Regarding Skepticism Top
Skepticism of ideas is a damn good thing. Especially when those ideas come strolling in with the arrogance of the “accepted norm” or the dusty old status quo. We should be making the people in power a little nervous; shaking them up, forcing them to ask if everything they've been peddling is actually worth a damn. It's not just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have in product design. Because when you approach an idea with genuine skepticism, what you're really doing is thinking critically about it, unpacking it, poking holes in it, seeing what makes it tick. How it might improve. That's how you push the envelope. Skepticism of ideas doesn't breed doubt. It breeds growth. It's gasoline on the fire of improvement. And, hell, if the powers that be can't handle a little healthy questioning, maybe it's time to change the locks and revolt.
Skepticism that stretches beyond ideas and bleeds into people? That's the kind of toxic sludge that ruins everything. You can't collaborate when you're looking at your team like they're all potential frauds. That's a wall, not a conversation. If you approach people with that kind of doubt, you're building exclusion, not inclusion. For collaboration to thrive, there has to be trust. Real, raw trust and respect. You can't just dissect someone's thoughts while simultaneously questioning their value. That's how you kill the spirit of teamwork. Skepticism of a person isn't just unhealthy; it's corrosive. It's a one-way ticket to a siloed, dysfunctional mess. If you can't meet each other with openness, what's left? Nothing but isolation and missed opportunities.
To be skeptical of a person's idea is momentary. To be skeptical of a person is permanent.
The Case For Optimism Top
For any meaningful relationship to thrive, whether personal or professional, it all comes down to optimism. Leading with optimism isn't just a nice thought, it's a signal of strength; a mark of character. Optimism doesn't tear things down, it lifts people up. It builds trust. It shows respect. And most importantly, it creates bonds. Skepticism might fine-tune ideas, but optimism is what actually brings people together. It's the glue that binds teams in the face of chaos and uncertainty.
We do our best work when we extend and champion the brilliance of the people around us. As designers, we don't just exist in a vacuum. Everyone we encounter, everyone we collaborate with, is there for a reason. They've been vetted, they've been hired, and that deserves our respect. When we work alongside people we truly respect, the solutions we craft become stronger, smarter, more meaningful. There's absolutely nothing stopping us from respecting everyone we encounter in our work. In fact, that's the foundation of great design, great teams, and great results.
Truth be told, I've had my fair share of struggles connecting with some people I've worked with. It's not easy. Sometimes it feels like you're banging your head against a wall trying to find common ground. But over time, I've made a conscious effort to lean into optimism. Because here's the thing: everyone has something valuable to offer. Everyone has ideas, their own set of goals, experiences, and yeah, their own personal shit they're juggling. And once you start recognizing that; once you really see the humanity in the people around you, it's a hell of a lot easier to approach them with a sense of optimism.
For me, the quickest path to optimism has always been awareness and empathy. When you can step outside of your own head and truly try to understand where others are coming from, it shifts the whole dynamic. And humility? That's the secret sauce. It's a two-way street. You demonstrate optimism by being humble, and you earn it right back from others. It's not about being perfect. It's about meeting each other in the messy middle, and that's where the real connections are made.