I have all the patience in the world for those in life (personally and professionally) who work night and day following their passions, but just aren’t getting the break they deserve. You can lean on me 24/7 and I’ll be an ear and support that you can always count on!

However there are also those in life (personally and professionally) who do a whole lot of whining and make no effort to create the change they would like to see in themselves; the people around them; or their community. It is to these individuals I would like to say, borrowing from the rant/poem by Taylor Mali below:

…I have a policy about honesty and ass kicking; which is if you ask for it then I have to let you have it!

Taylor answers a question posed to him by a lawyer, “What do you make?” The lawyer of course is referring to money he earns as a teacher.

He goes on to demonstrate the real value behind his work as a teacher has nothing to do with his salary, but rather the impact he makes on the children he teaches.

This inspired me to share what I have made, and and am continuing to build for the IA, UX, IxD, and HCI communities:

* Over 125 discussions and presentations from thought leaders from around the world on Boxes and Arrows
* 36 discussions and ideas from the i.a. podcast
* Mentored over 100 newbies in the fields of IA, UX, IxD, and HCI from programs like the Information Architecture Institute Mentoring program and through connections on Twitter and Podcasting.
* Vice Chaired the Ottawa CHI group and helped raise awareness about this community through Podcasts and organizing their full day workshop in 2007/2008 bringing in Peter Merholz and Derek Featherstone to present, amongst others.
* Started Radio Johnny where I’ll be sharing ideas from thought leaders on every continent in 2010.
* Leading the strategic direction and future vision for The UX Workshop
* Built Follow the UX Leader Workshops teaching the fundamentals of User Experience Design, Information Architecture, and Writing for the Web starting in March this year.
* Recently took on the Canadian lead for the UX firm FatDUX to help businesses take on larger and more challenging projects with a resource of experts from around the world.
* Initiated the Ottawa chapter of the UX Book Club.
* Presented at Bar Camps and guest lectured at the University of Ottawa and Carlton University.

All of this in addition to running my own consulting company!

So for all of you out there in the UX discipline who are sick and tired of the “chosen few” who believe they are more important than the communities to which they belong … step up and be the change you want to see!

How dare you waste my time with anything less than your very best!

Allow me to borrow again from Taylor, as if I were saying this to every member of every community of practice around the world:

Let me break it down for you, so you know what I say is true! I make a God damn difference, now what about you!?

I have had the pleasure of attending conferences to interview and learn from the most creative minds in the User Experience discipline from around the world. (This includes the sharing of such wisdom through the i.a. podcast, boxes and arrows, and most recently the new series over on Johnny Holland, Radio Johnny.)

Today I’m proud to announce the launch of a series of workshops I’ll be leading entitled, Follow the UX Leader; teaching the fundamentals of User Experience Design, Information Architecture, and Writing for the Web.

At Follow The UX Leader we believe in learning by doing. That’s why we’ve created a series of workshops on advanced web practices that throw out the PowerPoint paradigm and shift the learning back to the way it was when we were kids: hands on …lively …interactive …and fun! Follow The UX Leader isn’t just about learning from experts in the fields of user experience, interaction design, information architecture and writing for the web. It’s about learning from others, sharing experiences and ideas, and connecting “the old fashioned way” – face-to-face. Because what we learn offline – holds the greatest value in defining and achieving success online.

In addition I have received generous sponsorships from world renowned leaders in the field of User Experience, including:

FatDUX (Denmark)
ClickTale Web Analytics (Israel)
Optimal Workshop (New Zealand)
Morgan Kauffman (USA)
Rosenfeld Media (USA)
MarsWorks (Canada)

Prizes will be given away at random to participants in each workshop from several of our sponsors. My heart felt thanks for their incredible generosity!

The first workshops on User Experience Design, People before Pixels, will be held May 11th and May 12th with only 20 seats per session, so sign up quickly to ensure your seat at the table!

I designed these workshops because I believe passionately that if we can learn to communicate more effectively within the varied teams that make up all organizations today, we can accomplish any goals we set for ourselves.

I look forward to the opportunity to provide you with the experiences and tools that will help your company achieve great success!

Eyes Wide Shut. The title of this twisted, dark film by Stanley Kurbrick is symbolic of the rapid transition that has been unfolding over the past few years. Our eyes are “wide shut” (we see it but are largely in denial) about the massive change that’s taking place every second of every day within business and government.

In short, both leaders and so-called “thought leaders” of the past and present are failing to realize the true power isn’t in your HR defined title, but in the capacity to create an environment where ideas can be born and grow over time.

Before the dot-com explosion we were better than we are today at communicating ideas with others in real-time. We had the patience, or perhaps without the tools we have at our disposal today, the expectation that creating great products and services involved trial and error and took time to evolve.

