On top of your real everyday life, your job and priorities have changed in the past few weeks. Although most of the people who read this are typically responsible for public engagement in their organizations, a lot of you also do double duty managing public information, internal communication, public affairs, planning or other disciplines. So,… read more →
An article in the recent issue of Psychology Today addresses how our eyes, gestures and tone put us in synch with each other in ways that online platforms will never duplicate. Like all primates, we’re social creatures and regardless of how effective WebEx, Facetime, Skype, Zoom and the others are – and don’t get me… read more →
I suspect you know someone who doesn’t buy into the COVID-19 issue as that big of a deal or they actually believe that it’s some kind of manufactured hoax. You’ll hear statements like, It’s just like the flu, in fact the flu’s killed more people so far than the coronavirus. It’s just a Boomer disease. As frustrating as it may be, it’s important that… read more →
As the novelty of camping at home slowly evolves into growing agitation and anxiety, we’re all going to have to learn how to better deal with it. Some thoughts. Read More …
As the following story says, just when we most need to connect to people on an interpersonal basis, that’s the last thing we can safely do. Here are some ideas about staying humanly connected while still staying as safe as possible. Read More …
The inconsistent government response and multiple talking heads haven’t done a great job to help any of us find comfort in the facts, issues and risks of COVID-19. Edelman’s special trust barometer lays out what’s worked, what hasn’t and what to do from here. Read More …
Much of the communication around this pandemic has been less than stellar and in some cases it’s been appalling. At any rate, communicating hard, emotionally infested and complex information like what to know and do in the face of a pandemic requires some skill. Here are twelve points worth considering seriously. Read More …
If you’re fortunate enough to still be employed at this moment, count your blessings; you and I are better off than a lot of people. But you’re undoubtedly connected to work by phone and computer and probably through one of the several video conferencing platforms like WebEx, Facetime, Skype or Zoom. Virtual connections will certainly… read more →
I struggled with how to start this newsletter but I’ve been thinking about Allen Saunders’ quote (often attributed to John Lennon): “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Prescient, considering Lennon’s murder and appropriate now with COVID-19, our new Pearl Harbor or 911. I guess it’s as good a place… read more →
I’m sure that my first grade teacher, Sister Mary Mercy, wouldn’t happy if she caught me saying this but let’s face it, some people are just jerks. Look, I’m a committed believer and practitioner of respecting people’s opinions and treating others with civility, regardless of how they honestly feel or how misinformed they might be. But the fact is, there are people who are just full of B.S., and dealing with them is a challenge. I finally found an idea. Read More …