At 30, I've spent over a decade unlearning what I thought others wanted me to be, and even what I thought I wanted to be.
I was a software engineer at Google, where I did well, getting promoted quickly and taking on significant responsibilities. However, something didn't feel right. I found true joy in roles that involved strategic communication, roles where I could inspire action and make a real impact. Whether it was raising awareness about police brutality, pointing out government hypocrisy, or highlighting the value of certain tech products, communication was where I thrived.
For a long time, I undervalued this skill, perhaps because it felt so natural to me, or because it wasn’t finance or engineering—which is what was seen as high status in college.
It's funny, isn't it, how we often overlook our innate talents, especially when we enjoy them so much? In the realm of communication, it's easy to dismiss it as trivial. In American culture, being a “communications major” is seen as the most cop-out major you can sign up for.
But at the level I operate, where I help coordinate geniuses, my ability to communicate strategically is crucial. It helps people see things more clearly and nudges them towards action. In a group of brilliant minds, a little push can lead to incredible collaborations and achievements.
Now, I see myself as a Strategic Scribe. I help these brilliant individuals articulate their thoughts, getting them down on paper for others to understand and act upon. It's about creating shared coherence and facilitating rapid decision-making.
Some might find the term 'scribe' antiquated or even laughable in our high-tech world. But a conversation with my buddy Mark made me realize the surprising power (and responsibility) of a scribe in the right room.
I'm increasingly embracing this role, recognizing it as a divine superpower. Scribes might not be the kind of role glorified in superhero movies, but to me, it's just as impactful.
I see myself in the role of a Strategic Scribe as a sensemaker and narrative illuminator, someone who helps a community or ecosystem see the bigger picture of the exciting narrative unfolding around us. My role involves distilling complex ideas and events into a coherent story that not only enlightens but also inspires collective action.
And my role extends beyond merely capturing ideas; I actively transform discussions into tangible design documents that serve as a catalyst for further development and action. By doing so, I bridge the gap between abstract concepts and concrete plans, enabling a group to engage, provide feedback, and iterate effectively. This process significantly accelerates our journey from ideation to execution, often shaving weeks off the time it would typically take to start building.
When a brilliant team lacks a Strategic Scribe, discussions, while intellectually stimulating, often fail to yield lasting progress. Without someone to crystallize these discussions into a shared sources of truth, ideas and decisions made within meetings tend to dissipate, leaving no tangible trace or forward momentum.
I'm proud to be a scribe, playing my part in shaping ideas and actions. It's not just about writing; it's about connecting thoughts, people, and actions in a way that moves us forward collectively. And in that, I find immense fulfillment and purpose.