In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy speaks with Melissa Pickering, an accomplished product development expert with a rich background in leadership. Melissa's impressive career spans from launching her own EdTech startup, iCreate to Educate, to solving complex challenges at Lego by integrating digital and physical experiences, to making a significant impact at Willow, a company focused on products for moms. Currently, she leads product development as a Senior Director of Product at Bose.

The main theme of their conversation revolves around one of Tracy's 12 Favorite Problems: "How might we create impactful order out of chaos?" Melissa's passion for untangling complex challenges and breaking them down into manageable parts makes her the perfect guest for this topic. She shares her insights on both the people and product sides of creating order and discusses the creative tension between structure and flexibility, particularly in innovation and product development.

Melissa also delves into the urgent need for focus, the dynamics of quick decision-making versus taking time to reach a consensus, and the wisdom of allowing innovation to emerge from a deeper examination of options and opportunities. Her expertise, insights, and leadership lessons offer valuable takeaways for anyone involved in product development, team leadership, or personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Embrace the chaos: In product development and organizational change, some level of chaos is necessary for innovation and progress.

• Focus is key: In a world of constant distractions, cultivating focus and presence is crucial for individual and team productivity.

• Don't overcomplicate: Avoid unnecessary complexity in product development and problem-solving by focusing on user needs and core assumptions.

• Influence for lasting change: Driving change through influence and collaboration leads to greater ownership and sustainable results.

Melissa’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

Switch by Chip & Dan Heath: https://amzn.to/4caFvZL

Powerful by Patty McCord: https://amzn.to/3Sl0RMF

The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath: https://amzn.to/4dbCcCf

Connect with Melissa:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjpickering/

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy speaks to Eli Wood about one of her 12 favorite problems: How might we consistently replace complexity with insight? Eli is the leader of the collective Black Flag Design, a group of creative technologists, designers, and product strategists focused on complex AI applications.

They discuss the importance of embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and developing durable skills in AI for professionals in various fields. They also explore the value of simplicity and the insights that can come from being a generalist or non-expert.

Tracy and Eli discuss the importance of participatory design and the challenges of obtaining user feedback in sensitive data environments. He addresses the intersection of creativity and AI, debunking the notion that AI hinders creativity and instead highlighting its potential to enhance creative processes.

Key takeaways:

• Overcoming the complexity of AI: Eli emphasizes accessible on-ramps to AI skill-building and encourages embracing the technology rather than fearing it. He highlights the evolution of AI as a tool, similar to the transformation of photography.

• The importance of durable skills: Eli discusses the importance of adaptive learning and executive function as crucial skills for the future of work. He introduces the "tennis" analogy as a metaphor for encouraging individual agency and action.

• Creative pragmatism: Eli advocates for a relationship-based approach to problem-solving, prioritizing clarity over jargon. He emphasizes experimentation, mindset, and assumption-busting as key elements in achieving practical outcomes.

• The role of AI in creativity: Eli expresses optimism about the potential for AI to enhance creativity, sharing his personal experience of increased creativity through AI-powered tools.

• The future of human skills: Eli believes that adaptive learning and communication will be critical skills for humans in the evolving landscape of AI.

Eli's Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

The Creative Pragmatist by Amy Smilovic - https://tibi.com/products/the-creative-pragmatist-navy-green-multi

Testing Business Ideas by David J Bland - https://amzn.to/3XW1joc

Sprint by Jake Knapp - https://amzn.to/3zCgLMc

Building by Mark Ellison - https://amzn.to/3XZtrqM

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin - https://amzn.to/4f0DTEf

Podcast Recommendations:

Lex Fridman: https://lexfridman.com/podcast/

The Daily: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736

Connect with Eli:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/notthatactor/

eli@blackflag.design

Pop Tech Conference: https://poptech.org/

In this episode, Tracy speaks with Alma Quiroga about one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we bring impactful order out of chaos?”

They explore the power of storytelling and narrative in shaping organizational culture and behavior so that business can be a force for good, from the inside out. Alma shares her journey of building people-first organizational cultures and challenging traditional business paradigms. They discuss the need to recognize and understand the stories that drive behavior within organizations and the importance of creating environments where people can thrive. They also highlight the complexity of navigating individual and collective stories within organizations and offer insights for leaders in understanding and shaping organizational narratives.

By recognizing the power of storytelling and creating spaces for collective storytelling, organizations can co-create their culture and navigate transitions more successfully.

Key Takeaways:

Storytelling is deeply ingrained in human nature and is how we relate to each other.

Our brains are wired to make sense of the world through storytelling, and humans naturally order the chaos of the world and their own internal world in a story format.

Understanding how humans make sense through story is essential for effective communication and change management in organizations.

By recognizing the power of storytelling and creating spaces for collective storytelling, organizations can co-create their culture and navigate transitions more successfully.

Alma’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins by Annette Simmons: https://amzn.to/4cqFq56

The Story Factor by Annette Simmons: https://amzn.to/4eGiwrQ

The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gotsschall https://amzn.to/3xrXCvT

Organizational Culture and Leadership by Edgar Schein: https://amzn.to/4bE0NPb

Humble Leadership, Second Edition: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust by Edgar Schein: ⁠https://amzn.to/3VMfWb0

Managing Transitions by: William Bridges & Susan Bridges https://amzn.to/3znNPaN

Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used by Peter Block: https://amzn.to/4cCf8MI

Podcast Recommendations:

Beautiful Questions Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TuliandAlma

Work Life Podcast: https://adamgrant.net/podcasts/work-life/

Radio Ambulante: https://radioambulante.org/en

Invisibilia: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510307/invisibilia

Connect with Alma:

• www.almaquiroga.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/almaquiroga/