Policy on Honesty and Ass Kicking!
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 cannot tell you how proud we are to welcome you to the FatDUX family, Jeff. Your committment to quality, education, and the community at large is really second to none.
Wow. Trumpets blare, drums beat … it is a UX call to arms.
Less pontificating, more adding value to the community. You’re a prime example and we thank you!
The honor is all mine, Eric. Looking forward to learning from you and your team – while teaching others – leading them to great experiences online and off.
It is a UX call to arms Megan! I’m also insisting that we raise the level of debate beyond Defining The Damn Thing.
I see unlimited capacity in our communities being quashed by ego and titles… I’ve had enough! (And I know after talking with hundreds around the world that I’m not alone in this feeling.)
Let’s work harder at listening to understand differing approaches; and less time arguing over semantics that hold no value for our communities or the people for whom we are designing.
It is a wonderful call. Applaud! Applaud.
We could be so far ahead if we embrace differing approaches with open and creative minds for the benefit of communities of people we serve.
Let’s work collaboratively to make the difference together.
Agreed Mick.
I’m flying back today from Interactions 10 in Savannah, Georgia. http://interaction.ixda.org/
One of the several conversations I had were with Students attending the Savannah College of Art and Design.
They were looking at several ideas incluidng:
* Designing to support the largest generation in North American history while simultaneously helping the Environment.
* Embracing the diversity of experiences outside traditional mediums to innovate like never before.
* Taking a leadership role to mentor high school students about what they are learning at college.
* Unimpressed by “rock star” mentality of the few who simply speak louder than others.
And many more brilliant ideas…
The thing that impressed me most was that these students weren’t just talking about ideas, they were modeling the behavior for some of the most senior / respected leaders in the design community by doing.
I hope that when I get this discussion online the biggest names in the industry will listen carefully and follow-up with actionable items.