Why would anyone do this?
That's what I would have asked myself a couple years ago. I'm still not totally sure. Lately I feel drawn to pondering what matters most to me. Companies seem to care a lot about these. Why shouldn't I?
Humans thrive on narrative. Each life is itself a complex story that walks the interplay of beauty and tragedy. Shared stories form a foundation for connection that creates something greater than the sum of the parts. I take time to slow down, ponder, write my stories, and share some of them.
The tech I build protects well-being and promotes human flourishing. Tech should never exploit weaknesses no matter how well intentioned. A good hammer sits quietly ready in the belt of the worker. It doesn't send disruptive notifications.
The dashboard of a car is undeniably helpful. It displays important data that helps me drive safely. It's easy to become so entranced by the numbers on the screen that I miss the person crossing the street in front of me and cause real damage. I am considerate about which metrics I gather, how they could affect people, and how I steward them once they're gathered.
Screens are incredible and powerful. If left unchecked, they naturally outpace my humanity. Often the best approach to solving a problem requires the courage to stop, pull out a piece of paper, and let my mind slowly wander the grounds of a problem space.
Questions born of genuine curiosity are powerful. Toyota developed the concept of the "Five whys." The idea is that if you keep asking why enough times you'll eventually get to the root cause. Neat, but why stop at five? Why not pull others into the question asking process? Why not examine my reasons for asking the questions I ask? I am unashamedly curious! If I find myself not feeling curious, I ask... why?
I am wary of fake questions. It's easy to make demands or statements disguised as questions.
Honesty is expensive. There are good reasons I seldom offer it. I value the honesty I extend and when others extend it to me. I know that fostering an environment of honesty will inevitably humble me but it's worth the risk.