Paint Your Own Picture
According to the Guggenheim foundation's website, Frank Lloyd Wright (architect of their New York City building) wanted visitors to experience this fantastic museum's exhibitions of modern and contemporary art starting from the top floor as a stroll down the spiral ramp. However, on Saturday, when I visited with my husband and son, several levels were closed due to renovations for new exhibitions. Discounted tickets enabled us and many others to enjoy art regardless, but it felt off even though the limited accessible galleries were exceptional and thought-provoking. I can't wait to return to get the whole experience, cashing in on an offer to deduct the price of our tickets Saturday.
When employee experiences are similarly a bit off, we might not have the luxury of a do-over. You may not even realize they're missing something, so I as a designer owe it to you to optimize the environment, tools, techniques, and support provided. Providing engaging content should lead to an independent study self-guided by you, invested deeply in your own development. How can I motivate and guide you in the spirit of a avant-garde artists wildly passionate about their craft?
Let me return to the museum for inspiration. I'm intrigued that many of the exciting artists represented in the Guggenheim's collection of vanguard 1960s paintings cared less about making beautiful pictures (although I do find them stunning) and more about the process, such as how color creates space or how paint moves on a canvas. Robert Ryman, for example, exposed to abstract art through his job as a security guard at New York's Museum of Modern Art, confined his work to only white paint. He claimed that wasn't his intention; that's just what happened. And isn't that often the way in all facets of life? Go with the flow.
Works for me. As it turned out, it wasn't such a bad thing for us to leave the museum early after we saw all we could; a snowstorm quickly turned our travel home hazardous. The highways were slippery despite the deicer treatments applied by an imposing plow ahead of us on our journey. Off ramps were treacherous, and I was glad when we arrived home safely to let the snow continue throughout the night, beautifully blanketing our yard. I like snow in this context.
Maximizing the employee journey is not unlike ensuring the on, and off-ramp of a highway remains cleared for safe travel. Responding quickly to changing conditions ensures relevancy. Acknowledging the ubiquitous use of tools influencing work life can't hurt either. And, focusing on the effort, not the final result, is also a useful strategy for employee development. Let's hope organizations make it possible for all employees to paint the town red or whatever color they want.