Some Guys, Talking…
“Oh, the more it changes, the more it stays the same
And Time just re-arranges the players in the game.”
Al Stewart
Time Passages
Some guys were sitting around, talking…
Plato, who was known to be a thoughtful fellow said, “As I conceive it, Reality breaks down into three distinct but interconnected parts:
The Good: Ethics.
The Beautiful: Aesthetics, and
The True: Science.”
Centuries passed and some more guys were sitting around talking, fueled by an excellent Cabernet. The discussion came around to Corporations and People being remarkably similar: “As I see it,” said one, “People are challenged by communication because they have concerns about:
How it Looks.
How it Sounds, and
Whether it’s Lofty enough to earn and command attention.
I think of it as Body, Mind and Spirit…”
“Yeah”, said his colleague.
“Corporations have the same issues:
Is what we’re doing understandable and compelling?
Is it Honest?
And, is it Good for everyone and everything it touches?”
Once you’ve done the thinking, creating and building the corporation and the products, you have to compose the story, then set up the distribution model so that it gets out “fully aligned:” substantially the same in Person, on the Phone, on Social Media and in Print. Otherwise, it’s just “Noise” and you compete with yourself.
“One Story, Many Voices!®” is the ultimate objective for corporate messaging. It’s an ancient concept, often forgotten or trampled in the desire to get a message — any message, out there. The process becomes a chaotic contest of momentary competing inspirations, and any semblance of Message Management disappears, lost in a sea of babble!
But then, one story slowly emerges from the chaos — and that story has an air about it. It seems to be more than a simple narrative; it has a beginning, a middle and an end. Now a second voice emerges, telling the same story in a harmonious way, “Counterpoint.” Then Literature, telling the same story, in print, then on networks and social media. Then the Telephone Calls go out and the story expands again. Finally, the Sales Force penetrates the territories, and the Prospects, (already primed) are curious about the details, and engage in actual conversations…
Ah, “the more it changes, the more it stays the same.”
The best stories and institutional pitches must be true at minimum. But if one also manifests an elegant quality it will rise above the competition. Then suppose those team members are easy and open to the degree that they are seen as not only honest and accurate but good. That special flash of recognition echos Plato in every great story telling moment.
Applications
1. For You:
Today’s tools are not conducive to sober reflection, good spelling, or careful editing. Instant responses to incendiary articles on social media consistently establish new lows for world discussion. If you wish to be seen as a more thoughtful cultural contributor, a few extra minutes invested in careful composition will build a reputation as a compassionate, intelligent and valuable voice.
2. For the Family:
Remember being in school, the crazy discussions in the lunch table and the hallways? Low. Stupid. Kids trying to get attention with the most outrageous remarks… Nothing’s changed. People may have aged, but many have not matured. So, teach your family right now: Self Editing is the best kind. Because the internet is forever.
3. For the Office:
View yourself as a “Product” at work, with a “Point of View,” a “Position,” a “Reputation” and a “Standard of Practice.” With every gesture, comment, project, and interaction, you either improve your “Brand,” or smear it. So don’t leap to comment too quickly — people are listening and constantly forming opinions.
If you’re one of those “guys, sitting around talking,” it might be worthwhile to hold your thinking (and dialogue) up to Plato’s standard. Is what you’re suggesting or thinking True? Is it also Good? Can you make it Beautiful as well?
It’s always been a high standard.
And the more it changes, the more it stays the same.
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