Hi, I’m Steven.
I tell stories and guide teams to solve problems through human-centered design.
This website will show you a few examples of what that means. I have a sister website, IDspiration, where I write regularly. I occasionally dive into random rabbit holes, but the content there typically hovers around the intersection of culture, design (systems), and psychology. Specifically, I love writing about EQ, leadership modeling, and the value of stretching our comfort zones.
BIO IN 3 BULLETS
- I’ve worked in 5 countries on 5 continents; currently in Tokyo by way of Virginia, California, New York, Dubai, Amsterdam and São Paulo.
- Most of my work has focused on digital innovation (although I believe human-centered design can & should be applied anywhere on the org chart).
- I’ve traveled to about 75 countries and flown more than 2.7 million miles (4.4 million km). I still stare out the window for every takeoff and landing (and silently judge people who close the shade while we’re below the clouds).
I GEEK OUT ON
- Don Norman (“A challenge to the designers of the world: Make signs unnecessary” 🤯).
- Harold and the Purple Crayon (yes, my all-time favorite book was written for 5-year-olds) & other children’s books.
- Reframing problems (we so often scramble for technical optimizations without exploring psychological solutions that often turn out better).
- EQ is the most valuable yet least recruited skill in the working world.
- Fluency in human-centered design is as valuable as any kind of language (programming or otherwise).
- Failing a business, getting fired from a job, being stranded abroad or facing some similar adversity will make anyone’s life richer by virtue of stretching their comfort zones.
Thank you for stopping by. Leave your email address below to get some occasional interesting thoughts from me, or drop me a line to connect!
