Since 2016 was the year of Tony Bennett's 90 birthday, it seems appropriate to conclude what has been a checkered 12 months with a Tony Bennett story. Many years ago, Bennett was struggling in terms of how to reconcile his preferred choice of songs to sing and record with the growing influx of rock and roll music that was, at the time, beginning to dominate the music scene. He turned to his colleague and friend Count Basie for advice. How, he asked, should he adjust his style to adapt to these changes? How can he stay relevant? Basie responded with a very simple question: "Why fix an apple?"
Indeed. Why change something that is working? Why change something that does not need to be fixed? This was and is true of Bennett's musical choices and, beyond that, true of the fundamental elements of effective communication: speaking in a direct, honest, thoughtful and respectful manner, listening with an open mind and in an equally respectful manner, and doing all one can to ensure the exchange continues in this way until its natural conclusion. Such a scenario represents the apple of communication. In all its simple, no-frills way, such a dynamic needs no fixing, tweaking or adjusting. It simply needs to be followed.
As has been well-documented, in 2016 so much of the communicating that occurred did not follow that formula. The well-entrenched division within the United States and lack of trust many people have for such established entities as government and the media are among the results of not only not following the steps that help ensure successful communication but ill-advised efforts to fix or improve-upon what does not need fixing or improvement. Talking over others or calling others names do not make one a better communicator. Putting forth misleading information is not the way to go either. Moving into 2017, it is clear that communication is not in need of repairs. Rather, it is the folks choosing to ignore what is perfect that should be realigned.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Richard Loewy
Richard Loewy is probably not a person many people today have ever heard of. Nearly 100 years ago he traveled to the United States from France to start a new life. He had designs of becoming some sort of electrical engineer. Eventually, he went on to become one of the nation's foremost industrial designers. One quick example of Loewy's influence is the current look of Air Force, the official plane of the President of the United States. Loewy is the one who came up with the plane's now-famous blue nose. Loewy recognized that people - consumers - did not necessarily want their favorite products to look the same year-in and year-out. They wanted the mechanics of their favorite products to be the same while at the same time were open to their having a new look, thus giving folks a feeling of advancement or upgrading.
As a student of human nature, Loewy was aware people struggled between being naturally curious about new things while at the same time preferred the comfort of what was familiar to them; curious about and fearful of the new at the same time. Such opposite dispositions can be found in how people often react to various communication efforts or strategies. Such time-old appeals as tugging at one's heart strings, fear mongering, bullying and taping into one's desire to fit-in with others continue to be as popular today as ever. At the same time, there are efforts to package them in ways that represent variations from what has been done in the past.
More than any other area of communication, advertising is one where professionals most often juggle the familiar with the new in terms of putting forth products or messages or motivating consumers to take certain action or adopt particular beliefs. Whether it pertains to the selling of new cars, introducing new clotheslines, promoting political candidates or even selling tickets to a new show, the dynamic between neophilia (curiosity of new things) versus neophobia (fear of anything new) rages on. It is, in a sense, a genre that remains time-tested yet under constant repackaging.
As a student of human nature, Loewy was aware people struggled between being naturally curious about new things while at the same time preferred the comfort of what was familiar to them; curious about and fearful of the new at the same time. Such opposite dispositions can be found in how people often react to various communication efforts or strategies. Such time-old appeals as tugging at one's heart strings, fear mongering, bullying and taping into one's desire to fit-in with others continue to be as popular today as ever. At the same time, there are efforts to package them in ways that represent variations from what has been done in the past.
More than any other area of communication, advertising is one where professionals most often juggle the familiar with the new in terms of putting forth products or messages or motivating consumers to take certain action or adopt particular beliefs. Whether it pertains to the selling of new cars, introducing new clotheslines, promoting political candidates or even selling tickets to a new show, the dynamic between neophilia (curiosity of new things) versus neophobia (fear of anything new) rages on. It is, in a sense, a genre that remains time-tested yet under constant repackaging.
Saturday, December 24, 2016
A Bright Glimmer
Many are very happy to see 2016 coming to an end. Without question, there were many significant dark moments in it. The fact that our planet continued to get warmer at a record pace was one of them. Sad to say, moving into 2017, that trajectory seems to continue to be on the upswing. Another negative trend this year was a steady decline in the quality of communication among public figures - persons who should definitely know better. Those in the media, for instance, know that for communication to be at its most effective, there must be respect, good manners, active listening, and a distinguishing between opinions and facts.
