Resonate

WIIFT

Have you considered the WIIFT mindset, because most of us are masters of WIIFM; What In It For Them (WIIFT) versus What In It For Me (WIIFM)? There is little friction to assuming a human-centered approach when we are the priority. The degree of difficulty increases as we try to empathize about the needs and priorities of other people. If we are articulating a Magnetic North (purpose, vision, mission, and values) or setting strategic priorities, the likelihood of it resonating is tied to a WIIFT framework.

AI

I prompted my photo app’s virtual assistant to identify images that contained artwork from my albums. Along with photos of traditional art from museums, it also produced some random pictures, including car tires that I had taken for an online ‘for sale’ post. I would not have selected the car tires as artwork if I had done this task manually.

AI is adept at compiling lists of information rapidly. It has yet to navigate the process of determining the validity of its response. For example, I received a special event announcement via email. There were several typos and a reference to a non-existent calendar date. This error-filled invitation was quickly followed by an apology email stating that the AI-generated draft had been sent before the professional team had started editing.

If we want something quick and are willing to accept inaccuracies, AI may be a good starting point. If we want a piece that will resonate, human oversight is probably required.

Display

Shopping in an outdoor store and I encountered a display for travel luggage. Talking with a team member, the cutout portion from an actual commercial aircraft was delivered to the store, complete with cigarette butts in the ashtrays and oxygen masks still stored in their overhead panels. In my experience, it is not common to encounter the fuselage of an aircraft in a retail environment. The display was remarkable for the story of its acquisition, transport, and installation. If I had been shopping for travel luggage it might have been appealing but instead, the display might be overshadowing the product.

How might we calibrate our displays to amplify our products (or services)? What happens when the display framework takes more commitment to produce than the design of the product? When we assemble a fantastically designed strategic plan, annual report, or capital campaign brochure but the content does not reverberate, we get credit for thoughtful marketing but the depth of our work is forsaken.

Famous vs Infamous

Do you want to be famous or infamous? Famous requires work and excellence. Infamous requires attention and notoriety. Infamous can come quickly. Famous usually is proceeded by dedicated focus and work.

How might we not be tempted by attention even if we risk infamy? How might we remain on course to reach a level of dedicated service that fame reaches you?

Mind Shift

What if you read that this year will be the coolest average global temperature in the next century? It is a different spin from the typical statement that the current year is the warmest on record. This perspective has been thoughtfully outlined by John Vaillant in his book Fire Weather: A True Story From A Hotter World.

How might we describe our work so it resonates and provides memorable context?

Start Stacking Rocks

A random boulder on the side of the trail passed by countless trail users has become an outdoor studio. One day, an individual decided to stack some smaller rocks on top of the boulder, and others followed, inspired by the work. Now it is a collection of mini-carins.

We never know when our work will resonate. So launch projects that are authentic to our values and be proud if it is a one-off or creates a movement.