The first time I went to Washington, D.C., I had a super awesome beige coat I was really proud of. While walking around, though, I realized right away that no one in D.C. wears anything but black. I immediately felt like a tourist. I was self-conscious to the point that I changed my behavior — I was quieter, less confident, and less excited to go out and enjoy the trip.

This goes for anyone walking into a job or a project or an industry where they’re “the only one.” You’re constantly aware of the fact that no one else looks like you, and you might not express your full self because you’re worried people are judging or making assumptions about you.

Towards the end of my trip, I was in a cab and started lamenting to the driver about my coat and how I was so embarrassed. We were at a stoplight, and he turned around and said, “It’s okay, we accept coats of all colors here.” Right away, my attitude changed. I was reassured, and felt proud of my coat again instead of being self-conscious about it.

That cab driver played a role for me that is valuable for anyone who feels like an outsider. Just having one person say, “You belong here, we appreciate you,” makes a huge difference in helping someone feel more accepted.

You can play that role if you work with someone who is one of the few women or people of color in your industry, or who might otherwise be underrepresented in the room. Thank them for being part of the team, acknowledge their great work, and ask for their opinion if they’re not speaking up in meetings. Make an effort to include people, because they’re there for a reason: They’re talented at what they do.

Everyone has been in a situation where they felt like they didn’t belong. You may not know what it’s like to be the only woman or the only person of color in a room, but you’ve probably had an experience like my trip to D.C. Those moments allow you to understand what it’s like to be an outsider, and remind you to help others feel a little less alone.

The post Being an Outsider appeared first on Software for Good.

Software for Good has always worked with our clients to think through users and goals for a software project, but in recent years, we’ve started to go deeper. We’ve expanded our strategy services, bringing a more holistic and human-centered strategic approach to all of our projects.

In the past, we’ve collaboratively brainstormed app features through a process called story writing. This user-centric activity allows us to identify development tasks for a web or mobile application by thinking through the lens of its users. Each story follows the format, “As a [role], I want to [do a task] so I can [accomplish goal].”

Though we still write user stories, we’ve also been exploring new ways to get the best insights and ideas. We’ve started doing more sketching in strategy sessions with clients, using the Crazy 8’s method from Google Design Sprints to quickly brainstorm and share potential features. That allows us to be open and creative when we need to be, rather than trying to narrow in and articulate specific requirements. And we’re incorporating more user research and testing, making sure that what we’re building is truly solving problems for people.

Driven by empathy

For last year’s strategy project with HousingLink, we spoke with several potential users of the app, a new platform to simplify the waitlist process for project-based section 8 housing. We heard people say things like, “My house doesn’t have to be beautiful. I just want a place I can lie down and no one will judge me. Home is the most important thing you can have.”

We mapped out the journey for a person in this system looking for a place to live, which might seem straightforward:

But really functions like this:

At the heart of our approach to the project was empathy. We wanted to understand (to the best of our ability) what it’s really like to be without stable housing, apply for a place to live, and deal with the delays and uncertainty. Our conversations with actual potential users of the software informed how we designed the user experience, and has continued to shape the development of Housing Hub.

The project became the focus of a talk I gave at last year’s World Usability Day about empathy-driven software. I explained that Software for Good’s approach is empathy first, technology second. We want to build the right product to have the most impact.

A new direction: Human-centered product strategy

As we continue to apply that approach to strategy projects, it’s become clear that the work we’re doing is human-centered product and service design. Rather than our team simply executing a list of features, we’re taking a step back to understand the purpose and context, and to consider the people who will be affected. And we’re thinking beyond a single piece of software, developing product roadmaps to help our clients incorporate technology over time.

That’s why I realized my job title needed to change — the work I do isn’t only strategy, but involves thinking holistically about technology products, the people they serve, and the problems they solve. I’m now officially the Director of Product Strategy, and I lead the strategy team to incorporate UX, design, and content into meaningful, impactful products.

That could mean a full, six-month strategy phase complete with research, user interviews, UX design, and a long-term product roadmap. Or it could be as simple as a half-day, stand-alone strategy session that clarifies a product’s users and goals.

Our strategy offerings will continue to expand and evolve, but our core purpose remains the same: to bring people and technology together to solve complex problems. I can’t wait to see what we’ll build next.

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I graduated high school one year before the Columbine massacre.

I have never participated in a code red drill.

I have no idea what it’s like to be afraid of some bad guy shooting up my classroom.

I have a 10-year-old son.

Last Saturday, I had the honor to walk with my son and 18,000 other Minnesotans in a March for Our Lives at the Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota. This march wasn’t about me. It was about our children, and the world they exist in now. I am so proud of all the youth of our country leading the way to eliminate gun violence.

I will be an ally.

I will march.

I will use my voice and privilege to amplify change.

I will vote.

This is what democracy looks like!

The post Amplify for Our Lives appeared first on Software for Good.

With his teacher’s encouragement, he started showing his work even if he quickly solved the problem in his head. Move forward a few years, and he is now teaching several students how to learn math. Incredible!

This same rule applies to good communication in business. Sometimes we make a decision or give an answer when we should also show our work or explain how we came to our conclusion. This will not only help with efficiency in communication; it will also help build confidence in your answers.

This week, when making a decision or responding to questions, try showing your work by explaining how you came to make that decision. It could be as simple as talking through something in more detail or whiteboarding out your reasoning. I think you will be surprised the clarity it will bring.

The post Show Your Work appeared first on Software for Good.

* Stuck in traffic? Do a little dance.
* Landed an excellent project? Do a little dance.
* Just removed gluten and dairy from your diet? Do a little dance.