Again, sad to say, the trend in 2016 was a decline in those essential elements as we watched public figures time and again do a great disservice to the act of communicating. Instead of talking with, there seemed to a growing amount of talking at. Not good. The results are equally disturbing: the general public has little faith in the media and the country seems more divided than ever. Is there something on the horizon that will turn all this around? As the old saying goes, "Is there a pony under the tree" that will motivate folks to reverse what we have been enduring for far too long? I, for one, do not see one.
However, this is not to say I am not without hope. I say that because what hope I do have is based on the reality that when things hit rock-bottom, the trend of mankind is to seek-out a solution. People's track record of addressing all kinds of problems, many of which are of their own making. It is, one might say, the magic of us. We break things. And then we fix them. This past year communication has been like the favorable keepsake that was knocked onto the floor and shattered into hundreds of pieces. Perhaps in 2017 we will begin returning to facts, being more open-minded and identifying our commonalities than we have in the past and, as a result, finally begin communicating in ways that we should and need to.
Again, sad to say, the trend in 2016 was a decline in those essential elements as we watched public figures time and again do a great disservice to the act of communicating. Instead of talking with, there seemed to a growing amount of talking at. Not good. The results are equally disturbing: the general public has little faith in the media and the country seems more divided than ever. Is there something on the horizon that will turn all this around? As the old saying goes, "Is there a pony under the tree" that will motivate folks to reverse what we have been enduring for far too long? I, for one, do not see one.
However, this is not to say I am not without hope. I say that because what hope I do have is based on the reality that when things hit rock-bottom, the trend of mankind is to seek-out a solution. People's track record of addressing all kinds of problems, many of which are of their own making. It is, one might say, the magic of us. We break things. And then we fix them. This past year communication has been like the favorable keepsake that was knocked onto the floor and shattered into hundreds of pieces. Perhaps in 2017 we will begin returning to facts, being more open-minded and identifying our commonalities than we have in the past and, as a result, finally begin communicating in ways that we should and need to.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
Bring On the Grumbling!
Almost always change is hard for all of us. Many times, change occurs against our will or wishes leaving us with the challenge of having to adjust to it. Yesterday, for instance, the temperature was quite mild - much to my liking. Today, however, it is colder out and that does not please me. Now I have dress more warmly, wear a heavier, bulkier coat and spend more time indoors. Another example revolves around the bank I use - Wells Fargo. It now has a new web page. To me, it is much more difficult to conduct my business online because the new web page is confusing. It is another unwanted change.
Granted, some changes we do want and even work to make happen. The election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of he United States is a perfect of that. Millions of folks were quite hopeful this change would come to pass. But as happy as they are these days, my guess is the reality of his ascendency to power is going to require at least some change on the part of his supporters. I further predict that not all of the adjusting that people will need to make will be welcomed. Thus, the reality of needing to shift gears is going to trigger different levels of grumbling among lots of people over the coming months and possibly even years.
This "grumbling," I believe, is going to be a real key regarding the well being of the United States. Lately, as has been well-documented, there is much division within the U.S. Because of such things as differences in backgrounds, political views and cultures, many seem to feel they have little in common with their neighbors and others in society. Except for one thing: grumbling. Regardless of whether or not the change is wanted, all of us on some level are going to have to adjust. And you can bet, people being people, folks will grumble about it. For 2017, I hope grumbling is given its due - our common denominator - and all of us identify ways to build on it.
Granted, some changes we do want and even work to make happen. The election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of he United States is a perfect of that. Millions of folks were quite hopeful this change would come to pass. But as happy as they are these days, my guess is the reality of his ascendency to power is going to require at least some change on the part of his supporters. I further predict that not all of the adjusting that people will need to make will be welcomed. Thus, the reality of needing to shift gears is going to trigger different levels of grumbling among lots of people over the coming months and possibly even years.
