#35 - The Matrix of Spin
Mark L. Vincent — PhD, EPC, CCNL
Executive Advisor | Succession Process Consultant | Systems Convener | Mygrow Partner
Playing at understanding the spinning of a message for public consumption.
Some form of spin is inevitable when communicating because we can't say everything about everything.
It seems the choices are two:
These choices also have nuances, depending on whether one intends to show or hide information as one spins it out. Ah! Here's an opportunity to fire up a Johari Window!
It's so subtle! And, such a judgment call.
The line between focus and fib is so thin!
Maintaining integrity with inevitable spin means no wink-wink-nod-nod. If a board member or investor points to something I chose not to emphasize and asks about it, there need be no anxiety if I am merely focusing and spinning out information. I can acknowledge what they notice, tell the truth, and explain why I emphasize other items. If I am fibbing, however, I will either break into a cold sweat of shame at being exposed or double down and convert the fib into a bald lie.
Some attempt to distinguish spin from strategic forms of communication. In essence, spinning spin
Call spin what you will, the underlying difference is conscientious cultivation and maintenance of one's integrity.
Going Deeper: How to spin a topic
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A Systems Convener and Executive Advisor walking alongside accomplished executives in the third turn of their careers, Mark L. Vincent, Ph.D., EPC, loves leaders who love leaders.
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PCC/CTI, ICF Member, Forbes Writer, Coaches Council | Newsweek, Writer, Expert Forum, Reality Therapy Coach, Red Team Coach L-2, NLP Master Practitioner.
6 个月You address this fibbing and point out a way to keep us in check when you write, "Call spin what you will, the underlying difference is conscientious cultivation and maintenance of one's integrity." #Bravo Mark L. Vincent PhD EPC ????
PCC/CTI, ICF Member, Forbes Writer, Coaches Council | Newsweek, Writer, Expert Forum, Reality Therapy Coach, Red Team Coach L-2, NLP Master Practitioner.
6 个月Smart post Mark L. Vincent PhD EPC simply and clearly expressed. Of course the Johari Window helps and your modeling effective use of it is spot on ?? ?? I imagine we all can easily agree that "The line between focus and fib is so thin!" I’m also pretty sure most readers of your piece here have a well developed acumen capacity for knowing when the focus is on the fibbing and when it’s not. Where this issue get’s particularly relevant for all of us is how this "fact and fibbing" happens internally, without our knowing it and as a consequence, creates bias distortions within us, usually without our conscious knowing. This type of fibbing is a form of self-fibbing. It occurs when we consciously or unconsciously delete, distort or generalize what may be relevant information. When we do, if we recognize it happening inside us, we understand we’re kidding ourselves. If we’re lucky, we catch ourselves in the act and see more clearly through our biases. If we’re even luckier, we have around us, some well meaning people, who catch us in the act of fibbing and bring it to our conscious attention. Recognizing when fibbing happens by others is easy. Its not so easy to recognize it, how and when it happens unconsciously in ourselves.