I AM

Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of visiting a design class to give feedback to students on their final projects. One of the students had created a short video to advertise his idea for improving students’ experience on campus. He called his idea I AM.

It’s simple really. He suggested that the campus community don a button (think a quirky campaign badge from the 1970s) that reads “I AM _______.” Each of us fills in the blank, sharing something about ourselves that our students and colleagues probably don’t know, sparking conversation with people and around issues on which we may never otherwise connect.

Some of the video “I AMs” included “I AM Colorful,” “I AM 40,” and I AM Alone,” and “I AM Creative.” The descriptions were diverse and real. The video was well done. It was a refreshing approach to learning about our community, one member at a time. And it was already having an effect: each of the mentors and nearly all the students present remarked on how moved they were by this student’s simple, inspiring idea.

Moved as we were, our reactions varied. Some easily identified a word, wrote it on their button, and casually pinned it to their backpack. Others fingered their button, looking at it, looking into space, clearly contemplating what word would describe them concretely enough to write on a button. Others simply stuck the button in their packs or left them quietly on the desk as they left class that final day.

My button has remained thoughtfully attached to my bag while I consider how I wish to fill that flirty little blank; that space that exists to share something special about me; to create Opportunity. Adventure. Success.

At last I have decided what to do: I shall simply leave it blank. For you see, for me, the button as is serves its purpose. That beautifully simple open space has started more conversations than I can count, and it allows me the latitude to define myself in the moment – which, in the end, is most authentic for me.


Now I wonder, what might your button say?