This "grumbling," I believe, is going to be a real key regarding the well being of the United States. Lately, as has been well-documented, there is much division within the U.S. Because of such things as differences in backgrounds, political views and cultures, many seem to feel they have little in common with their neighbors and others in society. Except for one thing: grumbling. Regardless of whether or not the change is wanted, all of us on some level are going to have to adjust. And you can bet, people being people, folks will grumble about it. For 2017, I hope grumbling is given its due - our common denominator - and all of us identify ways to build on it.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Survival of the Loudest
A video has been making the rounds these days in which a killer whale is filmed eating a shark. Gory but fascinating. Also, it serves as a reminder about being part of the animal kingdom. The upside, whether you are a creature of the sea or a land-dwelling beast, you get to enjoy the wonders of nature non-stop. The downside, however, is a big downside: something somewhere is always on the prowl to eat you. No animal in the wild is truly safe. No matter how big, fast, strong, clever or elusive something might be, no animal knows for certain if it will live to see another day. Talk about stress. And you can forget about trust.
I mention this because life in the world of us so-called higher beings - people - seems to becoming more and more like life in the animal kingdom, particularly as it applies to communication. Everywhere one turns, including television, newspapers, the Internet and radio, people seem to be trying outshout others. Less and less we see actual conversation or dialog. It is a world of survival of the loudest. For any of us, this is no way to be. Loud does not make right any more than might. Yet here we are. At the very least, this is the direction in which we seem to be heading. Our ability to peacefully co-exist is what supposedly separates us from animals. (Not to mention penny loafers and books-on-tape.) Yet the constant yelling matches that we see seems to suggest our ability to "get along" is eroding.
Professional communicators can and should play a key role in helping reverse this trend. By recommitting their efforts to communication rather than devoting their energies to shouting down those that represent different perspectives, then slowly respectful dialog can return to being more of what the norm. Getting this to happen, however, is asking a lot. Too many of us still want to be heard rather than hear. That cannot be allowed to continue. Communication at its best is when we are able to do both. Professional communicators can show the way toward achieving such a landscape.
I mention this because life in the world of us so-called higher beings - people - seems to becoming more and more like life in the animal kingdom, particularly as it applies to communication. Everywhere one turns, including television, newspapers, the Internet and radio, people seem to be trying outshout others. Less and less we see actual conversation or dialog. It is a world of survival of the loudest. For any of us, this is no way to be. Loud does not make right any more than might. Yet here we are. At the very least, this is the direction in which we seem to be heading. Our ability to peacefully co-exist is what supposedly separates us from animals. (Not to mention penny loafers and books-on-tape.) Yet the constant yelling matches that we see seems to suggest our ability to "get along" is eroding.
Professional communicators can and should play a key role in helping reverse this trend. By recommitting their efforts to communication rather than devoting their energies to shouting down those that represent different perspectives, then slowly respectful dialog can return to being more of what the norm. Getting this to happen, however, is asking a lot. Too many of us still want to be heard rather than hear. That cannot be allowed to continue. Communication at its best is when we are able to do both. Professional communicators can show the way toward achieving such a landscape.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Aging
I suppose it was inevitable. Actually, I could not ignore it any longer. Not too long ago I finally acknowledged that my hair is thinning on top. This was not easy. But the fact is to keep denying it was silly. There is a spot on my head where hair used to be. Not there is scalp. Maybe my hair went on a holiday. Maybe it is out with friends. Maybe it will return. Maybe. Closer to the truth is has moved on - or should I say "off?" - and is not any more likely to return than a fan in the stands is apt to throw a foul ball he just caught back onto the field. Another reality I am in the process of accepting is the likelihood that at some point more of my hair will join the ones that have already left. They won't return either.
Will I end up becoming completely bald? I sure hope not. But it is possible. After all, is not this what happens to most men well into their seventh decade? Sadly, the answer is "yes." Now it is my turn and I am not pleased. As much as anything, aging represents change. Unfeeling, nothing-personal, objective, non-negotiable change. Some change, of course, we have little, if any, choice but to accept. But not that is not the case with other changes. Communication is one example. More to the point: social media. It represents a change in how mankind communicates. Use of it continues to grow in popularity, thus representing a major step away from beginning times when we scratched out drawings on cave walls.
