Make Decency the Default
Basic decency isn’t radical. It’s necessary—in politics, business, and marketing. Let’s make it a priority.
Oblique Strategies and Creativity
Lessons from, Brian Eno: Songwriting strategies can also apply to the creative process for writing—even on topics in institutional finance.
Xodus and Bluesky
Accounts and traffic on social media platform Bluesky are soaring because X is just appalling. But is that a good thing? Will it last?
Clarity for the Sake of Rhetoric
What does the phrase “let me be clear” suggest when it becomes a knee-jerk gesture instead of a rhetorical flourish?
Something Happens to Writers
Many business writers become bitter and crabby. They cross the line from audience advocacy into indignant ignorance. They grouse, kvetch, and scold. But there’s a way out.
How Many Marbles?
Last year, I asked myself how much longer I think I want to work before “retiring.” I did the math and decided it would be 800 weeks. It’s a lot of time, but not much time at all.
Striking a Balance
I try to make rational decisions around 90% of the time. There’s always room for a bit of emotion and impulse. So I give myself a bit of leeway when they pop up. But I try to make kind decisions 100% of the time. There’s never room for cruelty or brutality.
Fostering a Culture of Compassionate Intelligence
Cruel and stupid are everywhere. That’s a big part of why I created my business—to create a safe little island of kind and smart for myself, my team, and my clients. And I don’t (only) mean the usual cast of bullies and bigots. What’s more insidious are the cruel and stupid forces that creep into […]
From Order-Takers to Strategic Partners
Marketers in complex industries like institutional finance have many inner demons to wrestle. Here’s what I mean. The conventional expectation is that marketers need to straddle the line between the client and the industry. They aspire to bring relevant trends, client insights, and industry knowledge to the table. But the reality is more nuanced than […]
Why Your ‘Why’ Matters
Founders, innovators, product managers: When you’re building something new, it’s easy to start ignoring the why. It’s even more likely that you forget to be vocal about why. Then you finally have something ready for investors or the market—but you feel like you’re starting at zero again. Your idea of what is new and better […]