” If you’re really good at something, stop doing it.”
Jared Spool told us at UXCampOttawa. I took that to heart.
It wasn’t easy to give up the Co-Chair of the User Experience Working Group, but Jared’s advice resonated with me. It wasn’t even that I was so great at it, but I’d spent a lot of time and effort doing everything I could to nurture the working group and ensure the team’s success. I loved the work and the people. It was a rush.
Luckily, I didn’t have to mentor someone else, as Jared had gone on to recommend. Just like good design; all I had to do was get out of the way. With Spydergrrl already leading the charge, and the very capable Sage Cram stepping up to the plate, UxWG is in good shape. The work will carry on, new people will join, old people will still help out.
Relinquishing control doesn’t come easy for me. This experience is showing me that it’s ok to be out in front some of the time, but supporting others is rewarding too. I’m watching for opportunities in other parts of my life where I can get out of the way; of progress, of new leaders, of better methods.
And hey, now I have time to learn new stuff. And that’ll be fun, right?
You have done a fantastic job building and supporting this community. Sage and I are well aware that we have out work cut out for us if we want to keep up the quality of work and engagement you were able to foster. Thanks for being a great mentor.
Thank you! I hope you find it as fun and meaningful as I did. I’ll be cheering you on and supporting you all the way.
I’m very grateful to both of you. It was a pleasure working with so many passionate and talented people.
I’m pretty sure the last four years of us working together counts towards your mentoring badge!!
I’m honored to take over for you and with Tanya at my side and you still a tweet away I know MORE great things are ready to get done.
Cheers Laura, I’m a better more usable person thanks to you!!
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I actually stopped doing research and moved into policy for this very reason!