Now we are communicating via twitter, Facebook, Podcasts and other forms of social media. While none of these forms of communicate are bad, what is giving them a negative twist is the reality that some use social media to bully others, spread lies, report fake news, and spew out insults. Their actions not only do harm but often enjoy an audience of thousands and, at times, even millions. Very much like my thinning hair, I do not like this. But very much unlike my thinning hair, this form of communicating can be stopped. All of us communicators can speak out against those who communicate to hurt. Purposely setting out to deceive or inflict damage reflects poorly on everyone and makes us less than who and what we are. This kind of change needs to be reversed.
Will I end up becoming completely bald? I sure hope not. But it is possible. After all, is not this what happens to most men well into their seventh decade? Sadly, the answer is "yes." Now it is my turn and I am not pleased. As much as anything, aging represents change. Unfeeling, nothing-personal, objective, non-negotiable change. Some change, of course, we have little, if any, choice but to accept. But not that is not the case with other changes. Communication is one example. More to the point: social media. It represents a change in how mankind communicates. Use of it continues to grow in popularity, thus representing a major step away from beginning times when we scratched out drawings on cave walls.
Now we are communicating via twitter, Facebook, Podcasts and other forms of social media. While none of these forms of communicate are bad, what is giving them a negative twist is the reality that some use social media to bully others, spread lies, report fake news, and spew out insults. Their actions not only do harm but often enjoy an audience of thousands and, at times, even millions. Very much like my thinning hair, I do not like this. But very much unlike my thinning hair, this form of communicating can be stopped. All of us communicators can speak out against those who communicate to hurt. Purposely setting out to deceive or inflict damage reflects poorly on everyone and makes us less than who and what we are. This kind of change needs to be reversed.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Fake News
Have you heard? There is a new fad sweeping the country. It seems to have more durability than cabbage patch kids and certainly more substance than pet rocks. And it seems to provide a more telling window into the current soul of the folks who are caught up in its wave. I am talking about fake news. There are those who create it and those who follow it, many of whom seem not to be able to tell the difference between it and real or credible news. But in fairness to those people, much of the fake stuff being perpetuated sure seems real. Plus, it is packaged in a way to confuse most any one for at least a few moments.
Nevertheless, such items Hillary Clinton running some sort of child sex ring out of a pizza shop or bus loads of voters being taken to various polling sites so they can vote multiple times are doing harm. Their negative impact is severe. Fake news seems to be part of the larger trend in which facts themselves no longer carry the weight they used to. More and more people seem happy to believe what they want rather than what is. I am reminded of the old saying in which one can't tell the players without a scorecard. At present, it seems a score card has not yet been created that will help men and women readily distinguish between real and unreal information.
Reversing this damaging trend is not going to be easy. After all, swaying the actions of many via made-up stuff is quite a power trip for those with the mindset and technological know-how to do it. Yes, we have free speech but that is not pure or all-encompassing. We still cannot yell "fire" in a crowded room, for instance. There are laws against doing that. In the case of fake news, there should be penalties against that as well. Purposely lieing for the sake of doing harm is not right. As a society, we need to reclaim our allegiance to the truth. Penalizing the creators and spreaders of fake news is one way to do that.
Nevertheless, such items Hillary Clinton running some sort of child sex ring out of a pizza shop or bus loads of voters being taken to various polling sites so they can vote multiple times are doing harm. Their negative impact is severe. Fake news seems to be part of the larger trend in which facts themselves no longer carry the weight they used to. More and more people seem happy to believe what they want rather than what is. I am reminded of the old saying in which one can't tell the players without a scorecard. At present, it seems a score card has not yet been created that will help men and women readily distinguish between real and unreal information.
Reversing this damaging trend is not going to be easy. After all, swaying the actions of many via made-up stuff is quite a power trip for those with the mindset and technological know-how to do it. Yes, we have free speech but that is not pure or all-encompassing. We still cannot yell "fire" in a crowded room, for instance. There are laws against doing that. In the case of fake news, there should be penalties against that as well. Purposely lieing for the sake of doing harm is not right. As a society, we need to reclaim our allegiance to the truth. Penalizing the creators and spreaders of fake news is one way to do that.
