Yesterday I read an article on Australia's ABC News website titled New data shows Australians hold intense dislike for Elon Musk which really got me thinking (although not about that actual topic!).
What really piqued my interest was the poll data, which shows that a surprising 16% of respondents have never heard of Bill Gates - the founder of Microsoft! Even more surprising is that 20% have never heard of Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.
Seriously?! Having worked in IT and digital for over 30 years, this floored me. These are household names in my professional world, yet it appears there's a significant portion of the Australian population who remain unaware of them. Who are these people?! 😂
In all seriousness, what this really demonstrates is the pitfalls of assumption. You know that saying about "assume makes an ass out of u and me?" We often assume that our audience shares the same knowledge and perspectives that we do. However, the reality can be quite different.
Design Thinking teaches us to challenge assumptions. The best technology professionals I've ever met, never assume. Engaging directly with our stakeholders will always produce better outcomes, by better understanding needs, experiences and knowledge levels. Many of the poor technology-based solutions I've seen over the years have been a direct result of incorrect assumptions about what people really want/need.
As professionals, it's crucial to remember that our expertise doesn't always translate to universal understanding. It's really important to take the time to listen, observe, and truly get to know our audience. Only then can we bridge the gap between assumption and reality.
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