Celebrate the moments that deserve it! Hell, celebrate the moments that don’t! You deserve that too!

Whether it’s a slight shimmy of the shoulders, a tap of your fingers, or the full out running man on the street corner. Own it! Take that time to enjoy yourself, whatever reason you might have.

And lastly, just dance.

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For me, this panel was a dream, as I got to sit down with three fellow changemakers who are passionate about using their careers to achieve good in the world. We each talked about our organizations, why we got into the work we do, and a few really big topics: fear, failure, and what makes a good leader.

To date, MiX has been my favorite panel. A few highlights:

When Joy King, Executive Director at Be The Match, was contacted about the job she currently holds, she wasn’t looking for a change. But then her father got sick, and she realized that she could make her life’s work about helping people like her dad.

Ravi Norman, CEO at Thor Construction, said leadership comes more from inspiration, then motivation. If you do the work because you’re passionate about the mission, you will be a better leader.

Tyler Van Eps, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Matter, talked candidly about passion and how it drives his projects.

And me? I talked about not letting your fears hold you back, and using your superpowers for good.

Four very different organizations, all with leaders who are finding ways to use their day jobs to affect change. Honestly, these conversations hit me right in the feels. It’s inspiring to hear from others who share my passion for social good. And knowing there are other organizations, like Software for Good, that are working tirelessly for positive change in a variety of industries—well, it gives me hope that even more companies will begin to move beyond the traditional for-profit or nonprofit structure to achieve significant social or environmental impact.

A big thanks to our moderator, Jim Delaney, for asking some thought-provoking questions. Thanks for the rest of the panelists for an inspiring discussion. And thanks to MiX, Brave New Workshop, and Minneapolis Downtown Council for hosting a truly good event.

The post Great Conversations Around Good: Minneapolis MiX Panel appeared first on Software for Good.

This week I encourage you to do something that scares you. Maybe instead of avoiding a spider or killing it, let it hang out nearby or bring it outside. Maybe you’re not afraid of spiders, but you’re afraid of people who are different from you. This week, get to know someone different from you or strike up a conversation with someone to whom you wouldn’t usually talk.

By opening up your mind and facing your fears, you may find something amazing that you would have missed out on otherwise.

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As a cisgender straight white woman, I realize I am late to the party in making my voice heard. In many ways, my actions have been subpar. I have been a bystander who occasionally shares or writes political posts on social networks. I have embarrassingly signed petitions and immediately forgotten about them five minutes later. It’s unfortunate that it had to get to this point for me to act, but it’s not too late. I am here now!

The Women’s March was the largest political protest in U.S. History currently estimated between 3.2 million and 4.7 million people. The march in St. Paul has been estimated at 100,000 marchers. Amazingly there was only one arrest, which ended up being a counter-protester. Why is that? Well, the majority of marchers were women, and of those women the majority were white. As a white woman, I know I am privileged mostly to be seen as harmless and not a threat.

So what’s next? If you recognize your privilege, then exercise your empathy. I am going to ask those of you who have the privilege to march on the street safely to rise up and stand next to indigenous people, women of color, immigrants, the disabled, and the LGBTQ community. These communities have been rising up for years, decades, and even centuries.

Now is the time to get involved!

• Call or write your senators.
• Donate your time and money to organizations focused on social justice, climate change, healthcare, or any other issues that are at risk of or are currently being suppressed.
• Use your eyes, ears, and voice.
• Watch what is happening in your communities, expand your social networks to include people that don’t have your privilege.
• Listen to those not being heard, and I mean REALLY listen.
• Use your voice and privilege when it’s needed.

Lastly, I will leave you with a song from the play Hamilton. The song “My Shot” in many ways embodies the movement that is currently happening in our country today. This is what democracy looks like!

“Rise up!
When you’re living on your knees, you rise up
Tell your brother that he’s gotta rise up
Tell your sister that she’s gotta rise up”

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Hard work: Like most kids born in the earlier 1900s Helen grew up on a farm. The farm had an apple orchard, cow pasture, vegetable & flower gardens, and livestock. When my grandfather was drafted to go fight in World War II as a nurse, my Grandma went to go work in the factory. She loved this time and found it very empowering.

Make your own: My grandmother made lots of things; clothing, quilts, hand towels, wines, jellies, breads, pies & canned veggies. There is a great amount of pride to be had in making things on your own.

Love for the earth: Whether is was going for her daily afternoon walk, sitting in a lawn chair with a cup of coffee, or leaving out food scraps for the birds and squirrels. Grandma loved and respected the beauty of nature.

Surround yourself with good people: Grandma always had visitors, some were people you knew and others were new friends. She loved hearing people’s stories and sharing her own.

This week I challenge you to reflect on what Grandma, Grandpa or another senior role model would do. I like to think if Grandma were still alive I could learn and share so much more from her. Thanks Grandma for being a strong role model!

The post What would Grandma Do? appeared first on Software for Good.

Each week we bring our garbage & recycling to the curb. We donate our clothes. We spend time in traffic, on Facebook, or sitting on the couch watching Netflix.

Do we consciously know what the impact this consumption has on our lives? Or our wallets? Or even more importantly the planet?

This week I challenge you to reflect on why you are consuming what you are. Do some research to find out what happens to your garbage and recycling when it leaves your curb. Find out where your drinking or bottled water comes from. Ask what will happen to your clothes when it is donated. Track how much time you are spending in the car, on Facebook or watching Netflix.

You might be surprised at what you learn.

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