I build seriously complex products that have seriously important impact. However, while we work being able to crack a joke and keep our eye on the glass half full keeps our team resilient and enjoying the process.

Innovation is inherently forward-looking; everything we build is both a step towards the future we want and a shift in the landscape we navigate. Ensuring there is a long-term vision of our aim will guide us through short term decisions without taking us off track, allow us to make the most of trends and changes, and build resilience in the face of uncertainty.

Diversity of thought, skills, ability, class, race, and gender makes the fabric of our world more expansive and more interesting to make things for. We miss a wealth of opportunities when we don’t have an accurate representation of the world in the room and make the space to listen to these perspectives.

While the moral and ethical responsibility of protecting nature and limiting societal harm is important enough, it’s often the right economic choice. Ensuring our solutions are environmentally and societally positive can help companies reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve their reputation.

Team dynamics and true innovation in both hierarchal and decentralized teams are determined by clear, measurable strategies and a deliberate focus on the growth, well-being, and empowerment of teams. Even with the best intention, without this the work tends to fall short.

The notion that design thinking can solve any problem or that we alone hold the solutions perpetuates unequal power dynamics, harming end-users and diminishing the effectiveness of solutions. Those experiencing the problems are often best equipped to solve them. The best design is built on co-creation with user, where our skills complement their knowledge, offering a collaborative path rather than imposing preconceived answers.