Whenever you communicate with anyone you are crossing a bridge. You are trying to get part of what’s in your mind into the uncharted territory of their minds. This is always a non-trivial process. Because every person you speak to has their own … [Read more...] about Perception = reality
“I don’t know” is OK. Really.
I said this last year, but it bears repeating. It’s OK to say “I don’t know.” In our world right now there are so many questions and so few answers. Not knowing is really frustrating. Especially when you’re a leader who is supposed to know. But … [Read more...] about “I don’t know” is OK. Really.
Start. Stop. Start Again.
Your first user conference in two years is next week! It’s oversubscribed! Everyone is so excited to get together!! Yay! But your famous keynote speaker got COVID. Oh no! You’re finally opening the gorgeous office you leased two years ago! Yay! … [Read more...] about Start. Stop. Start Again.
Don’t wing it!
Your company is having a WFIO moment and you’re the spokesperson. Oh s***. If you are the person on point to communicate in a crisis, you absolutely MUST practice. Yes, finding out what went wrong is a ton of work. Deciding what to say about it is a … [Read more...] about Don’t wing it!
Ouch. Crisis.
Oh F***. You and your company are having a WFIO moment. There’s a horrible crisis and your investors, your customers, your team, the press want answers What do you do? First, you need facts. What actually happened? What’s verified? What’s rumor? … [Read more...] about Ouch. Crisis.
Learning, learning, learning
"Knowledge is the new money," said Michael Simmons in Quartz. Lots of researchers will tell you that the half-life of a job skill is about five years. Gulp. If we’re going to thrive as the world continues its rapid paroxysms of change, we have to … [Read more...] about Learning, learning, learning
We are always climbing!
Welcome to 2022. What’s this year gonna do to us? If 2020 and 2021 are any indication, we’d better be resilient! Here’s a bracing perspective re-set from The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday: “Behind mountains there are more mountains. Elysium … [Read more...] about We are always climbing!
Graceful goodbyes
Everyone’s quitting - to go back to school, to go run an alpaca farm, to travel. You’re left with a ton of work to do and a team that looks like swiss cheese. Receiving resignations from your talented people is one of the great miseries of corporate … [Read more...] about Graceful goodbyes
Your talk can be a symphony
What’s a crescendo? In a symphony or an aria, it’s a swelling of music that tells listeners that THIS is the most important, the most lush, the most beautiful part of the piece. Composers do so many intricate and wonderful things to build to … [Read more...] about Your talk can be a symphony
Speak their language
As a great communicator you speak to your audiences in their language. You use their acronyms, you speak to their industry’s concerns, you know what “success” looks and feels like to them. Ask yourself: Based on what I know about the people I am … [Read more...] about Speak their language
