The longer I work in technology, the less convinced I am that there’s one right way to do things. Here are a few ideas I’ve changed my mind about over the years.
I used to think technical writing was about accuracy. While accuracy is important, clarity is more important. The most useful explanation is often the one that took the longest to write.
Not because the technology was made simple, but because someone spent the time to understand what actually mattered.
I used to think credibility came from knowing everything. It turns out asking good questions is often more valuable.
The best conversations I have had usually started with curiosity.
I used to focus on what products could do. Now I spend much more time thinking about what changes for the people using them.
Features matter, but the outcomes are what people will remember.
Earlier in my career I measured success by attendance and engagement. Today I care much more about whether people feel comfortable contributing.
A smaller community where people participate is often more meaningful than a larger one where everyone stays quiet.
I used to think documentation was one and done. Now I know it's much more fluid. Every question someone asks is a chance to improve it.
I’m sure there will be more additions to this page as time goes on. And I’m sure I’ll keep seeing these ideas a little differently too.