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https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2015/06/29/transatlantic-mind-melding-usds-18f/

Trans-Atlantic mind-melding with USDS and 18F

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: GDS team, People and skills

 

USDS visits GDS - smiles all round

Last week we welcomed visitors from the US Digital Service and 18F over here for the best part of a week to swap stories, experiences, and mistakes.

It. Was. Great.

sarahsullivane tweeted at 10:27 AM · Jun 23, 2015 (tweet content below)
".@todd_park is in the (@gdsteam) building! "I feel like I'm in the mothership!""

What did we learn? An awful lot. We learned that, despite our very different political and organisational structures, we have a lot in common.

US Digital Service visiting GDS - menbers of both teams sat around a table talking

hadleybeeman tweeted at 2:14 PM · Jun 22, 2015 (tweet content below)
"Great to see @USDS and @18F at @gdsteam — and fun to hear how they're approaching things across the pond."

We realised that sharing is the most important thing we can do in the future. Those stories, experiences, and mistakes become so much more powerful when more people hear about them.

hillary tweeted at 4:20 PM · Jun 22, 2015 (tweet content below)
"Mind-melding with @gdsteam this week. Thanks to everyone @GOVUK for the warm welcome!"

And we concluded that the best way to keep sharing is not just by swapping those stories electronically, but in person, face to face. We need to share people, just as much as we share pain and process.

Thanks once again, American friends. You're welcome back here any time. But you knew that already.

Join the conversation on Twitter (why not follow USDS and 18F too). And don't forget to sign up for email alerts.


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