EX Leadership Newsletter - September 2023
EX Design - A Designer's Mindset - AI & Culture - Communicate! - Conversation
My aim in these newsletters is to be focused and to the point. I think that’s the case in this edition. Two articles zero-in on EX design. One looks at whether your culture is ready for AI.** Another looks at the leadership challenge of communicating through uncertainty. Finally, there’s a new piece from me on EX and conversation.
Here goes:
This first article is by Jen Briselli. She argues that great EX is built around tools, information, and motivation. Figuring out what to do starts with understanding, then putting things in context, and trying out small interventions. She argues that if you work in HR, you need to think of yourself as an experience designer. I really enjoyed it.
https://medium.com/topology-insight/improving-employee-experiences-19bd9b12984f
Building nicely on Jen’s paper, Abhijit Bhaduri looks at a “designer’s mindset” which he argues is about approaching problems with creativity, curiosity, and empathy. (I would quibble with his point about always removing friction, but I agree strongly with the focus on creative confidence).
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/having-designers-mindset-changes-your-life-heres-how-bhaduri/
AI is a hot topic. In this useful article Hilton Barbour asks if you have a culture that can absorb and sustain an AI transformation? I love that question. In particular, he asks if you’re investing enough in learning.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-culture-ready-ai-future-hilton-barbour/
I found this piece by Liz Fosslien on managing people through uncertain times useful. She offers practical advice such as "providing context when you can’t create clarity."
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-to-support-your-team-when-uncertainty-is-high/
Finally, I’ve written something about listening strategies, trust, and involvement. A continuous listening strategy is more than a calendar of pulse and life-cycle surveys, it should aim to establish conversation as a cornerstone of your culture.
https://nickl4.medium.com/listening-strategies-and-conversation-d797450b3dea
I hope you enjoy these articles and find them useful.
As always, let me know what you make of them.
Best,
Nick
** This is something I’m super interested in and on a personal note I’ve started an Online Masters in AI & Innovation. As such, through understanding, I’ve started my personal fight back against the machines. :-)