Read any case study about how the most consistently innovative and high-performing companies like Google, Intuit, Pixar and others have achieved their success, and one thing becomes immediately clear: innovation is at the heart of their culture, not just in their PR.

The finance industry is in a state of upheaval. Shifting global regulations, increasing competition from fintechs, and tech giants like Apple and Google Pay entering the finance space is forcing traditional financial firms to rethink their business model or risk losing traction in the marketplace. Since the great financial crisis, the financial services sector has been living on borrowed time.

Whenever we learn a new skill, it takes a while to master — and design thinking is no different. This creative approach to customer-centric problem solving can feel foreign for many business leaders. Even if you are excited to get started, it takes time to internalize the methods and to figure out how you will get the rest of your team onboard with using these new tools.