Technical Communicators: Breaking Boundaries and Driving Change

Andrea L. AmesTCUK 2015 Keynote – October 1, 2015

Your current safe boundaries

were once unknown frontiers

Boundaries

10. Think systems, not discrete events Everything is interrelated, and content is everywhere Be sure to consider what might result further down

the line

9. Do your homework To break the rules “well” and create art, understand

where the boundaries are and what defines them You will be better able to break through others’

boundaries, as well

8. Don’t say “that’s not my job” Practice professionalism in content—own it Own the entirety of the content experience—

strategy, design, development, delivery…

7. Be a consultant Don’t get too emotionally involved in your agenda Objectively tell your story with data and advise

6. Communicate, communicate, communicate Clearly articulate your agenda in the language of

your stakeholders Manage those stakeholders continually through

stories that further your agenda

Change…it’s gorgeous at the end

5. Acknowledge the result of not changing What will happen if you don’t? Will it be better or worse than changing?

4. Be willing to be uncomfortable Embrace ambiguity as a reality and a necessity Step outside your comfort zone

3. Stop fighting for the old; start building the new What if everything 10 years from now was exactly as

it is today? Would you be happy? Satisfied? Focus your energy productively

2. Be the change that you want to see Model the behavior to build trust around you Gather followers on the path to change

1. Recognize that change is a process, not an event It won’t happen on its own, and it’s often hard You must “practice” it consciously

The Top 10Boundaries10. Think systems, not discrete events9. Do your homework8. Don’t say “that’s not my job”7. Be a consultant6. Communicate, communicate, communicate

Change5. Acknowledge the result of not changing4. Be willing to be uncomfortable3. Stop fighting for the old; start building the new2. Be the change that you want to see1. Recognize that change is a process, not an event