A need for principles in a world gone mad

In uncertain times, clarity around personal values is more important than ever

I have spent 20+ years in the intersection of technology and design, a career that is predicated on improving our clients’ businesses and improving people’s lives. It has been incredibly satisfying work, and I’ve been blessed to do it alongside a diverse group of some of the smartest and kindest people from around the globe. Lately, I’ve been disheartened by events that are in sharp contrast with the beliefs and values that I hold dear. These recent decisions and developments, backed by blatant distortion of facts, are disturbing and contrast unfavorably with what’s needed to do great design and innovation work. Inflammatory and populist messages are winning minds and votes around the globe, while a commitment to critical thinking, empathy and facts seem to be falling by the wayside. This creates an urgent need to stand up for our values that are so clearly at risk.

I’ve never cared very much about or had much involvement in politics. But I do believe in the need for clarity around personal values, especially when trying to navigate through trying times. This post is simply a public commitment to beliefs, in both my personal life and in the career I love so much.

I’ve spent the last 16 years as founder and leader at Fjord, helping it grow from a three-person company into the global leader in design and innovation that it is today. As the best, most enduring design project of my life, it has been crucial to consider the culture we need to create and the values we need to live in order to attract and retain the best team, generate the best work, positively shape our clients’ businesses and make the world a better place.

In business and in life, I have a few simple core beliefs. Let’s start with what I don’t believe in:

· Insular and narrow-minded thinking.

· Trivializing and categorizing people or nations into good or bad.

· The notion that we must go back in time to move forward.

· Populistic glorification of a mythical past. Whether you look 30, 100, or 500 years back, a clear majority of people have significantly better life prospects and opportunities today than in those “good old times.” I would not want to posture that everyone is better off today. But most individuals in most nations have better standards of living and better prospects today than in the past. Glorifying what is behind us will not help shape a better future.

I also believe it’s futile to deny the reality of globalization, so trying to shut ourselves off (whether through closed borders, metaphorical or physical wall building, discrimination, etc.) is a flawed approach to business and life.

On the other hand, I strongly believe in people’s ability to use their intellect and creativity to solve problems and shape a better future. I’m personally motivated by this.

I also believe we’re only as good as the sum of our parts. In isolation, we accomplish very little.

And I’m a passionate believer in the innovation potential of multi-disciplinary and diverse teams. As Stephen Johnson articulated convincingly in his book Where Good Ideas Come From, the most significant breakthrough ideas over many centuries — the ones that have improved people’s lives in the private and public sector and have created significant commercial and societal value — have emerged from collaborative team settings. The best ideas have not come — contrary to popular myth — from a sole brilliant individual nor from insular, small thinking. They’ve come from settings where ideas are iterated and then combined with other ideas.

I will always remain committed to nurturing and testing good, innovative ideas in a collaborative setting, with cross-functional teams. In increasingly diverse and multicultural societies, this is how we will come up with the next transformative idea, invent and shape new services, and how we will continue to positively impact people and the world. This is also why last summer, when Fjord celebrated its 15th anniversary, we decided to refresh our value set. To continue to do what we do at the scale that we do it, it’s crucial to have a shared set of values that guide our work and behavior. We came up with two key values: Boldness and Generosity.

Our clients want — and expect — big impact. We need to have a bold point of view, always, and we need to ensure whatever solution we offer has a significant impact for our clients and their customers. We also need to be bold enough to happily face the unknown with a sense of adventure.

But a key realization for us was that boldness is only possible and enabled by generosity — that means, empathy, collaboration and transparency. If you’re not in a transparent, collaborative and empathetic setting, it’s very difficult — and rather intimidating — to be bold.

Generosity, a prerequisite for boldness, has become a rallying cry for us at Fjord. And while I certainly don’t expect every Fjordian to share the same views on politics and policy, I do expect them to act with a sense of generosity toward their colleagues, their clients, and society.

In my own view, generosity also includes aiding those in need. To use populist excuses to turn your back on the worst current humanitarian disasters on the planet and turn away those most desperately in need of generosity is a moral collapse.

At a time of confusion and instability, I feel lucky that Fjord is now part of Accenture — a global firm that has very clear and strong perspectives on values and ethics. Accenture will always attempt to act in the best interests of its very global and increasingly diverse workforce.

As a leader of Fjord and Accenture, I will always aim to work within the prevailing rules and regulations. But my personal values and beliefs will naturally also guide and inform my instincts and decisions. In a world of polarized views, they will offer me clear guidance. I’m confident it will help ensure we will be known for enduring and positive impact, regardless of the political, economic, or societal tremors around us.