In praise of old truths

One of the many memorable moments of this week's historic inauguration was this part of President Obama's speech:

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths.

New challenges and new tools, with a return to old foundations.

I would say the same thing about creating good experience. Especially in the technology field, every week brings a new trend, a shiny new gadget, and new language to talk about it all. People call it "innovation," and it's good and necessary to keep moving forward. But it's not the whole picture.

If we want to do good work, we have to stand on old ground. To truly succeed, the new, the shiny, and the innovative all depend on old - I'd even say ancient - truths.

• Empathy for the other. (User, customer, visitor, patient, student, etc.)

• Genuine intent to create something good. (Not simply to turn a quick buck.)

• Long-term commitment.

• Integrity of vision. (As opposed to opportunistic trend-hopping.)

• Respect for past learnings, no matter their age.

These are truths that undergird all good experience work. In some cases, even the old tools can endure as the right choice. (ASCII text editor, anyone?)

But I'm personally looking forward to this season of new things, that will bring change - even as we "return to these truths." Here's to hope.

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See also: Learning customer experience from a cowboy

• Jan 22, 2009
• IN: Customer Experience
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