I bet you’re a tech enthusiast and have a curious mind! I hope you find this story relatable and transformative. It’s about a veteran software engineer whose journey towards creating exceptional software took an unusual but crucial detour—through conversations with real people. In other words, talking to the ones who actually *use* the software!
The Journey of a Code Guru
It’s me. That’s right. I was dedicated to programming language syntax, hardware platforms, optimized algorithms, and rational data structures. For years I practiced building programs with the mechanical precision of a Swiss watchmaker. I was convinced that if my code was perfect, the software would be too.
Over time, I had a chance to work alongside UX (User Experience) professionals. Watching them work, and hearing about their human-centered studies, created a shift in my approach. I internalized that building software wasn't just a technical puzzle, it was a human puzzle.
In other words, I build software for other people to use.
The Aha Moment: Talking to Humans
The catalyst for this change was a gem of a book called "Talking to Humans" by Giff Constable. This book isn't a coding manual. It's a guide to understanding customers in a genuine way, filled with insightful tactics for conducting productive interviews and creating customer personas.
In a nutshell, "Talking to Humans" advises that the only way to build something people will love is to talk to the people who will use it. It equips you with methods for conducting interviews, strategies for unbiased listening, and frameworks for deriving meaningful insights.
One of the quotes that impressed my greatly came from page 38:
"Humans are spectacularly bad at predicting their future behavior....It is more effective to ask your interview subject to share a story about the past."
Forget asking users, "Would you like feature X or Y?" or "How often will you use this app?" Instead, the trick lies in asking open-ended questions that allow the interviewee to dig deep into their experiences. For example, "Tell me about the last time you needed to do [a valuable task that your software helps with]." These narratives often reveal unexpected, but incredibly valuable insights into their real needs, pain points, and behaviors.
This is gaining empathy for users. Understanding how they think, feel, operate in the world.
A Transformation
Post-page-38, I took a keen interest in sitting in on user interviews. The more I heard real stories from real people, the more my approach to software development evolved. No longer was I solely focused on creating error-free code; I was determined to deliver meaningful solutions.
To my surprise, these conversations made me not just a better computer programmer, but a more empathetic human being.
Armed with UX personas rooted in actual interviews, my software started solving problems I hadn't even known existed. My products weren't just functional; they were desirable. It turns out, users don’t just want software that works—they want software that understands them.
Why Start-up Founders and Intrapreneurs Need to Chat with Users Early On
Here’s a lesson learned for start-up founders and daring souls spearheading innovative projects within larger enterprises. The journey to launching an exciting new product is exhilarating, nerve-wracking, and a rush like no other. You've got this great idea, and you can't wait to dive right into building the solution. But resist the temptation to start blasting code!
The Power of Early Conversations
Before you write a single line of code or sketch out your first mockup, let's talk about an invaluable practice: speaking to real people. That's right, it's not just product managers, marketing, sales, and UXers who need to pay attention to user interviews. Highly engaged software developers, you, too, should prioritize conversations with potential customers or internal stakeholders. People who will be using or benefiting from your innovation.
The theme here is validation. You need to know early on that your proposed solution is viable, feasible, usable, and desirable. Skip this step, and you could end up months—or years—down the line with a product no one wants or needs.
Pattern Recognition for Success
Here's a guiding principle from pages 11-12 of "Talking to Humans":
"You are looking for clues that help confirm or deny your assumptions. ... you want to look for patterns that will help you make better decisions. Those decisions should lead to action, and smart action is what you need for success."
Obvious wisdom, isn't it? Many skip this step at their own risk.
Your early conversations will be full of subtle cues and clues that can either validate your assumptions or send you back to the drawing board. That's a good thing! If nine out of ten people say they wouldn't use a particular feature, that's a pattern. If multiple stakeholders express concern about the implementation of a certain aspect of the project, take note. These are not stumbling blocks; they're stepping stones to refinement and success.
Driving Action and Decisions
The goal is not just to gather data but to use this data to make smart, actionable decisions. You're not collecting stories for an anthology; you're gathering insights for strategy. Make sure you're translating those interviews and observations into tweaks to your business model, pivots in your product features, or even bold moves like pursuing an entirely different target market.
So there you have it, pioneers of the new age! Your biggest asset isn't just your ability to build; it's your ability to listen, adapt, and act. Don't get so wrapped up in the excitement of creation that you forget the purpose behind it. After all, you're not just building a product; you're building a solution to someone's problem.
Start scheduling those interviews, and let the wisdom of your people influence your work.
Capture the Magic with Empathly: The Future of UX Personas
Before you dash off to schedule those enlightening user interviews, let me introduce you to Empathly—the modern rethink of UX Personas. I think you're going to want this tool in your user research arsenal. Built specifically for tech-savvy folks like you, Empathly allows you to capture research, visualize data, and foster seamless collaboration among your team. Say goodbye to disconnected data and hello to a unified understanding of who you're building for.
With Empathly, you're not just creating products; you're cultivating empathy and awareness throughout your entire organization. Make your research efforts count. Give Empathly a try and revolutionize the way you understand your users!
Time to Get Real!
So, here's my call to action for all you software developers out there: Step out from behind that proverbial computer screen! Talk to the humans who use your software. Understand their needs, their frustrations, and their dreams. Believe me, your software will only be better for it.
You've mastered JavaScript, Python, C#, and maybe even a bit of Generative AI just for fun. Now, it's time to master the language of human experience. Your code—and your users—will thank you.
