We like displaying information well – in presentations, online, in records of events, in proposals….
20 years ago I was influenced by the work of Edward Tufte.
And now a really interesting blog and thread on The Guardian website defending ‘bad’ graphics.
Tags: communication
Have you noticed how products have started talking to us? Eva Wiseman did in The Observer.
We note this style of blurb too on Brewdog beers and even Method cleaning products.
Does this irritate you like it did Eva?
What sort of relationship do you want with Brands?
Tags: decisions
The TV presenter Floella Benjamin was interviewed in The Guardian Newspaper on Saturday. She said the following about dealing with those who dislike or despise you, after arriving in the UK aged 10:
“My mother explained that some people would hate us because of the colour of our skin but to remember, ‘It is their problem, not yours.’ It took me four years to understand. If anyone called me a name, I’d fight them. At 14 I realised you can’t fight the world with your fist. You have to fight with integrity, morality, intelligence and self confidence. I learned to smile and to know I was not going to be a victim.”
Do you recall the starting titles to the Rockford Files :
“This is Jim Rockford, at the tone leave your name and message and I will get back to you…”.
And do you notice now how few answerphone messages you receive on your landline?
Technology changes around us – often imperceptibly. In the early 70s an answer phone message (and wired phone in a car) was uber cool…and now totally usurped by mini phones that can Bluetooth to anything, and texting and messaging that is used to keep in touch from anywhere…
Tags: change, communication
Looking back to this Parliamentary debate on professions and professionalism from 20 years ago I am struck by both how much has changed, and also how similar things are.
The challenge to professionals has grown from those focused on social worker and teachers to doctors and lawyers. Across these elite tribes, there has been some reform emerging from within, with a new professionalism that emphasises accountability as much as autonomy.
Over the summer, I enjoyed reading US doctor, Atul Gawande’s book “The Checklist Manifesto”. I think it speaks to many of the issues and tensions relevant to the new professionalism (handling discipline in the routine alongside freedom to innovate; the need for skilled team communication and individual skill; overcoming failures of ignorance – and especially ineptitude in complex as well as simple and complicated situations).
It is worth a read.
Tags: leadership, responsibility
Our June business briefing has proved popular. What about this for a case study in responsibility.
Waiting at café for meeting.
A guy takes his gum from his mouth and throws it to the ground.
He goes inside.
He is young.
With a hoodie.
Is he hard?
But he has a Waterstone’s bookstore bag?
Is it his?
Does it have a book in it?
What sort of book?
Jeremy Clarkson?
Something by Wittgenstein?
Options – we like the work of John Heron and use his 6 ways of intervening on our coaching cards (which we can provide if you want one).
In this situation some of the main ways of responding include ignoring it through to confronting the person.
When confronting, trying to get the balance right is important. Not pussyfooting (can I find a bin for you) or clobbering (what do you think you are doing), but achieving the correct balance on the tightrope between those two extremes (excuse me, I think you may have dropped something).
By the way, is the inactive observer just as irresponsible?
Tags: behaviour, communication
Stuff happens…Events occur…Frustration and confusion arise…
How we make sense of what goes on around us and to us is key, for it guides our actions.
When thinking about events there are two tools we find useful.
The Deep Think.
The aim is to take an event, such as someone not arriving for a meeting, or set of events that has formed a pattern (such as regular delays in starting team meetings), and to try to think of as many possible reasons for the other persons actions. The aim is to generate a long list of possible hypotheses before deciding on action. As well as considering bleak and competitive reasons (they don’t like me, they got a better offer), there is the chance to think of more charitable ones (something has happened at home, their diary isn’t working properly). Only when your brainstorm has run dry do you try to think about which are the most convincing possibilities (if any!) and what your next step might be…your list of options will be much longer.
The formula: E+R=O (where Events + Response = Outcome).
When something happens our response to it is key. Having been left at the café or bar for an hour with no message we will be responding:
in our head (am I in the right place, did I put the right time in my diary);
in our heart (what are they thinking of, hope they are ok);
with our hands (texting, tweeting, fiddling).
The power of this formula is to focus not on R, but O. Bear in mind the outcome you want (a relaxing evening, a continued relationship with the other person) and use that to guide your response (make the most of time to sit and think, meditate, people watch, plan your next day).
See here for a bit more.
Tags: Decision-making, thinking
When away recently, we were amazed at the volcanic landscape around Spain’s highest mountain top.
It got us thinking about the classic 7 wonders of the world and the competition to be the 8th.
In a summer of depressing defining moments in UK public life – what with the news around the global economy, media hacking and riots – what have you seen recently that has dazzled and delighted you…that has encouraged and filled you with wonder?
We start most of our web surveys with a question probing what is going well or giving hope.
As ‘first things are fateful’ , where will you put your attention this autumn?
A number of years ago we wrote a fair bit about some of the defining aspects in health care, with a particular focus on compassion
This ‘poem’ is a more recent take by one of us.
How do we listen?
1) We notice
– But do we notice assumptions as well as information?
– Emotion and energy as well as ideas?
2) We filter to recall (and forget)
– On the basis of thought-out criteria?
– Or is it more haphazard?
3) Also, we can be more aware and mindful if we listen with our feelings.
So here is a ladder of listening…
I
-Listen behind the emotion (what is not being said)
I
-Listen to the emotion
I
-Listen for information, facts and data
I
-Listen partially or from a distance
I
-Not listening
I
Much time is spent at the bottom.
The most effective listening is at the top……
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