Tools create culture as they limit, enforce or accelerate certain behaviors and values.

I'd like to share an interesting observation from my recent work experience that sheds light on what I call "Tool Culture" - the subtle ways our choice of tools reflects and shapes our thinking processes.

Last week, after a meeting with Jörgen, I instinctively created a MIRO board to visualize the WWXD architecture. This week, following a discussion with Jeroen, I found myself setting up a TRELLO board for the Podcast deployment. It wasn't until I was halfway through that I realized I was doing essentially the same thing - organizing information - but in distinctly different ways.

The same goes for continuous copy-pasting from Powerpoint to Keynote and vice versa. Grrrr.

Is this frustrating repetition, or an enlightening insight?

Trello, with its column-based layout and draggable "stories," is all about structure. It provides a clear overview, allowing for easy organization and "snap to grid" functionality. It's a tool that thrives on order and linear thinking.

Miro, on the other hand, often looks like a beautiful mess. It's a canvas for creating clusters of related ideas, emphasizing patterns and insights rather than rigid structure. It's less about overview and more about uncovering connections.

Digital copy of real world behavior? And vice versa?? This distinction mirrors what we see in physical brainstorming sessions. Some people meticulously align their post-it notes in neat columns, categorizing ideas to create structure and overview. Others shuffle their notes around, clustering thoughts to reveal patterns and generate insights.

Toolculture

This small example of Tool Culture highlights how our choice of tools isn't just about functionality - it's a reflection of our thinking styles and problem-solving approaches. It's a reminder that each tool serves a unique purpose, has distinct design principles and (im)possibilities. Understanding these nuances can lead to more effective collaboration and problem-solving.

BYOT: Bring Your Own Tool

This insight came from a simple act of "learning by doing", "understanding by sharing." It's a testament to the value of reflection in our daily work practices. Yet, now let's act upon these insights and make some choices? Or is that a drive towards senseless efficiency and is Bring Your Own Tool a better step, embracing diversity??