The Ethics of Quality with Gwen Iarussi (a PNSQC Live Blog)

I'm back. I spent the morning moderating the Management, Leadership & People track, so I wasn't able to do that and live blog like I normaly do but let's suffice it to say that Sophia McKeever (Quality With Hearts Aligned - Bolstering Your Quality with Emotional Intelligence), Heather Wilcox (Is the 'Iron Triangle' Dead?) and Kristine O'Connor (Quality Intelligence: Embedding Customer Voice to Drive Agile Excellence) all did great jobs and if you get a chance to see their talks, do so :).

For the first session this afternoon, I get to see long time friend (and actual hirer of my consulting services during my stint in the wilderness) Gwen Iarussi discuss The Ethics of Quality

PNSQChronicles: The Ethics of Quality & Quality as a Living System with Gwen Iarussi

A great quote to start out this conversation is, "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should." (Dr. Ian Malcolm, Jurassic Park).  You may well remember this line and it is just as valid a warning about unchecked innovation. It's not enough to ensure a product "works". Additionally, we have a continued need to advocate for not just that something works, but that it works appropriately. We don't have the luxury of testing blindly and ignoring the possible impacts of our work and efforts. 

I remember back in the days of my Cisco Systems work life that the NetFlow protocol tracking software was developed. I was on the team that was ultimately codifying the "call record" or any and all internet data. I remember part of me was a little leery about what we were doing but I recall being told by one of the developers that, "if we don't develop this with our approach and methodology and ethics, then our competition will create it, and we will have no control over the ethics that they choose (or do not choose) to use."We can argue whether or not that was a good idea (we do of course have end to end tracking of all network data but we also have the ability to encrypt that data as well, so yin/yang, I guess ;) ).

My point with that last example may be seen as trivial today but part of me genuinely wondered if our efforts were being done in the appropriate place. At that time, I was young and unsure of my voice, so I just rolled with it. Today me would be less likely to do that, I'd want to ask a number of questions. Granted, I may not have been able to have modified or altered any of the outcomes, but I certainly would have been more direct and focused with my interactions and questions. I would have advocated for positions I felt we should represent.

Our tech environment today is getting even more fragmented and over the top. Speed of execution is taking precedence over the quality and ethics of what we are creating. We have all sorts of areas where the haves are taking advantage of the have nots through these systems, and it's very much by design. Let's not forget the fact that this age of AI and fast, ubiquitous tech is consuming land, fuel and water resources at an alarming rate. Much of the tech advances and buildout to host and serve it is not sustainable in the long term. At least not if we want to make sure that people have access to water, fuel, and food a few years from now.

Much of this comes down to accountability. How do we develop accountability and stand for what we want to see happen in our environments? How do we make our ethics more than just platitudes? By us building a culture of accountability, we are able to foster a culture of ethics and making considerations that go beyond merely speed and efficiency.

Ultimately, this all comes down to a quote that is attributed to Sitting Bull, "Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children". Ultimately, every good or bad decision we make may have an effect on us, but they will surely and certainly effect future generations. With this isn mind, I would absolutely say it would be in our best interests, including business interests, to be able to leave to our children a world and systems that have effective safeguards to prevent our actively destroying our environment, whatever and wherever those may be.

As a Constellation We Shine: Mentorship Through the Lens of Shine Theory with Sophia McKeever (A PNSQC Live Blog)

The traditional view of mentorship often paints a one-sided picture—an experienced mentor guiding a mentee, offering advice, and providing support. What if mentorship could be something more? In Sophia McKeever’s talk, “As a Constellation We Shine,” she explores how mentorship, when approached through the principles of Shine Theory, becomes a powerful two-way relationship where both mentor and mentee grow and thrive together.

At its core, mentorship is about growth. But too often, we think of that growth as a one-way transfer of knowledge, with the mentor imparting wisdom to a less experienced mentee. Shine Theory transforms this into a mutual exchange of knowledge, energy, and growth.

Shine Theory, coined by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, is the idea that “I don’t shine if you don’t shine.” In the context of mentorship, this means that both the mentor and the mentee invest in each other’s success. By supporting one another, both individuals flourish, creating a "constellation" of talent, insight, and progress that benefits not just the participants but their entire community.

When mentors and mentees mutually invest in each other, their relationship evolves into something far more enriching than a simple exchange of information. Shine Theory encourages both parties to approach the relationship with empathy and intent, focusing on how they can elevate one another.

For example, a mentor may share technical expertise and career advice, while the mentee offers fresh perspectives, creativity, and a deeper understanding of new technologies. Reciprocity ensures that both parties benefit, no matter their level of experience or their role within the industry.

Sophia shares several anecdotes of her own journey as a testament to the power of mutual investment. A self-taught SDET, she has navigated a dynamic career in tech, moving from customer service to key roles at Microsoft,  Apple, and now at Pokemon. Along the way, she has found that her most rewarding mentorship experiences were those where she could both teach and learn, growing alongside her mentees as they collaborated and supported one another.

When mentorship is approached through the lens of Shine Theory, it becomes more than just career development—it becomes a source of mutual enrichment and excitement. Sophia highlights several key ways Shine Theory can elevate mentorship:

Fostering a Growth Mindset: Both mentor and mentee approach the relationship with the mindset that they can learn from each other. This creates a more dynamic and creative exchange of ideas.

Building Empathy: Mentorship based on Shine Theory encourages empathy, as both individuals invest emotionally in the other’s success. This empathy fosters deeper connections and a stronger sense of community.

Celebrating Mutual Wins: When one person shines, both shine. Mentorship becomes less about individual achievements and more about shared success, creating a supportive environment where both mentor and mentee can thrive.

Breaking Down Hierarchies: Shine Theory shifts the traditional power dynamic of mentorship, making it less about hierarchy and more about collaboration. It doesn’t matter if one person has more experience or a higher title—both are equals in the relationship, learning and growing together.

Mentorship isn’t just about guiding someone along their career path. It’s about "creating a constellation", where both mentor and mentee shine together, contributing to each other’s success and elevating their collective potential. In today’s fast-paced tech world, where innovation and growth often come from unexpected places, this approach to mentorship is more relevant than ever. By embracing Shine Theory, mentors and mentees can build meaningful, two-way relationships that not only enhance their individual careers but also help to develop a more inclusive, supportive community.