IDEO’s CEO, Sandy Speicher, Asks: What Is an Office Even For Now?
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Speicher explains how design thinking can help guide us to new ways of collaborating as we rethink work and the workplace in a post-Covid world.
This interview part of a series called “The New World of Work,” which explores how top-tier executives see the future and how their companies are trying to set themselves up for success. Each week, Adi will interview a leader on LinkedIn Live - and then share an inside look at those conversations and solicit questions for future discussions in a newsletter just for HBR subscribers. If you’re a subscriber, you can sign up for the newsletter here: hbr.org/my-lib....
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Dear Adi, Sandy, (all the wonderful behind-the-scenes group and audience) what an enriching conversation. Sincerely, I learned a lot not just from Sandy's answers but also from the questions. Warmest thanks.
To me, questions are not just questions. Whether they are answered or not, they are window frames. The more incisive the question, the wider the window frame. And therefore, the vista covered widens as well. A small window could only reveal a rose blooming in the garden below. A wider window frame could reveal there's a gurgling brook beside it. And verdant, deep green hills as well. At the top of those hills, the sunrise burst into shades of orange revealing two lovers holding hands, sitting beside the pot that houses the blooming rose.
Context deepens as the question goes deeper. The more varied the questions, the more varied the window frames. And if the questions approach the problem from as many angles as possible (e.g. Why is the rose blooming now? was it triggered by the sunrise, the brook, the lovers, etc.), I guess, the probability increases of serendipity happening and an innovative idea emerging. Respectfully, that is why diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, to me, is necessary. But only the right DEI. E.g. a group of insane people in a mental asylum for the deranged will produce insane ideas. Definitely. But not necessarily useful ones to society.
Respectfully, from personal experience, design is the key element that optimizes the power of a great idea. Example. In the fast-food business I'm in, finding a fantastic location (idea) absent a useful design to optimize its potential, will not necessarily produce a 3-year ROI (the benchmark). If I were to choose between locating inside a mall (a traffic generator), versus locating outside the mall, I would choose the latter. Why? Because outside gives me the option of more business channels (optimizing the sales potential of a traffic generator). I can have 24 hours operation and drive-thru sales. 24 Hours on delivery and take-out. Channels that are limited if not absent, when one is located inside the mall. A great idea must use a great design to maximize its potential. That is the principle.
However, if one doesn't understand the "intent" (the heart) of the designer(s), then even if one follows the text, and principle of a great design, centering around a singular supreme idea, one may not be able to reap the full benefit of that idea. Unfortunately, I can only cite a religious example that may or may not fit in the context of this business venue.
Even so, I will attempt to share it all the same. Please indulge me. The exposition of the Lotus Sutra was revealing the ultimate Mystic law that can awaken unbreakable happiness in all humankind, and the mission and Vow of the Bodhisattvas of the Earth (and only them) to spread it widely in the 5th 500 year after the passing of the Sakyamuni. Even if it cost their lives. The intent.
Text and Principle. The exposition was "designed" around a story whose heart is the mythical "Ceremony in the Air". The structure of the story followed the sequence through text- Site 1- everyone gathered around Eagle Peak- Site2- All were lifted up above Eagle Peak to attend a Ceremony- Site3- After the entrustment all went down to Eagle Peak. The principle of 2 Assemblies in 3 places. Text and Principle.
However, throughout the centuries after that the text and principle were made known, but the "intent" (to save all) gradually diminished. The Law was almost lost, until about 800 years ago. When its intent was taken up once again by the leader and mentor of that group honored in that ceremony by the people of the Ten Directions as - Bodhisattvas of the Earth.
Now I digress so much. This is a business website.
I understand that Egyptian Hieroglyphics also use drawings in their sentences much like the use of Chinese and Japanese characters. No, I won't presume I understand them, but if one understands the true "intent" the heart of the designer(s), just as Nichiren and the Bodhisattvas of the Earth, then perhaps deeper truths will be revealed further. And newer technologies that could be used to benefit all humankind could be revealed.
For example, Excalibur (sword of King Arthur), ancient though that story is, from my perspective, is very advanced DNA technology (because its customized, organic and biological- it identifies a specific genetic- from King Arthur genes and no one else) embedded on a material is non-organic. And that example of DNA identification is even primitive if we compare it to airborne nano particles that could distinguish a sheep or goat's blood particles painted on a mud wall or wooden door and human placentas. What more could those Egyptian Hieroglyphics reveal, if one understands the "intent" of its designers. What compassionate and inclusive technologies could they lead us to that will benefit all humankind?
If the intent is lost, then the text, and principle, will even lead one to go astray and forget the mission to lift others to happiness. And this is probably why a lot of innovation, no matter how great they are when they started, lost their efficacy and reached the end of their lifespans, because they lost the heart (the compassionate intent) of their idea. Just look at some social media web platforms today that are receiving derisions. Text, principle, and most important, intent.
If one understands the intent and let that true intent guide one to understand the text and principle better, then one can evolve and enable the great idea to transcend time and achieve its purpose. How the 28 Chapter Lotus Sutra, evolved into the 7 Character Lotus Sutra and survived the ages, so it could benefit everyone for the next 10,000 years. Text, principle and intent is not just about technology and innovation. It is also about Philosophy.
Respectfully, advance merry and a safe x'mas and new year to all. See you in January and probably till spring. Winter always to spring. Emmanuel Matuco
@Emmanuel.... Your comment is.... Waoh... 👍 😊
@@lekeoshiyemi1711 thank you so much.
Loved how you put everything. It was certainly very relatable too :)
Always wait for the next episode, kindly invite CEOs of Financial Institutions as well.
Extremely insightful.
I do wonder how this will change the concept of open plan offices?
I love IDEO the company and was absolutely interested in their thoughts. The lip smacking though, made it tough to sit through and listen.
Present more often Sandy Speicher, and you will get better at it. Eyes veering off the screen, overly emphasized "ems" and lip smacking, it's all avoidable with practice. A better camera could've been used as a webcam like sony or fuji, better audio like a lav mic at least, background creeping way to close to the person, natural light is decent though, and content is good, but was difficult to follow because of so many distractions.
Respectfully, I understand what Artificial Intelligence can do. But have we all agreed on what it "should" do for the survival and happiness of all our children and grandchildren and humanity? My apologies. to the lady leader/author, whose topic of AI, as she so superbly explained in her article and whose sincere good intentions may have been derailed by my incomplete and therefore irresponsible comment. I truly am sorry. Hopefully, through this apology, I could achieve closure for myself. Truly I'm sorry mam. Emmanuel Matuco.