The latest Fortune magazine has a list of the Smartest People in Tech, they listed 50, starting with Steve Jobs. Also on the list was IDEO's Diego Rodriguez, who has written the inspiring Metacool blog for years (Don't miss his innovation principles on the right side of his blog). I was delighted to see Diego on the list because we are friends and he has helped me in many ways over the year.(he got me started on both blogging and the twittering thing). But I was also delighted because, after seeing him in action at IDEO for over a decade (off and on, he went to Harvard Business Business school and did a stint at Intuit), first as young engineer and now as a partner and founder of their business design discipline. I also taught a class at the d.school with Diego called Creating Infectious Action the first year the Stanford d.school was open.
I have him watched him grow into one of the most imaginative and practical people in the innovation world. Diego's ability to understand design and business, and their intersection, at such a high level constantly amazes me -- he takes design principles (often with his own twist) such "the mind of a child," "build to think," "prototype until you puke," and "failure sucks but instructs" and then applies them to hardcore business problems -- strategy, organizational design, the CEO's role in a company, performance metrics for innovation -- that are both new and at the same time reflect the practical realities of running a business.
I am glad to hear this as it is nice pat on the back for Diego. I am also glad to hear it because it is a nice reflection on IDEO and the Stanford d.school. And I am also glad because Diego's success, like so many people I know, would not have been possible without David Kelley's amazing creative courage and vision, as in the process of founding and building IDEO and then the Stanford d.school, Diego is just one of many of us who have been taught and inspired by David, and benefited in more tangible ways too, from the the fruits of David's imagination (See this recent post on creative confidence for a bit more about David along with this older one on the inevitable messiness of innovative work).
Once again, congratulations to Diego.
One of the nice things about social networking on the Internet is the feeling that - while we don't really know each other - we can still learn from each other in a way that feels almost personal. I have learned so much from your blog and Diego's that I feel I know you ... and therefore I would like to add my congratulations to Diego on his recognition and to you for your Good Boss Bad Boss book. Well deserved, keep up the great blogging!
Posted by: Andy Nash | July 12, 2010 at 01:41 AM