Punchy statements and questions
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Punchy statements and questions

I’ve written quite a number of newsletters and features. They tend to be a bit of a read, a few minutes. The readers seem to be a core of the same people, for which I’m grateful. I am still surprised when people tell me they enjoy reading them, but don’t ‘emoji’ or say anything on the post. Maybe reading what I write is a bit subversive and people like it, but hey, ‘they got a rep to protect here!’?

I’d make more money, a lot more money, by joining the ranks of the manicured marketeer pop-psychologists with a coaching certificate and a battery of “authentic photos” (WTAF?). You know, the slightly HDR casual look with the ‘authentic’ smile or thoughtful face, Bokeh background, leaning against a wall, sitting on a step, looking the wrong side of ‘smart casual’ – God forbid, the jacket dangling off a finger over the shoulder.

I’d rather lick toads.

My world is complex and nuanced. I help individuals at a deep level which takes time and calls for intense listening and involves an interpretative journey that treads carefully in fragile places. This is necessary to arrive at accurate, useful guidance rather than shoehorning everyone into formula-written ‘pathways’ and hoping they work. I don’t open a coaching manual full of infographics or run some silly personality test. I am trained in humanistic person-centred psychology, I use that.

For “fun” I listen to podcasts that increase and challenge my understanding of psychology, philosophy, and history. The likes of ‘In our Time’, ‘Philosophize This’, and ‘The History of England’. I don’t read books because I don’t want to be that person who then thinks I’ve discovered the Holy Grail. I read good journalism, articles, and academic papers so I can take in a wide range of ideas. I know, aren’t I great! Then back out into the world of shallow marketing messages.

So Punchy, I tend not to be…

I’m wondering though, and I’ll keep this short. Would a series of short questions or statements aimed at provoking thoughtful responses, be a better way for this newsletter to go??

Eric Purdy

Governor at Cambridge Marketing College

2 年

You are not wasting your time, normally it is a good, thoughtful read. Don't knock books: they have started every revolution/movement known to man. As for toads - occupational hazard and none of them play cricket either!

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Srikanth Ramanujam

Curating valuable patterns for customer-centric people driven Product cultures. Enabling flow from action to evolve out adaptive organizational ecosystems.

2 年

The honey pot is attracting the bee bots ??

Vedran Babic

CEO @ New Zealand Mint | Agoro

2 年

I hardly ever end up with enough time to read the entire article and fully digest it. Even though I know it’s high quality and worth reading! It all depends on what your goal is… if it is to educate and inform a wider audience, then I would make your frequent articles shorter, with an occasional deep dive into particular topics of interest to readers. Running polls on topics readers want to see (plus other questions) could be a quick and effective way to get a regular feedback loop going. Also, check out Substack (if you haven’t come across it already) for another medium to publish your work. No matter what, keep on writing! ??

David Berke

Talent Development, Succession, Leadership

2 年

I tend to agree with what others have said. Responding to an article you've written takes time and thought. Most people I know don't want to take the time. That being said I enjoy reading what you have to say and at least on one occasion so far have responded. As others have asked, what do you want to accomplish?

I read the newsletters and then I think. I mull things over, apply the thinking to situations I may have experienced or thoughts that I have had. Sometimes, I come back for a second look. I check to see if people are commenting so I can understand what others think. Often the things I am thinking about aren’t things I want to share in an open forum. If you asked questions I’d likely response because it would be rude not too. The length of the newsletters isn’t an issue for me, I’m not known for my brevity! I think the subject matter deserves a bit of length.

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