Top Tech Voices Podcast S2 E5: Work-Tech Life Balance

First, I must apologize for my latest in writing my summary.  I actually enjoyed the chat between Dr Anne-Laure Le Cunff and Ms. Anderson, but by the end of the interview I was still confused by many of the concepts of Dr Le Cunff and their practicality.  I re-watched the interview, but that didn’t clear up my confusion, so I decided to do more checking into her research at NESS Labs, of which she is the founder and CEO.  In other words, she runs a “think tank” (TT).  This is not intended to be negative, but from my experience, not all ideas from TTs may be productive in the real world.  More about that later.

From her website, ““-ness” is a suffix that means “state of being”, as in awareness, mindfulness, consciousness.  Ness Labs is a playground for curiosity – a place where you can learn how to experiment with ideas, explore creative projects, make better decisions, and reflect on your progress.” 

Tiny experiments (TE) are intended to transform the approach to personal growth and productivity by replacing rigid, linear goal-setting with playful, iterative exploration. They are intended to empower individuals to act with curiosity, learn from small trials, and gradually shape a meaningful, authentic life while navigating uncertainty with confidence.

But before all of this, in our real professional worlds, you need buy-in (i.e. support) from all levels of management.  All the companies and managers I’ve worked for had products defined and schedules to meet.  As a team, we all had expectations to meet as we interfaced with other team members and partners trying to balance multiple tasks.  We may try new things, but they are often on our own time and because we are engineers and love what we do.

Now for the most part that is our “practical” working/business side while we interface with others.  In our personal space and time, we have a little more time to “experiment”.  I agree TEs can be more interesting and even enlightening.  However, surrounding our questionable habits and tendencies these TEs can be very helpful when conducted in a more scientific and control way.  I would want to make any long term adjustable to my life based on a single experience (unless it was life threating).  My personal bias may yet in the way.  Some of my best friends may not be if that was the case.  Let me know what you think and click like. 8^)

Gordon

First, I must apologize for my latest in writing my summary.  I actually enjoyed the chat between Dr Anne-Laure Le Cunff and Ms. Anderson, but by the end of the interview I was still confused by many of the concepts of Dr Le Cunff and their practicality.  I re-watched the interview, but that didn’t clear up my confusion, so I decided to do more checking into her research at NESS Labs, of which she is the founder and CEO.  In other words, she runs a “think tank” (TT).  This is not intended to be negative, but from my experience, not all ideas from TTs may be productive in the real world.  More about that later.

From her website, ““-ness” is a suffix that means “state of being”, as in awareness, mindfulness, consciousness.  Ness Labs is a playground for curiosity – a place where you can learn how to experiment with ideas, explore creative projects, make better decisions, and reflect on your progress.” 

Tiny experiments (TE) are intended to transform the approach to personal growth and productivity by replacing rigid, linear goal-setting with playful, iterative exploration. They are intended to empower individuals to act with curiosity, learn from small trials, and gradually shape a meaningful, authentic life while navigating uncertainty with confidence.

But before all of this, in our real professional worlds, you need buy-in (i.e. support) from all levels of management.  All the companies and managers I’ve worked for had products defined and schedules to meet.  As a team, we all had expectations to meet as we interfaced with other team members and partners trying to balance multiple tasks.  We may try new things, but they are often on our own time and because we are engineers and love what we do.

Now for the most part that is our “practical” working/business side while we interface with others.  In our personal space and time, we have a little more time to “experiment”.  I agree TEs can be more interesting and even enlightening.  However, surrounding our questionable habits and tendencies these TEs can be very helpful when conducted in a more scientific and control way.  I would want to make any long term adjustable to my life based on a single experience (unless it was life threating).  My personal bias may yet in the way.  Some of my best friends may not be if that was the case.  Let me know what you think and click like. 8^)

Gordon