Singular XQ

I had the distinct and unique pleasure of chatting with Nate Shalev, a leading voice in workplace inclusion while they lives a quiet Brooklyn life with their wife and beagle, Joan Jett. (Nate had me at Joan Jett. Blackhearted for life.) 

Nate has a way of making me think things like: why do we wait for others’ pain to force us to reconsider how we approach collaboration and community growth? 

Nate is candid and forthcoming and I’m so grateful for it. They discuss their journey in the non-profit and social impact space, highlighting the disconnect between organizations’ external values and internal cultures. They emphasize the importance of genuine inclusivity, especially for marginalized identities in the workplace.

Inclusivity vs. Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

I was fascinated when Nate began a nuanced unpacking of the interrelation of inclusivity with diversity, equity, and belonging. Shalev stresses the need for workplaces to reflect societal diversity and provide necessary support for employees to thrive.

Most importantly, for inclusivity to truly accomplish it’s lofty aims, that inclusivity must be a Proactive Inclusivity. Nate brings up something so simple it might escape our conscious notice but if the individual has to raise concerns and ask for accomodations it is already too late. 

Neurodiversity and LGBTQ Inclusion

Nate also delves into the intersection of neurodiversity and LGBTQ inclusion, discussing societal and workplace challenges faced by these communities. Nate points out that the tech industry aligns with neurodivergent and transgender individuals, and the potential for these groups to positively influence tech culture and products has a huge potential for advocacy, impact, and authentic social change. 

The podast provides practical advice for advocating for neurodiverse colleagues in the workplace, emphasizing the need for allies to recognize and address potential challenges proactively. There will be resistance when advocating for inclusive practices, with Nate offering strategies to counteract such attitudes. Remember, if we force our colleagues into the position of self-advocacy the damage has already been done. I was particularly moved by Nate sharing that if they ask for an accomodation it is likely because they have already burnt out. Simple things like colleagues stopping by their desk for small talk can throw off an entire morning. 

We’d like to know. Have you ever advocated for a neurodiverse or LGBTQ+ colleague? What was the outcome? 

If you’ve enjoyed or benefitted from these podcasts, you know what to do. Hit us up on Patreon! We enjoy doing this work for our fellow technologists and the general public who wants to learn more about the tech ecosystem. 

Here's a shortened version for your program notes on Anchor.FM:

Part 2 with Gene Kim: Unraveling Innovation in Tech

Join us for the second part of our engaging discussion with Gene Kim and SXQ advisor Kai Brunner. We delve deeper into innovation management, uncovering vital insights that redefine productivity and ethical practices in the tech industry.

The Importance of Psychological Safety

Rethinking Productivity Metrics in Agile DevOps

The Danger of Misleading Metrics

Embracing Vigilance and Critical Thinking

JOIN OUR PATREON TO HELP US CONTINUE TO SUPPORT VOICES LIKE GENE'S.

The one in which JP was schooled but Chief SXQ Mad Scientist Aaron Beavers on using the right language when talking about AI and shares the learning so you don't get fooled but deliberate mystification marketing. Also--the problem with Open AI and the myth of the lone creative genius.

Our latest podcast episodes delve into themes like solipsism, success, team dynamics, learning from failure, blameless post-mortems, psychological safety, and my favorite concept, SLOWIFICATION. In an industry often driven by the need for speed, we champion the counter-cultural idea of slowing down, embracing the marathon, not the sprint, philosophy in Agile Dev-Ops. As we say here, we want to slow down and repair things. We were happy Gene feels the same way.

JP drinks her coffee, shares her deep dive over the Biden EO on AI (EI EI O), and talks about using GPT as a thinking tool, not just a writing slave with poor critical judgment.

True to his devotion to circular economies, we admire Don for his desire to give back and to reconsider some of the choices that were made at the beginning of the digital revolution, particularly those decisions that have led to waste. He has widened his point of view from human-centered design to “humanity-centered” design to include the planet in our considerations and design choices. 

Part 2 of our conversation with human-centered design pioneer Don Norman delves into the potential of generative AI, his vision of a circular economy, and the challenges young designers face as they embark on their careers.

We talk to Don about the potential for generative AI to enhance decision-making and be leveraged for complex decision-making in ways that can help us, as his new book says, design for a better world. Despite some of the headlining controversies in the design world, Norman expresses his enthusiasm for generative AI, particularly models like GPT, highlighting their ability to answer questions, streamline research, and enhance decision-making.

