• October 17, 2016

number .05

COLLABORATION AND FEEDBACK

number .05

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[TID-BITS] : COLLABORATION AND FEEDBACK

I’ve always been a rather independent person. When it comes to doing, thinking, executing, making, solving, creating, fixing…(etc.) I gravitate towards a solo path.

Put crassly, I don’t play well with others.

Christine: on the job

  • experience
  • to “learn” [a lot]
  • responsible
  • intrinsically motivated people
  • “team”
  • collaborative environment
  • ignite motivation

I started my company …[and] to date my biggest asset is cultivating the skill of seeking out, learning from and most importantly (although still aspirationally*) APPRECIATE collaboration.

criticism is feedback you don’t learn from.

[to be honest] I do sometimes have a visceral reaction, when I seek “feedback” and it returns as “constrictive” criticism (wrapped in a small box complete with a bow and strategically sandwiched between obligatory positives) or flat out criticism.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T LIKE IT [ME?].”

Why is criticism (albeit uncomfortable) ABSOLUTELY necessary for creativity?

  • It can exposes a “rut” in thinking
  • It reveals another perspective (especially amusing when the critiquing party misunderstands the subject or content – shows how general society might construe)
  • Discomfort obliterates the “comfort zone**”
  • It sparks doing/creating/fixing/thinking/producing/executing something [new]
  • Shows how the other would change/alter/do what we’re doing.
  • Build tough(er) skin

* in an aspirational manner: see dictionary
** a warm little corner of the world where one feels safe and secure.


Thoughts from reading (Cracking Creativity, pp 81-108)

  • Different screens parallel work spaces – having “work stations” next to each other so multiple projects/problems/tasks can be worked on in proximity to (or alongside) each other
  • Thesaurus – using one to find synonyms for words – how does this change/tweak/alter the meaning? How can it be used to effect tone but still say the same thing OR alter the meaning altogether?
  • QA – process of making it then breaking it to figure out how it works, components etc.
    • How the process of pushing something to extremes can help understanding of X
  • Getting customer feedback – customer service tactic – use feedback and integrate ideas into enhancements or new versions