Instructor Resource
Neck, Entrepreneurship, 1e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Chapter 6: Using Design Thinking
Case Notes
Chapter 6: Using Design Thinking
Bruce H. Jackson, Ed.M., MBA, MA, Ph.D., MPA; Speaker, Writer, Business
Owner, Foundation Director, Entrepreneur
Summary
As a young kid, Dr. Bruce Jackson struggled with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
He also received poor marks in school. Over time, however, he learned to channel his immense
energy and passion into productive pursuits like playing tennis and improving his academic
Analysis
At the beginning of chapter 6, authors Kevin Clark and Ron Smith (Unleashing the Power of
Design Thinking) are quoted as saying, in part, “Design thinking is about making intent real.” Dr.
Bruce Jackson is a classic case study of what it means to work hard, sacrifice, and persistently
push through any and all challenges in order to realize conscious intentions that he set out to
accomplish in his life and career.
It was not easy growing up with ADHD around teachers and mentors who often mistook Dr.
Jackson’s extraordinary potential as simply “disruptive” behavior. As he began to work through
Instructor Resource
Neck, Entrepreneurship, 1e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. The three core components of design thinking are inspiration, ideation, and
implementation. How did Dr. Jackson gain inspiration, generate ideas, and then
successfully implement his academic goals to become a successful student?
Sample Answer: Jackson gained inspiration from several sources. One significant
example was his love and pursuit of the game of tennis. Another was an encouraging
2. How did Dr. Jackson apply design thinking in his leadership and development of The
Center for the Advancement of Leadership (The CAL)?
3. How might Dr. Jackson’s professional work assist him in effectively tackling “wicked
problems?”
4. How do you think Dr. Jackson’s proactive world tour with his family may help him as a
design thinker in his current and future ventures?
5. How might you apply design thinking to your own academic endeavors to maximize your
potential for success and graduation? How would you apply design thinking to your
present relationships or future business ventures?