Our relational connections build through conversational zigzags. Our work and our relationships improve with understanding those we work alongsid
White Space in Your Meetings is Productive Space
How Author Power Works: A Story in a Story
But always, the story is at the center of the collaboration.
EasyJet Knows Your Secret
There are the times we revisit the secrets that all humans carry--because we need to tell a bigger story.
Big Ideas Create an Orbit
Our hard-to-ignore thoughts are worth paying attention to.
Getting Past Distraction
Paying attention takes moment-by-moment courage A casual conversation with a psychologist earlier this week reminded me that a lot of us live from distraction to distraction. We were talking about the intersection of watching young kids, getting work done, and, occasionally, transcendence. Habitual thumbing through social media is the most obvious example of the instant …
Effective Communication Needs a “Let’s Change the World” Mindset
Writing to think can turn into writing to communicate.
3 Ways to Welcome the Coming Tide of Real-World Evidence
How can we stay open to real-world evidence, even if that evidence contradicts our models of the world?
How to use AI to get a brilliant first approximation
Choose the smart friend over the crazy uncle.
How Improv Rules Can Help You Create
“Yes, and” kickstarts good ideas Sometimes friends ask, “How do you write for other people?” It’s a good question. Or they ask: “But how do you know what to write?” We always start with marketing objectives, communication goals, and a deep dive into audience personas. But sometimes, my friend may pause to wonder something even …
Of Layoffs and Blind Beginnings
Smoky severance Phil, the boss-man of this Honeywell department, sent his assistants around the entire floor to call us to a meeting. It was just before lunch. He emerged from his smoke-filled office, stubbing his cigarette in the ashtray near the door. “We had to lay people off,” he said. “We’ve already talked to those …