 28
- 4 min read
Hi! I'm Terri, founder of Reverie Consulting
After years of working and volunteering across non-profits, government and Crown corporations, one thing became crystal clear: the way we solve problems just isn’t working anymore.
I kept seeing smart, passionate people stuck in decision paralysis, frustrated by red tape and rigid processes. I watched teams get caught in endless cycles of talking around problems—unsure how to approach complex, system-wide issues. The result? Watered-down definitions of success, lack of momentum, and a growing sense of defeat.
The challenges they were facing were complex, layered, and human-centered—but the tools and processes they were given to collaborate and problem-solve were anything but.
That’s where the idea for Reverie was born—out of deep frustration with the status quo and a growing belief that there had to be a better way to work together and solve big problems.
All Projects have the Same Problem...
They usually start with a bang—an exciting kickoff meeting, tasty muffins and coffee, a fresh Gantt chart, and promises to “circle back” to the right people.
But then… time passes. People leave, new folks join, and confusion around goals starts creeping in. The right people aren’t engaged at the right time. Important voices are left out. Assumptions are made. Priorities shift. Timelines stretch. External factors change. And the whole project starts to feel… off.
Momentum fades. Roadblocks pile up. And someone inevitably asks:
“Are we even solving the right problem? Is this what our clients actually want?”
Sound familiar?
We call this confusion and misalignment collaboration chaos. It costs us time, money, and productivity. Worse, it crushes motivation and employee engagement—and leaves the impression that progress just isn’t possible.
If you feel this way, here’s the truth: It’s not you.
It's the traditional approach to problem-solving we’ve all been taught to accept.
The Traditional Approach Just Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
The linear model of problem-solving—where we define the problem upfront, lock in a plan based on what we know to be true, and stick to it no matter what—doesn't work in today’s world. The challenges we face are increasingly:
Complex (with many interrelated parts)
Ambiguous (unclear or evolving)
Human-centered (affected by real people with diverse and changing needs)
These are the kinds of challenges that demand flexibility, creativity, and collaboration—not rigid step-by-step processes.
So why are we still using outdated tools?
A lot of us assume that chaos is just the cost of doing business. But what if there was a better way? One that helps you make sense of complexity, involve the right people at the right time, and uncover what’s actually going on—so you can solve the real problem, not just its symptoms?
What Makes Reverie Different?
Simply put: our systematic approach to problem-solving.
Complex problems don’t need complicated solutions—but they do require structure, curiosity, and collaboration. That’s where we come in. At Reverie, we guide teams through uncertainty using a proven approach that helps them move forward with clarity and confidence.
This approach is called Design Thinking.
What is Design Thinking?
Design Thinking (also known as Human-Centered Design) is a process for solving complex problems by focusing on the people at the centre of them. It encourages us to stay curious, notice patterns, explore pain points, and co-create solutions that truly meet the needs of those we serve.
Design Thinking has been embraced by leading companies like Apple, Google, IBM, and Airbnb. In fact, products you probably use every day—like your iPhone, Gmail, and even the user experience on platforms like Netflix—were shaped using Design Thinking.
But it's not just for massive transformations or global product launches. In fact, some of the most meaningful changes happen on a much smaller scale—right inside our offices, teams, and daily workflows.
Design thinking can help managers and team leads improve how meetings are run, redesign services, programs and processes, or reimagine how teams collaborate across departments. It can be used to create more inclusive workplace practices, streamline your operations, or even rethink the layout of a shared workspace to boost productivity and morale. It’s also a a really helpful tool for system-wide challenges that span across multiple departments.
Basically, Design Thinking is for anyone who’s curious, open to feedback, and wants to make things better—no matter the scope or area of the challenge!
My introduction to design thinking came in 2017, when I started working as a strategist on corporate innovation initiatives with the Nova Scotia government - and it completely reshaped how I approach challenges. Since then, I’ve used Design Thinking in provincial government to help shape policy, design employee engagement programs, and co-create the Office of Workplace Mental Health. It’s also played a key role in solving complex service design challenges across the public sector—bringing clarity, collaboration, and meaningful results to teams navigating change.
At Reverie, we’ve adapted and refined the Design Thinking process to make it even more accessible and adaptable to any challenge. Our five-step model—Discover, Define, Develop, Deliver, Evolve—combines principles of design, continuous improvement, and change management into a practical, repeatable system. This framework can be applied to a diverse range of challenges, and tailored based on the challenge at hand:
Discover – Gather insights, surface pain points, and map the full picture.
Define – Align on the real problem to solve.
Develop – Ideate, prototype, and test what works.
Deliver – Implement with purpose and ensure it sticks.
Evolve – Measure, adapt, and continuously improve.
Our approach isn't just theory—it’s a roadmap for real change. We can teach your teams how to run with it—or roll up our sleeves and lead the way for you!
Coming Soon on the Blog…
In the coming weeks, we’ll unpack:
Why we need a new approach to problem-solving
What Design Thinking really is (beyond the buzzword)
How to apply our 5-Step approach to your own work—whether you’re leading a small team or a system-wide initiative
Ready to Try a New Approach?
Check out our blog post: “What is Design Thinking?” Or, if you're curious about how Reverie can support your team, book a discover call:
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