We sometimes talk about our work as “re-humanizing technology.”
I realize that might sound like a contradiction in terms, because so often just using technology systems is basically an uncomfortable, semi-dehumanizing experience for people. The systems are confusing, hard to learn, awkward to use, and they don’t fit our needs very well.
The natural reaction is often to get angry (understandable), or to bail out and use something else (understandable), or to blame ourselves for not being good enough at using them (also understandable). Countless times I’ve heard people apologize for not being very ‘technologically savvy’, or admit with some shame that they are ‘just not very good at technology’.
I suspect it’s the opposite. The technology isn’t very good at them.
If people have to twist themselves in knots to use your technology systems, the problem isn’t with the people, it’s with the systems. You shouldn’t have to force yourself into ill-fitting and difficult technology systems. The systems need to come to you. They need to be easy, effective, great. Enjoyable, even. You should love your technology, and there’s no reason you can’t.
But I can almost guarantee you that the way to get there is not to just swap out your current system — whose past lofty promises were never realized — for a different system with a new set of lofty promises.
The answer probably isn’t swapping out your consultants, either. That might help, but it won’t fundamentally change the game.
The real solution is people. Your own people. Getting the right people in the right roles in the right structures, inside your organization’s walls.
It’s getting yourself a team of those magical, empathetic, excellent communicators who can bridge the divide between your systems and the people who need to use them. A team of people who know the possibilities of the technology and who make it their mission to understand your needs and tirelessly work to always make the systems fit and support those needs better, easier, more intuitively, even by a little, every single day.
I’m one of those people, and I can’t quite put my finger on why this is, but I really thrive off of doing that exact type of work for people. For figuring out what someone needs to do and how I can use the tools I know to make that easier, more efficient, more intuitive, even more joyous.
And then seeing the compounding returns of those changes add up over time. Seeing possibilities awaken, seeing people enjoy the changes and appreciate the ideas and start to feel more powerful in what they themselves can accomplish.
There are lots of people like me out there. I can say that with confidence, because we build wonderful, high-functioning teams out of them for our clients. These people are absolute game-changers, we’ve seen it happen time and again.
Imagine the impact of having your own team of people who are great with technology, yes, but who are most interested in solving problems for others. For bringing a measure of greater dignity, greater respect, and greater happiness to their colleagues and allies, every single day they show up.
For re-humanizing the way we work.