In January 2022, Carrie Fox set out on a blog series called Finding the Words because she had something to say. By the end of the year, you were doing more than listening. You were deeply in this work with her. And because of you, we’re keeping this series going, every week through 2023 and beyond. Our promise: Carrie will keep delivering these essays each Wednesday morning to further support your work as a communicator for change. Your promise: keep telling us how these insights are impacting and influencing your work.
Here are some of the most regularly shared columns. If you like what you see, then subscribe here.
Who Wrote This?
AI is most powerful when used to augment and enhance human intelligence rather than replace it. While the use of AI in communication moving forward is inevitable, it is only human to have a brain, a heart, and a conscience. If you want to distinguish between real and fake, look for the human between the words.
What To Say.
On a morning like this, it is easy to feel either frozen by the news or fried by the arduous election process. Choose carefully what you say today and, in the days to follow. There is no going back and today, you can choose to move forward.
Promoting Calm in the Countdown.
There’s no use predicting what may lie ahead in the coming weeks, so focus on what you can control: being the calm in the storm for your team and community.
"Calm and Not Chaos"
From her body language to her focus and strategic use of story, Kamala Harris took the stage last night to connect with voters. She conveyed calmness under pressure and experience over ego, and she showed the power of communication when used as a force for good.
A Welcome Debate.
Disagreement and debate don’t have to be bad words, and they shouldn’t be written off before they begin. Consider opportunities to disagree better on issues as a practice to bring people closer together.
Be The Leader You Need.
Every day, ordinary people do extraordinary things. It is on each of us to display and practice the characteristics of the leader we need. So, the next time you lament current-day leadership, pause and look in the mirror. You are the leader you need.
Character Building.
Consider what you can do today, this week, or this month to fill up your character bank. What small ways can you focus your energy on someone other than yourself?
Thanks for Sharing.
There’s always something more to learn and something that might be getting in your way of learning too. I hope this learning list gets your mind going with new ideas and information and invites you to ask: what have you learned that’s getting in your way, and what are you missing now?
Brace Yourself for This.
No organization is immune from a crisis erupting at any moment. It’s how you prepare, plan, coordinate, and communicate in the moments of calm that will determine how you weather the storm when it rolls in.
Checking In.
Checking in may not change the big things, but it will matter deeply to those around you, who need to feel and see that you understand the weight of this time. And maybe that’s something good to hold onto in these uncertain times.
Way to Win: Lessons Learned from Coco Gauff
In tennis, as in life, there are moments when we’ll be on the defense and moments when we’ll play offense. Every day, however, is a chance to play and lead with care, courage, and clarity. And Gauff is a great reminder of what winning can look like at its best.
Can AI Make Us More Human?
AI is an important tool and an indelible part of our future. But we don't need to lose our humanity in the process of using it. Consider how your team's intelligence can be augmented by technology, rather than replaced by technology, and you'll be futureproofing your work in the process.
Do Some Things.
It’s natural to feel the weight of decisions that feel out of our control. It doesn’t need to mean all is lost, though. So, let’s take action and do some things.
Did You Hear That?
Find ways to get closer to the users of your content, and when you get there, listen carefully. That closer listen will always be worth it.
Not The Response I Expected.
If you’re looking for an actual answer from Twitter about layoffs, declines in ad revenue, mounting lawsuits, or any other issue, you’ll need to keep waiting. As for your own press strategy, if you’re looking to build trust and credibility, set aside the emojis and autoresponders. Instead, focus on what you can say—and say it authentically.
Banking on Trust.
Losing a previously invested donor, partner, or team member is always challenging. But a loss without any related learning is the worst kind of loss. In losing, find ways to uncover essential insights and small wins that make the most of difficult situations.
Better Bots?
At best, AI tools like ChatGPT can spark fresh ideas or inspiration for your writing. At worst, they spread misinformation and reinforce bias, while reducing our human abilities to connect, learn and process information. It’s not a case to avoid the technology, but a reminder to use it wisely.
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