fiduciary vs strategist

Am I fiduciary or a business strategist?

(my low empathy reaction) Sorry, I cannot be both. I’ve tried over the years and have burned out emotionally and spiritually trying to juggle hearts and gold bricks. Trying to be both will eventually end in a compromise that typically hurts the end user, our intimate relationships, the community, our culture, and our shared living environment. As I’ve dug deeper into a few certifications and licenses that require fiduciary responsibilities, I’ve come to realize that many UX researchers and designers have been asked to compromise user needs in order to fulfill business quotas and revenue goals. Insert all of the productivity posters and Wolf of Wall Street sales kickoff meetings that scream….”I must be fucking productive! (or else)”

As a designer, I’ve boiled people down into personas (yes, I meant to make that a bit gruesome), extracted attention and money through slick UIs, and made people addicted to the “solutions” I’ve created. I’ve been a solutionists, strategists, and good business battery. I’ve been these things because I was taught this through schooling, by my peers, my bosses, by media, and all the industries I’ve happen to work in. I must be productive! I can hear the strong retort about businesses needing to survive and that we need to keep people employed, but I would counter, “…at what cost?” At the cost of our humanity? At the cost of our environment? Our collective joy?

What is a fiduciary?

A fiduciary is expected to be extremely loyal to the person to whom he owes the duty (the “principal”): he must not put his personal interests before the duty, and must not profit from his position as a fiduciary, unless the principal consents.

ChatGPT

So what does a fiduciary look like in capitalism?

Typically we see fiduciaries in law, financial planning, between boards and shareholders, and between trustees and trust beneficiaries. Looking at this short list, it seems as if fiduciaries are typically positioned towards wealthy endeavors in order to protect wealth and generate more of it. What if we redefined wealth not solely around money, but around our shared humanity? Is that too woke for you or the masses, too soft and cuddly? Meh… What about this?

• Business leaders as fiduciaries to their customers?
• Politicians as fiduciaries to their constituents?
• Doctors as fiduciaries to their patients?
• Teachers as fiduciaries to their students?
• Intimate partners as fiduciaries to their partners?

Doesn’t sound so woke and squishy now now, huh!?! I want all of these things and I am guessing you do too.

So, how to become a fiduciary in life?

My higher empathy response to being a fiduciary and strategist at the same time. Realize that it will always be a juggle AND that the parties involved need to communicate and respect the juggling that each other are attempting to do.

1. Adopt the PLATINUM RULE = Treat others the way they want to be treated.
2. Work on becoming more open and seen by a few close friends, partners, and relatives…that don’t have fur or tails. Go deeper in the typical, “How are you doing?” conversation.
3. At work, be honest about your fiduciary alliances and the metrics of success that you are responsible for. If it’s mixed between fiduciary and business strategist, explore how you and the team might honor these two roles without adverse compromise and burnout.