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I’m Getting Older and Becoming More Like C-3PO
Reminder: Get Your Tetanus Booster I think I’m becoming more neurotic as I get older. I’ve never identified with the galaxy-far-far-away’s best known worrisome robot, C-3PO. But as I am getting older, I can understand his neurosis. A little over three weeks ago, I flew to San Francisco to escape the poor air quality from… Read more
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Working Together: Preventing The Homer Car Through Collaboration
I have an analogy to explain what happens when a user tries to solve a problem on their own without assistance. It’s The Homer Car. What is The Homer Car, you ask? This is The Homer Car: The Homer Car is from an episode of The Simpsons titled, “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” (Season 2,… Read more
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I Updated a Favorite Meme
When I joined my very first San Francisco Bay Area startup as an early designer, I was immersed in the world of product design. It was 2010. Here I was, new to the world of product design – fresh, eager, drinking the Kool-Aid, and working alongside my fellow designers. We were a solid team, united… Read more
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Confidence is Contagious: How to Persuade by Just Being Yourself
“Confidence is feeling safe to be yourself.” – Jason Harris, The Soulful Art of Persuasion Confidence is “a belief in oneself”. Confidence is an attitude that motivates action and commands presence. It is the conviction that you possess what it takes to succeed. Confidence is what allows you to get knocked down in life –… Read more
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The Empathy Advantage: Enhancing Stakeholder & Customer Relationships, Part 3
Part 3 of 3: This is Part 3 in this series of blog posts on empathy. Click here to read part 1. Click here to read part 2. In Parts 1 & 2, I covered the importance of listening to and creating connections with our stakeholders and customers to build relationships. In Part 3, I… Read more
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Los Angeles is on Fire. This is (NOT) fine.
Los Angeles is on fire. And I am in the middle of it. Despite being surrounded, I am glad to report that I am safe. Thank you to all of my friends and family who have reached out.❤️ Sadly, the Eaton fire has taken the homes of several co-workers and friends. Be a donor. Help… Read more
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The Empathy Advantage: Enhancing Stakeholder & Customer Relationships, Part 2
Part 2 of 3: This is Part 2 in this series of blog posts on empathy. Click Here to read Part 1 In Part 1, I encouraged being more like a therapist and covered the importance of listening to stakeholders and customers to build relationships. In Part 2, I will address how to build a… Read more
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The Empathy Advantage: Enhancing Stakeholder & Customer Relationships, Part 1
Part 1 of 3: This is Part 1 in this series of blog posts on empathy. Being a designer is being a therapist. “Designers, like therapists, are ‘people of the ear’” (Jeremy Hamann, Design Like a Therapist, 2019). The entire design process is filled with opportunities to listen: user interviews, design critiques, design workshops, usability… Read more
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The Impractical, Nonsensical, and Fantastical Solutioning to JPlers very, very hard year
It’s been a tough year for employees at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We began 2024 with a layoff of 530 people. Followed by a second round of layoffs in November, and delayed raises for those of us that remain employed, I envision a ridiculous (and awesome) solution for JPLers to win bonuses: All JPLers get… Read more
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Mentoring Sessions Are Now Open on ADPList!
I’ve teamed up with ADPList to provide mentorship opportunities. Use the link below to book a session with me. Looking for Mentorship in Your Career? I’m excited to announce that I’m now mentoring on ADPList, a global platform connecting professionals with mentors. Whether you’re looking to boost your skills, navigate career transitions, or tackle specific… Read more