Suggestions
Kurt Walecki
SVP Design and Emerging Markets, Intuit
Kurt Walecki is a dynamic individual recognized for his leadership in various domains such as people management, product development, business strategy, and design. He possesses a wealth of expertise in blending human factors with technological advancements to enhance user experiences. Walecki holds a Master of Science degree in Human Factors with a specialization in human-machine interaction from the University of Southern California, complemented by a Bachelor of Science in Human Development with a focus on cognitive science and organizational behavior from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Highlights
Hello Intuit peeps, I know yesterday was a toughie for ~1800 of you. As I have been through this transition (as I am guessing most of this LinkedIn-sphere has as well) I wanted to share a few thoughts that I have found useful to consider on you journey to the next exciting adventure.
- Reflect - a change such as separating from your company is a significant one. Thomas H. Holmes and Richard H. Rahe did their landmark study that defined the seminal "Social Readjustment Rating Scale." Their research found that seperating from your company is in the top 10 of life's stressful events. So take dedicated time everyday to process the change, thinking through all the past greatest hits and notable lumps that come to mind. I recommend you capture these thoughts and insights in a journal daily. Additionally, change up where you spend this dedicated time. Try spots that are quiet, close to nature, a favorite coffee shop, etc.
- Talk - it helps to talk about what you are feeling. Spend lots of time with friends, family, confidants, and use that Employee Assistance Program to find and meet with a counselor, talking helps process, hear new perspectives and strategies to move on.
- Your identity - while what we do and where we work defines a portion of your identity, you also have so very much more that defines who YOU are. Give time to thinking about what defines you. Are you a wife, husband, partner, mother, father, sister or brother, caretaker, etc? Think about your many amazing facets that make you YOU. Facets you define yourself as, for example: athlete, spiritual, hobbies, volunteer, etc. The point is - you are all so so so much more than your company!
- Your skills - you and your colleagues have accomplished, contributed, and impacted massive customer and commercial outcomes - be proud of what you have accomplished AND KNOW YOU WILL AGAIN.
- Breathe - take a deep breath (or better yet, focus on deep breathing exercises) and know this; this is a process and there is no defined time schedule or calendar to get past it. I see this change as somewhat analogous to the Five Stages of Bereavement defined by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. When you reflect, focus on happy and healthy areas that you control, and work through this - you will get to the "acceptance" phase when you're good and ready.
- Get social - spend time with friends and family, even if you may not feel like it, get out there and smile:-). People care more about you than you know, they provide diverse and meaningful perspectives that will help you process and ultimately, move on, and of course, laughing is the best medicine.
- Break frame - change it up. Bet on yourself. Take that trip of a lifetime now if at all possible. Get closer to those facets of your identity that may have been neglected. At some point you/we will all move beyond the past and focus on the future, realizing this situation provides you with the "gift of time."
Hugs!
We have an amazing Director of Design position open at Intuit QuickBooks! Great company, inspired creative community, and solving real customer problems that unleash small businesses around the world! At Intuit we obsess over our customers, apply AI and machine learning, and work together with our product managers, data scientists, and engineering team members. We do this everyday to innovate, create and release extraordinary product together.
