There is the tendency to dumb down things until you have what everyone can tolerate and no one really wants. You know, you do not go to GM for the greatest automobile. They have a lot of talent there. The trouble is they have a compromise mentality. I prefer to go through multiple iterations of design in a non-compromising way.

For example, Gail and I see things quite differently and often disagree. We used to work together a lot. We had some rules about resolving conflict. We considered who had the strongest passion about the situation and who had the best track record. I would rather go with an idea with which I disagree but that is powerful than take a compromise. Group process is often used for compromise. Compromise has nothing to do with collaboration. It is just trading off a lesser solution. You are using what is broken because a better idea does not prevail. If you have a situation that cannot be resolved, get it out into the market place and test it.

It is violent to force a person out of their position or to take their work and compromise it, dumb it down. Those things are wrong and not necessary. Get into the design process further. Have it vigorous and full of feedback, and testing. If you are in that early, you have time to find out how that is working. We are going into a knowledge economy. If someone stole your car, you would object. Your mind is your property, too.

We need to create an environment of respect for these gifts. Because you and I do not agree, it does not mean either of us are wrong. It is irrelevant. What works and what I can learn form the difference is interesting.

If compromise is followed, people will feel better in the short term but worse in the long term, because it will not work. People need to understand that everything does not have to be resolved now. What do you REALLY need to come to an understanding about--just the next step. This should be in the context of the long term. You do not have to solve it all right now. You do not have to come to theoretical understanding of everything. Dialogue and intellect and models are important. Do not waste the energy of yourself or your organization in theoretical debates. Use those as constructs to move forward. Is this good enough for now to move us to the next level of experience? The next level of experience will give us more information about our model.

Agreement and consensus is overrated. It does not have much to do with teamwork. Teamwork is defined by if everyone plays, if all ideas got out, if everyone made the commitment to the team. The commitment the team makes to the individual is to respect that person's contribution.

(co-design cont.)

000706.Matt Taylor