Even the ability to sit up and debate, sometimes passionately disagree, with colleagues and peers has been dwindled down to 140 characters on Twitter. A skill set that with every passing day is becoming absolutely critical to the success of both business and government.

Think I’m wrong? Fair enough. Check out this ad by HTC. My guess is after watching it you’re going to be able to relate to both the situations shown and the feelings of the actors within the commercial.

I know I’ve found myself in nearly every single one of these situations; demonstrating to me how tightly I’m bound not only to the technology but also the people with whom I’m connected.

It’s no longer about controlling the ideas or the conversation. Success will be achieved by those who see the value of differing opinions and work to communicate those experiences into everything they design.

Jeroen Van Geel, Chief Kauhna at Johnny Holland approached me late in 2009 to start producing a new Podcast series.

After sharing a few conceptual ideas, I’m pleased to announce the launch of Radio Johnny. We’re kicking off this new series by discussing the concept of leadership, with Joe Sokohl:

IxDA Board Member and Principal of Regular Joe Consulting, Joe Sokohl shares his insights with Jeff Parks about one of the most important topics in advancing any discipline, that of leadership. Joe discusses the importance of differentiating between a “Manager” and “Leader” recalling past experiences in both the U.S. Military and Music Industry. He also talks about the necessity as leader to not only provide clear direction for all projects but also to understand how each member of the team responds to specific leadership styles.

Fans of Radio Johnny can subscribe to shows in iTunes or you can download specific .M4A files (geek speak for iTunes audio) from each show notes page. This will allow you to see art in the album window of iTunes and click on links to provide greater context to points discussed.

One of my goals for 2010 is to learn more from the International community in every User Experience discipline. To that end I have been in discussions with Daniel Szuc, Principal Consultant at a Apogee Usability Asia Ltd. Daniel will be joining me in facilitating discussions with UX professionals in and around Asia.

It is my hope that others around the world will join me in future conversations for Radio Johnny. Whether you work for an Internationally renowned design firm or are an independent with ideas to share, please drop me a note!

I think the key to happiness is working hard at finding others in your life who challenge you to be a better person, both personally and professionally. Those who live their lives with passion and integrity. People who know that their words should reflect their actions and who understand the larger impact this has on the community to which they belong.

Some have told me over the years to lower my expectations of others; to in essence not try and raise the bar for the clients and people to which I associate. Their argument on the surface appears sound. If I don’t set the bar too high then I won’t be frustrated or disappointed in the outcomes. While in theory this sounds good, it never sticks with me.

In 2009 I turned down several lucrative contracts because the “leaders” of the organization told me that it didn’t need to work, it just needed to get done. Not good enough. Not for me and I don’t think it should be acceptable to others.

I’ve seen first hand the incredible talents that exist in the User Experience field, from every corner of the planet – so let’s raise the bar together this year, shall we? I’m going to suggest that we use the creed in this ad as a kind of constitution:

Millions of people. Everyone out for themselves. Can this really be the only way? No!

We can connect with anyone in the world now. Although I will admit that people are generally self-serving, I would like to challenge every UX professional and company around the world to share more and foster a better understanding of the value our discipline(s) can bring to the table. We are a small group with more than enough opportunities to go around.

Here’s to honor; and to gallantry! Long may it live.

Honor. Gallantry. Two words that I believe we need to adopt as our themes for 2010 and beyond. Take pride in your work while helping others when you can.

Here’s to doing the right thing; to giving a damn! Here’s to the straight talkers, who give their word and keep it.

Knowing the path and walking the path are two very different processes in life and in business. Give a damn about what you create. Know when to step away. Adopt the capacity to simply say “I don’t know” so that you can keep your word…every time. Listen more often then you speak and ask others for their perspective; keeping an open mind to a variety of ideas.

Here’s to freedom, wherever you find it. And to knowing the true meaning of wealth.

Understand that people find freedom in different forms of work, styles of communication, and the values they hold in the highest regard with colleagues, peers, and family.

Wealth in life comes not from the “stuff” we obtain but from the relationships we form with others. My grandfather once told me that no one will remember me after I pass on for the car I drive or the house I own. People will remember the impact I had on their life; for better or worse.

Here’s the brave among us. Here’s to a code of behavior that sets certain men…apart from all others. Here’s to us! Live with chivalry.

Let’s gain some perspective here. Bravery is seen in those who chose to take on a career as a firefighter, police officer, or other public servant who every day puts themselves in harms way for people they don’t even know!

Here’s to all of us (men and women) who go that extra mile to help others succeed. Here’s to a life (and career) filled with passion and meaning. Cheers!