This is about empathy in product development (eventually)
There are a lot of things I don’t know; let’s get that out of the way — none more interesting to me to find out than the potential of human collaboration. Which sounds like bullshit on paper but in practice is this mess of ambition and hope and fear and (if we’re very lucky) love. I don’t exactly know why considering the civilization we have collectively managed to hold together, however imperfect, that we seem to think we’re bad at collaborating. How so?
Straw/Sass
Because our goals are misaligned? Yeah… and did you want them to stay that way.
Because communication is hard? We can do hard things.
Because of our egos? Like getting over ourselves.
Because of our time? And committing to not letting fear run our projects.
Because of our resources? Being brave little toasters who can come to grips with disappointment.
Because of power dynamics? See: egos.
Because we resist change? We can do hard things!
Because of a lack of lack of trust? Storytime.
When I decided to write in this space, I called the log Strategic Empathy. I wanted give it that actionable vibe. Then when I was not the first to think of it, I tried Applied Empathy. I loved that one. It’s really giving process and expertise. Then I tried Functional Empathy which I didn’t like as much and was happy to see was already associated with something else.
I almost called this whole project How not to be a D*-k at Work + and Get More Done. Maybe I still will. But that’s not very fancy is it? Don’t trust someone who isn’t willing to say they’re figuring things out. If you want to come with me, that’s what I’m doing here… trying to figure it out.
I couldn’t google empathy + buzz word without tripping over half a dozen agencies packaging it as their invention. And part of me wants to say, you know, whatever it takes to get us to recognize the humans in the human resources. But I worry their price tag and their insincerity come together. When I started this thought… I wanted to be them. Now I want to be better.
So, I’m going to exercise some trust and think in public. I’ll try to be more concise in the future. It is not extremely likely.
TLDR:
Mondays- I talk about empathy less formally and ask questions in (tbd) Empathy.
Wednesdays- I review a book in book reviews.
Friday- I reflect on an experience in case studies.
I’m Holli btw. Hi.