In Touch. What Do You Think?

Welcome to the ONE HUNDREDTH edition of “In Touch”! As always, I would love to continue the conversation so please hit reply and let me know what you think.

Story of the Week: "In Touch. What Do You Think?"

During my many years as a keynote speaker, I’ve discovered the magnetic pull of storytelling. Watching an audience lean in, connecting through shared experiences, has shown me just how powerful a well-told story can be. This is the spirit that inspired?“In Touch” 100 editions ago.?I wanted to create a space where stories could connect us, bring new insights and remind us to keep our antennae up to the world around us.

One story that has always resonated deeply with me is about Bill Marriott, the legendary 92-year-old Executive Chairman of Marriott International. He was known for the simple yet profound question he would ask people at all levels of the company:?“What do you think?”?He once told an interviewer that, by asking this, he was creating space for voices to be heard, giving his people the floor to share their ideas, insights and experiences. (Check out the interview at 5:56) It’s a question that goes beyond words; it’s a way of saying,?“I value your perspective.”

Reflecting on the past 100 editions of?“In Touch,”?I realize that this same question has been at the heart of our journey. By sharing stories and inviting your thoughts, we’ve built a conversation that’s always reveals new perspectives. And that’s the beauty of this journey. The feedback you send me, the stories you tell and the comments you offer are constant reminders of why I began this in the first place

“In Touch”?was born to bridge distances, inviting each of us to ask,?“What do you think?”?and truly listen to the response. Behind every professional lesson is a human one. By exploring values like integrity, empathy and persistence,?I feel that “In Touch”?has been a way for us to stay rooted in what truly matters.

As we celebrate this milestone of 100 editions, my hope is that?“In Touch”?will continue to inspire, challenge and connect. Thank you for being here, for reading and for keeping this journey alive with your own contributions, thoughts and insights. Here’s to the next 100 and to staying?in touch?with what makes us who we are.

Warmly,

Michael

P.S. I am fortunate to have had the input and help of so many friends, readers and associates in the creation of the first 100 issues of “In Touch”. There are too many to mention here by name but I am grateful to all of them. I would, however, like to express special thanks to three people whose contribution has been invaluable: It was?Sophia Shilimintri-Jaquier?who proposed the successful change from the previous long-form newsletter to the more concise version that has since become the norm. My editor?John Vickers?not only ensures that I tell these stories and express my ideas in the best possible way, but regularly proposes improvements and suggests clarifications. And I can always rely on my good friend?Stavros Galatariotis?to challenge me and cast an unbiased critical eye over the final version of each edition before I’m finally ready to press ‘send’ and “In Touch” makes its way to you.?

Words of Wisdom

“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”?Philip Pullman

“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.” Brandon Sanderson

A Question to Ponder, dear friend.

I would love to hear from you. What has been your favourite story or lesson from?“In Touch” so far?