I recently read an extremely intriguing article in Fast Company magazine about the power of "design thinking." A company in the UK called "Participle" is addressing social issues using a design approach... and it seems to be working. Awesome. The key is not that you have to be a designer, but if you learn to think like a designer it gives you a new perspective on how to address the challenges you may face in business, in society... in life.
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/130/mission-critical.html
Enjoy!
--Charles