Sunday, 9:30am, Continental Ballroom
As IA and UX professionals, we’re increasingly called on to work collaboratively, lead cross-functional teams, spearhead projects with diverse sets of stakeholders, and to help our companies deliver ever-increasing value to customers and shareholders. But really, beyond these HR and corporate buzzwords, how does anyone stay sane without turning into a multi-headed hydra? How can we stay effective, be engaged and create great work in an environment that is ever changing and in constant flux?
Fortunately, there are lessons to be learned by expanding our horizons into our own back yard. Say hello to slime mold, an organism that has spent the last few million years evolving a powerful set of survival techniques that are wonderfully relevant for people grappling in shifting organizational environments. For years, biologists, botanists, media moguls, artists, authors and technologists have been captivated by the sophistication and tenacity of slime mold lifecycle and behaviors, and its ability to morph from plant to animal, to complete complex mazes, and help robots detect light.
This fascinating life form holds intriguing lessons for today’s knowledge worker…from sensing and responding to environments that become hostile to using the power of signals to create alignment and collective action. In this fast-moving and fun romp through the kingdom of myxomycetes, you’ll learn a set of practical tips and tools for surviving, thriving and doing your best work in even the toughest of environments.
INSTRUCTOR
Kate Rutter
Kate Rutter is an Experience Designer at Adaptive Path. During her 15 years in the web industry, she’s worked with corporations, startups, and nonprofit organizations to help them grow, change and successfully chart new paths in ambiguous times and shifting markets. Clients include Greenpeace, Travel + Leisure, Citysearch, Dice.com, Globo Networks, and Nokia.
Kate attended Wellesley College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in studio art. She finds inspiration in a wide variety of subjects: Semiotics, textile arts, slime mold, origami, code, urban design, fire, and other dangerous things. She is an active community leader as well as a formidable welder.