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Talk: How We Get Wicked Good

by | Apr 1, 2021 | Uncategorized

Just getting ready to debut a new talk in a couple of days at the Spring edition of UX Camp: Home by the Chicago Camps crew (a great group of organizers – check them out!). Here is the talk summary:

Did you ever wonder why so much of our work seems harder than it should be? Does it feel like you are constantly working at altitude, trying to do more work with less oxygen? Well, Karen’s first job in tech was in 1993. You read that right. 1993. That’s almost 30 years across different roles and companies, all in technology and digital products. And no matter how much more skilled we all get, things just seem to be getting harder. How do we move from barely surviving to practically thriving?

In this new talk, we’ll discuss how we get wicked good: moving through competency and mastery to sustainability, even in environments that seem to be set up for failure, disappointment, and eventual burnout. We’ll explore how to make our work spaces kinder, more inclusive, and more supportive of long term engagement and growth while at the same time encouraging us to be more thoughtful and intentional about the design decisions and career choices we make.

If you are interested in having me speak at your event, please reach out via my Contact page.

I was inspired by A LOT of reading and other resources for this talk, so I thought I would share them here, and then use this link to share with the audience.

Wicked Good References & Resources

First, let’s start with books. I strongly, and I mean STRONGLY encourage you to shop at independent bookstores (or even your local library) and only use Amazon as a last resort. I’ve included a reading list on bookshop.org for your convenience; I donate any money I make from affiliate links to organizations working on equity and inclusion in our industry.

  • Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, by David Epstein
  • Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day, by Jay Shetty
  • Don’t Be Evil: How Big Tech Betrayed It’s Founding Principles – And All of Us, by Rana Foroohar
  • It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated Into Your Greatest Advantage, by Arlan Hamilton
  • Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done, by John Acuff
  • Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas that Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform industries”, by Safi Bahcall
  • Doughnut Economics: 7 Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist, by Kate Raworth
  • Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual, by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
  • Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up, by Jerry Colonna
  • Keep Moving: Notes on Loss, Creativity, and Change, by Maggie Smith
  • When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times, by Pema Chodron
  • Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Live from Dear Sugary, by Cheryl Strayed
  • The Choice: Embrace the Possible, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

To listen (podcasts): Some of these are directly about work, but all of them help me think more equitably and holistically about my work and it’s impact, and help me reflect on connection and community. Look for them on whatever app you use to stream your favorite podcasts.

To watch (videos):

And finally, I highly, and I mean HIGHLY recommend checking out the work Vivianne Castillo is doing with HmntyCntrd (a community for UX professionals focused on transforming what it means to be human-centered), and checking out her writing on Medium.