The heart of our conversation in part 2, revolves around the concept of a circular economy, inspired by nature’s efficient recycling and reusing processes. Don emphasizes the need to design products with longevity and repairability in mind, departing from the current “planned obsolescence” model. This shift reduces waste and minimizes environmental impact, with products designed for durability and easy replacement or repair.

Don suggests that businesses adapt their models to offer services rather than merely selling products to facilitate this transition. This change is already visible in industries like aviation, where engine manufacturers sell by usage hours, and tire companies offer tires per mile. This shift promotes sustainability, prolongs product life, and reduces waste.

Don ends with a challenge and some inspiration for young designers. Don encourages them to remain dedicated to their passion and principles, emphasizing the importance of choosing roles that align with their values and offer personal growth. His message is clear: seek fulfillment and play a role in creating a greener, more environmentally friendly future through design and innovation. Don’t abandon your passion, as it has the potential to make a lasting impact on society and the environment. 

Like we say here at SXQ — curious people who care change the world. 

Many thanks to Don for his generosity with us; we are grateful for our relationship. Don’t forget to check out the Don Norman Award.

So when Don Norman agreed to do a podcast with me, I have to be real for a second, I SQUEEEEEEED. Literally. I said “SQUEEEEE.”

The book that everyone has on their shelf when they want to design, The Design of Everyday Things, is the best industry read of any in its class. I say this with some kind of measure, albeit qualitative and therefore somewhat plagued by anecdotal indeterminacy. That was fun to write. Anyway, this is my fancy way of saying: I’ve given his book to a lot of colleagues both in Design and outside of it, and it has broad appeal.

Don is highly learned and experienced, but his communication style is humble and straightforward, tempting one even to think that he might be naive because he seems so unconcerned with the complexity and jargon that intrigues others. However, this is precisely because he understands complexity so well that he can communicate it in the most convenient language for all.

I tend to gift it to people from all kinds of different fields who are “systems thinkers,” Don’s understanding of design is not how something looks but also how it works, and in the best designs, how it works and how it looks are extensions of each other. You can find all his rockstar resume on Linked In or on Wikipedia. He is kind of a legend. Like Ron Burgundy, he’s kind of a huge deal. I didn’t ask if he had a library that smelled of rich mahogany as Ron Burgundy does, but I digress.

So when I heard about his new book, Design for a Better World, I not only bought several copies to give as gifts, I reached out to Don for an interview. I didn’t really expect him to respond, but I was delighted when he did.

And the delight just continues as I’ve come to think of Don as a friend and one with a vision I can’t help but to sign on with. Listen to part one and stay tuned for part 2. The most remarkable thing about Don is that he is unflinching in examining the excesses of what he and his Silicon Valley colleagues may have unleashed. And he is intent on righting wrongs and lighting a runway for the future. We chat about knowledge and identity and the circular economy. Stay tuned for part 2!

Please check out and sign up for more info about Don’s current project. 

Exciting News!  Season 3 of the Singular XQ Podcast is here! Are you a young tech enthusiast looking to kickstart your career in the ever-evolving world of technology? How about a seasoned technologist who enjoys cross-functional learning and the human side of digital transformation? This season is tailor-made for you! Each of you.Join us as we dive into the world of digital transformation and explore how to stay ahead in this era of rapid change. Discover the most important skills you need to learn right now, the value of finding a mentor, and the stories of tech pioneers who are breaking boundaries. Including episodes on:

Don’t miss out on the journey! Tune in to Singular XQ Podcast for insights and conversations to feed your curiosity and nurture your intellect.  #SingularXQPodcast #TechCareer #DigitalTransformation #Mentorship #TechInnovation

Digital transformation is not solely about technology; it's about people. Technology can enable change, but the people within an organization drive and sustain it. Change management recognizes this fundamental truth and focuses on guiding individuals and teams through the change process. It involves understanding human behavior, addressing resistance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. That’s why we were thrilled when change management guru Laura Massa not only joined as a Founding Advisor but stepped up to become a member of the Founding Executive Team as Chief Operating Advisor. Listen as Laura introduces herself, and we discuss why change management is considered a linchpin in any digital transformation effort.

Consider supporting our Patreon page as we get ready to launch Season 3. Your support right now is critical.

Thanks for listening and we can't wait to launch Season 3 for you.

Curious people who care change the world.