Explore creative possibilities using the metaphors of maritime navigators

The Nautical Guide to Uncertainties is a deck of 100 themed cards that use the metaphor of maritime navigation to illustrate aspects of the human capacity, both individual and collective, to create meaning and a sense of direction in our activities and endeavours, both professional and personal.

There are 4 Mission cards, 8 Instrument cards, 80 Calibration cards, and 8 Depth cards.

Choose your mission!

With the 4 mission cards, you and your group can establish a mutual understanding of the activity's objectives. Is it a management challenge? Learning? Culture? Creativity? Choose the mission or distribute it among the groups!

Mission Cards

Embrace the missions of Captaining (leadership and management), Venturing (knowledge and learning), Navigating (values and culture) and Coursing (entrepreneurship and innovation).

Calibrate your tools!

The 80 calibration cards enable individuals and teams to assess the eight thematic categories of navigation instruments, recognising potentials and challenges to be faced in their mission.

Use the tools!

The 8 instrument cards enable individuals and teams to create solutions and processes for any type of complex initiative, transition or planning in a playful and inspiring way.

Consider the Unknown!

The 8 depth cards address aspects that are hidden or unconscious, broadening perspectives on what needs to be adressed for the initiative to succeed.

Calibration Cards

Assess performance in the use of the 8 navigation instruments, in aspects such as fear, power, ambition, balance, attachment, among others.

Instrument Cards

Use the instruments: Rudder, Sails, Maps, Spyglass, Compass, Sextant, Lighthouse and Sea Buoys, which represent essential aspects of your mission.

Depth Cards

Hidden challenges can undermine the mission's success. Be aware of what they can mean to the quest: The Kraken, Pirate's Treasure, Siren's Song, Whale, Ghost Ship, Underwater Crevice, Submerged Ruins, and Iceberg !

Creating a sense of coherence within a team on key aspects of a highly complex project

Diagnosis of challenges and opportunities in regard to a group's ability to work together to accomplish a mission

The Nautical Guide is useful for:

Warming- up for strategy, planning or co-creation meetings

A playful activity for brainstorming ideas for a creative projects

Individual assessment of struggles and skills for performing a personal project

Working with coaching clients to overcome their limitations and beliefs through insights, inspiring them to take action

Nautical Guide to Uncertainities

A deck of 100 cards, tarot size, printed on demand (includes velvet pouch).

8 Instrument Cards

80 Calibration Cards

8 Depth Cards

4 Mission Cards

The Nautical Guide was created by designer Ricardo Ferrer and the content by Ricardo Ferrer, Leandro Leme, and José Carlos Lima.

The Nautical Guide is available in English and Portuguese.