Summary
In this provocative talk, Brendan encourages us to stop worrying about the future, recognize that we have what it takes to overcome any challenge, and work together to create a future that our field is worthy of. He shares three stories to illustrate these points, taking inspiration from science fiction, Japanese samurai, and the enduring impression of his late Grandfather. If you want to worry less about your career, see situations more clearly, and discover the most important question for DesignOps professionals to ask themselves today - don't miss this presentation.
Key Insights
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AI is fundamentally reshaping design craft and operations, making it urgent to redefine professional identities.
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Fear or resistance to AI can lead to professional obsolescence; proactive adaptation is key.
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Miyamoto Musashi’s distinction between the observing eye (objective facts) and perceiving eye (interpreting patterns) offers a useful lens for making sense of complex events in design.
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Separating what happens from what it means helps avoid reactive responses and supports innovation.
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Many aspects affecting careers, like AI impact and layoffs, are outside individual control; focus should be on how one responds.
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Regular self-reflection on one’s role, mindset, and narratives is essential during uncertain times.
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Adversity is an inevitable human condition; the key is to face it with resilience and humor rather than resigning to defeat.
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Stories and metaphors—from sci-fi to samurai to personal history—can deepen understanding and inspire design practitioners.
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Collective community spaces, like summits and conversations, are vital for orienting design ops practice and futures.
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Holding a growth mindset preserves energy for seeking innovative opportunities rather than being consumed by fear.
Notable Quotes
"AI is already fundamentally changing how design is done and will significantly shape design ops."
"Will we be copilots or cabin crew? The smell of fear is in the air."
"Fair is a choice and we have much better ones to make if we can just bring them into focus."
"What does it mean to be a design ops person? We need to keep that question alive."
"The observing eye sees things as they are; the perceiving eye looks beneath the surface to find patterns."
"Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us. What matters is how we choose to respond."
"Adversity is part of the human condition; it’s how we face it that gives life greater meaning."
"We don’t have to let this get on top of us. We can choose what it means to be a design ops person."
"Any of us being alive on this planet together right now is a statistical miracle."
"Our capacity to respond creatively and courageously is as real as the challenges we face."
Or choose a question:
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