E V E N T R E C A P
1 Year Celebration
+ Designing for Connection
1. Designing for Connection
Sylvie started the workshop by asking, "What makes you feel connected to others?" She then shared a few "Design conditions" for connection—vulnerability being one of them. Sylvie explained that the key to vulnerability isn't the "sharer," it's the "receiver." How the receiver listens and responds will determine whether meaningful connection is made.
Attendees each filled out a series of personal questions:
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What is home to you? Why do you consider it "home"?
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What's a challenge in your life that you overcame? How did you manage to overcome it?
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What have you dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it yet?
Then each attendee shared their responses and stories with their table while their table-mates practiced applying the principles for receiving.
After the conversations, attendees reported feeling "heard," "inspired," "recharged," and "connected." It was a great way to highlight what the HCD Lab is all about!
Takeaway:
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A "vulnerability loop" is formed when one person sends a signal of vulnerability, another person detects the signal and responds by signaling their own vulnerability, the first person reciprocates, and a norm is established of being vulnerable with one another.
Reflections on Year 1 of the HCD Lab
To read a more polished version of Evan's reflections and the story of the HCD Lab, click here.
2. "Unexpected Expertise"
To help bridge the gap between people, we did a quick activity. Each person considered a non-work-related thing that they are an expert in—the more unexpected the better. Some examples were:
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Doing handstands
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Organizing the dishes and silverware in the dishwasher
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Walking down stairs quickly
Each person then drew a badge, much like a Boy/Girl Scout merit badge. This served as something people could ask one another about to more easily form connections during the reception.
Takeaways:
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Expertise isn't only work-related. We are all experts of many things. Getting to know one another on a personal level is often deeper than on a professional level.
3. Celebration Reception
To commemorate the 1 year milestone and foster further connections, the event ended with food and refreshments. What an end to an incredible year!
I appreciated being able to meet interesting, earnest people in a fun, safe space.
The exercise was so nice and my brain felt like it took a warm bath.
I enjoyed getting to connect with folks from this community that I hadn't met before—familiar faces but new connections.