Carmichael

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Things I Believe

By Tom Carmichael

Dont stress people out.

  • Users will shun stressful apps.
  • Stress hides in noise, complexity and quantity.
  • Clever is not always better.
  • AI has potential to reduce stress factors.

Trust is better than speed.

  • Speed works before you gain trust. Trust is then maintained by quality.
  • Use speed and feedback to align with user expectations.
  • Authenticity builds trust.
  • Don't trick the audience.
  • Own mistakes and misunderstandings.

Complexity requires permanent focus and attention.

  • Put in the hours, but get something back.
  • Iteratively focus in and out.
  • Small teams can focus, big teams can't.

Trust erodes through miscommunication.

  • Get to the point, lead with the answer.
  • Leaders provide clarity and assurance when absent
  • Listen twice as much as you talk.
  • Mismatched expectations lead to conflict.

Leadership means owning outcomes beyond the org chart

  • Influence is more important than titles.
  • Leaders have to do the work themselves and delegate
  • Managers >< Leaders.

Work and hobbies can coexist.

  • Lean into your curiosity
  • A job becomes a passion when you care about the outcome.

Always try to assume good intent

  • Lead with empathy and understanding.
  • Give people reasonable time and space.
  • Criticism is good feedback if you listen unemotionally