Every framework, approach, process in the world won’t get you the innovation you seek. Innovation happens when we listen to each other. Here are 6 things you need to know about empathy in IT.
Larry Gioia joins us for the discussion. He has been passionately delivering for his clients as a management consultant where he works alongside executives and innovators to improve the future of healthcare.
Larry is a technical humanist. By seeing how people and technology ideas come together to create a greater good, Larry is always connecting the dots for people and with people.
We Discuss:
- What is ABCD?
- Are technologists empathy-deficient by nature?
- How does focus on people improve technical delivery?
- What do I get out of sharing ideas in this fashion?
- What messages do we bring to senior management to convince them of the value of a more empathetic approach to delivery?
Key Highlights:
- The concept of “always be connecting the dots” (ABCD) is about having the mindset that everything is connected in life and business (00:02:02 – 00:02:51). This can lead to innovation when people listen to each other’s perspectives.
- Empathy in technology is important – technology should enhance people’s lives and meet human needs, not just be technology for technology’s sake (00:03:01 – 00:05:09).
- Automation can free up more time for human connection and empathy, so we should shift our thinking to view it as enabling us to spend more time listening and understanding people (00:12:10 – 00:14:12).
- We can’t rely solely on technology for connection – bringing people together physically still has immense value even in today’s remote work environment (00:23:04 – 00:24:10).
- There is an opportunity for AI/technology to help detect subtle emotional cues in online communication that can’t be perceived when not face-to-face (00:32:17 – 00:35:07).
- Practicing skills like listening, having genuine dialogs beyond just work-focused conversations, and reaching out to connect with people are key for building empathy (00:36:01 – 00:38:03).
- Having a sense of purpose at work and emphasizing purpose in organizations can help catalyze conversations leading to more empathy and connection (00:41:02 – 00:42:18).
- Integrating work, life, and purpose creates the most fulfillment and helps change workplace culture (00:47:06 – 00:48:22).
6 Takeaways:
- The “always be connecting the dots” mindset views everything as connected in life and business, which can lead to innovation through perspective sharing and listening.
- Technology should enhance people’s lives by meeting human needs with empathy rather than just focusing on the technology itself.
- Reframing automation as freeing up more time for human connection and empathy shifts thinking to see it as enabling more understanding between people.
- Physically bringing people together still provides immense value even with remote work through technology, so it can’t be overlooked.
- AI and technology present opportunities to detect emotional cues in online communication that facilitate empathy similar to face-to-face interactions.
- Practicing skills like listening, having genuine dialogs beyond work, and proactively connecting with others are critical for building empathy and purpose.
Larry is always seen on LinkedIn and Twitter sharing great ideas. But you should also check out his other work at Dynamic Paddlers and watch some of his talks about connecting the dots:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lgioia/detail/recent-activity/posts/
Dynamic Paddlers: http://www.dynamicpaddlers.com/
Larry at the Going Deep Summit 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDqw_4luD_o
Larry talking about the Key Principles Shaping the Future of Work: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6442844202463162368/
Check out the Audio-only version of this episode!
Episode 09 – Audio Only
