Monthly Archives: February 2012

An “awesome” view?

Posted by Constance Ward on February 27, 2012   |   Comments Off on An “awesome” view?
Swiss skyscraper dwarfed by the Alps

The highest skyscraper in Switzerland (the blue-green building at right) is dwarfed by the Alps in the background.

Sitting in a restaurant atop the highest skyscraper in Switzerland, I’m reflecting on the use of language in the world of business. Here’s the connection.

I was looking forward to lunch in the Prime Tower, which does have a great view of Zurich’s lake and mountains in the distance, but I was disappointed to learn that the “highest skyscraper” is a mere 35 floors high.

The use of superlatives like “highest” or “best” or of diminutive words like “mere” or “only” can alter your meaning and your audience’s interpretation of your meaning. Among some of my colleagues, they cringe when they hear something described as being “awesome” – they label that over-the-top language as “typically American.”

In a recent article by Lucy Kellaway in the Financial Times, she pointed out how much more effective CEO communication can be when it doesn’t stray into the superlative zone.

She cited a memo written by Stephen Hester, CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland, who described his employees not as the “best” or “greatest” or “most awesome” but as “good.” His exact words were “RBS is full of good people, doing their best …” The point that Lucy Kellaway was trying to make was that instead of using superlatives, the CEO was straightforward and realistic in his language. “Why this little word is so effective – apart from being delightfully unfashionable – is that one is rather inclined to believe it. It makes me think: yes, maybe RBS does employ a lot of good people.”

A good thought leader expresses his ideas and opinions in the least “loaded” or exaggerated language as possible. Are you paying attention to your diction when communicating with internal or external audiences and always choosing the right “reality-based” words to convey your message clearly? Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help.

Like a moth to a flame

Posted by Constance Ward on February 21, 2012   |   Comments Off on Like a moth to a flame

moths to a flameYou’ve heard the simile “like a moth to a flame” to describe succumbing to the irresistible pull of something that could be harmful.

Various theories exist about why a moth actually flies toward a light. Some scientists believe that moths mistake a flame or a porch light bulb for the sun and use it for orientation in the dark. Others speculate that the moth confuses a light in the darkness as the morning light and hurries toward it in order to find a place to hide itself from the daylight. Another hypothesis is that moths fly through a flame because they want to get to a light on the other side of it.

As thought leaders, you have to be on guard against being attracted to “bright” ideas that may appear to be of value but actually aren’t. When you’re out ahead of the pack, it may not be so easy to resist the flame of the “new.” Are you appropriately cautious as you approach hot topics to make sure you’re being drawn to the best idea, not just the newest, brightest idea? Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help.

Ruminations on Rodin

Posted by Constance Ward on February 17, 2012   |   1 Comment

Among those colleagues who reviewed my website before I launched it, one commented that the Rodin statue on the homepage seemed a bit too traditional an image for this progressive company. My instinct told me it was the right image so I kept it.

rodin observes monument to victor hugo

Auguste Rodin observing work on the Monument to Victor Hugo at the studio of his assistant Henri Lebossé in 1896

Then in a book I just finished, a reference to the 19th Century sculptor again made me question the use of photos of Auguste Rodin’s “Thinker” on the site. Michael Cunningham in By Nightfall wrote: “Now Rodin has been and gone and yes, of course, he’s a part of history, but new artists don’t revere him, no one makes a pilgrimage, you learn about him in school, you pass his sculptures on your way to see the Damien Hirst.”

So I’ve now given more thought to whether Rodin is an appropriate muse to have on a website about thought leadership, and I’ve decided it’s definitely staying. Here’s why:

Many of the concepts on this site are traditional, tried-and-true techniques for leadership. But added to those “Rodin” ideas are some trends and contemporary “Damien Hirst” techniques that you can tailor to build your own thought-leadership skills in this modern-day world.

Rodin may now be recognized the pre-eminent French sculptor of his time, but his ideas weren’t always accepted in a world unaccustomed to realism in sculptures. He was a trailblazer, but he had to establish his reputation as a leader in the art world over time. Eventually, however, “society”—including his clients and critics and even his competitors—appreciated his progressive point of view about sculpture.

Are your thought-leadership points of view being appreciated? Are you seen as a trailblazer in your industry? Are you tomorrow’s Auguste Rodin or Damien Hirst? Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help.

What’s your TL IQ?

Posted by Constance Ward on February 7, 2012   |   Comments Off on What’s your TL IQ?

albert einstein ask assess and actAlbert Einstein is often quoted as saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.” Well, you don’t have to be a brainiac to know that it is easier to agree with that quote than to live the truth in it. Old habits die hard, and change takes energy and commitment.

If you are ready for a change in your professional life and want to become more of a thought leader in your industry, it’s time to think about doing things differently. Before you begin that journey, take a bit of time for self-examination and ask yourself where you are right now.

Self-Assessment: How good is your
thought-leadership strategy?
Click the link above for a quick survey designed to give you some idea of where your gaps are now and to help you assess where you need to be. The results of the self-assessment are private and confidential. We can’t see what you scored; but if you aren’t satisfied with that score, please contact us for a free consultation. Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help. We’re here to help.

What’s happening?

Posted by Constance Ward on February 4, 2012   |   Comments Off on What’s happening?

To continue the theme over the last few blog entries, here are some additional thoughts about the field of competitive intelligence and thought leadership.

In business, thought leadership is about being ahead – well ahead – of your competitors. To be successful as a thought leader, you need to spot trends, pick up even weak signals in the marketplace and anticipate reactions to industry changes.

Thought leaders don’t just look at the past and present they shape the future. They don’t just react after something happens or act on something happening now – they create what’s happening.

Are you just reacting and acting or are you actually creating the future for your company and your industry? Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help.