We’re deep into the story at WidgetCo now. If you’re new, start here. Or, re-read Chapter Two. As Clara and Marcus execute their communications plan, there are a few risks. What if Jones finds out? He’s got strong ties to the VCs on the board. … [Read more...] about Careful navigation
Dramatis Personae
If you’re reading poseycorp’s newsletter, you’ve seen the first installment of the story of Clara, the long-suffering product manager at WidgetCo. You know that Clara and Marcus have drafted their Who What What table for the management team. Here are … [Read more...] about Dramatis Personae
Let’s make it real
When I put together the Six Essentials for Every Leader/Communicator, it occurred to me that it would be fun to tell a story about how people do and don’t use communication skills at work. So we’ll be spending the next issues of both poseycorp’s … [Read more...] about Let’s make it real
Overcoming a failure of imagination
Right now in the tech industry everyone is up to their eyeballs trying to envision how generative AI will change their businesses. As ChatGPT and large language models get embedded into and change the things we use every day, the companies who … [Read more...] about Overcoming a failure of imagination
AI needs elastic messages
847 years ago when we at Sun Microsystems launched the Java technology, not long after Netscape launched the first browser, one of our biggest worries was creating messages for something that was too new to define. As the PR person, I had to create … [Read more...] about AI needs elastic messages
Notice what’s wrong
Bad bosses and bad business decisions can be such incredible teachers. Right now in the tech industry we’re seeing the “correction” of so many leaders’ mistakes. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn. ‘Oh, I don't want to be the leader who does … [Read more...] about Notice what’s wrong
The sky IS blue
When I was in coaching school, I met a wonderful human who told me that he taught his clients this beautifully simple practice. Whenever they’d have a negative or scary thought, he asked them to add this short statement: “And the sky is blue.” As … [Read more...] about The sky IS blue
Embrace the pivot
Great spokespersons know that the ONLY thing you have any control over in a media interview is what comes out of your mouth. When you sit down with a reporter you have no control over how prepared the reporter is, what questions the reporter asks, … [Read more...] about Embrace the pivot
Change is hard!
Brains like patterns. Our brains are wired to lay down neural pathways and then to encourage us, via clever deployment of hormones like cortisol and dopamine, to stick to those pathways. Your brain knows that if you do what has kept you safe before … [Read more...] about Change is hard!
Where does it hurt?
Want to be a great communicator? You need to understand who you’re talking to. You need to know what your audiences need, hope for, and fear most. It’s a new year! It’s time to double down on building empathy for your customers, prospects, … [Read more...] about Where does it hurt?