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Calling Ivy Lee
Some refer to him as "The Father of Public Relations." Whether Ivy Lee actually deserves that title I will leave to others to decide, but, boy, we sure could use him now. A former journalist, Lee made his name in public relations when the Rockefellers hired him in the 1920s to help navigate a dicey situation that came to be known in the national press as the "Ludlow Massacre." In its, several dozen folks, including women and children, were killed by strike-breakers hired by Rockefeller to break up a mining protest. Rockefeller was blamed for the multiple deaths and, as a result, fell very much out of favor with the general public. The Rockefeller company turned to Lee for help.
In working with the press, Lee was a strong believer in not trying to manipulate or shape public opinion via spinning or media events. Instead, Lee was a major proponent of providing the public - and the press - with facts. As many as he could collect and as many as they requested. He had confidence that given facts, the public would ultimately make the choices that were not just best for them, but also fair to the sources of those facts. This concept of public relations worked out well for the Rockefellers and helped project Lee into becoming a major figure in the evolution of public relations.
I reflect on Lee now because his brand of public relations is rarely practiced in today's world of communication. Nowadays, all of us are buried by spin doctors, fake news and spokespersons hired because they are slick at talking at rather than with folks. The result of their efforts is a general population that is highly divided and distrustful of the entities that define our society, including all levels of government, the media, and even faith-based organizations. In short, particularly when it comes to communication, we the people are a mess. We could use less of those who seek to manipulate and far more of those, like Lee, who worked to inform.
In working with the press, Lee was a strong believer in not trying to manipulate or shape public opinion via spinning or media events. Instead, Lee was a major proponent of providing the public - and the press - with facts. As many as he could collect and as many as they requested. He had confidence that given facts, the public would ultimately make the choices that were not just best for them, but also fair to the sources of those facts. This concept of public relations worked out well for the Rockefellers and helped project Lee into becoming a major figure in the evolution of public relations.
I reflect on Lee now because his brand of public relations is rarely practiced in today's world of communication. Nowadays, all of us are buried by spin doctors, fake news and spokespersons hired because they are slick at talking at rather than with folks. The result of their efforts is a general population that is highly divided and distrustful of the entities that define our society, including all levels of government, the media, and even faith-based organizations. In short, particularly when it comes to communication, we the people are a mess. We could use less of those who seek to manipulate and far more of those, like Lee, who worked to inform.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Chilling
The comment made the other from one of President-elect Trump's spokespeople should send chills up and down the spine of anyone who believes in truth. "There's no such thing, unfortunately, anymore of facts," said Scottie Nell Hughes in an interview. "And so Mister Trump's tweets amongst a certain crowd, a larger larger part of the population, are truth." On the one hand, such an attitude takes arrogance to a whole new level. Never mind facts or truth. Whatever the soon-to-be President says, then that is what is true - even if it runs counter to what he said before or what has been proved to be real.
On a broader scale, however, what is equally disturbing is that I feel Hughes' characterization of Trump's millions of followers is spot-on. Throughout the presidential campaign and in its aftermath, so many of these folks seem to blindly accept anything he says. All persons in power need to be treated with skepticism. At least that is how it should be in a democracy. Traditionally, in the U.S. we treat our leaders with a bit of distain, blaming them for most anything short of bad weather. Better this then giving them blind obedience or accepting their words and/or actions as gospel. Yet this is what Trump's followers seem to be doing.
As Trump himself claimed, he could shoot someone and people would still vote for him. This is not good or heathy for a free society. People need to be view Trump as he is rather than how they want him to be. Further, it is vital that voters take a step back from being angry and start using their noggins. Trump is not all-knowing or even particularly honest. These next four years will be a very tough ride, particularly if we ignore what is factual. In a free society, the truth trumps - pardon the pun - everything. At least that's the way it should be. I pray our apparent shift away from that is only temporary.
On a broader scale, however, what is equally disturbing is that I feel Hughes' characterization of Trump's millions of followers is spot-on. Throughout the presidential campaign and in its aftermath, so many of these folks seem to blindly accept anything he says. All persons in power need to be treated with skepticism. At least that is how it should be in a democracy. Traditionally, in the U.S. we treat our leaders with a bit of distain, blaming them for most anything short of bad weather. Better this then giving them blind obedience or accepting their words and/or actions as gospel. Yet this is what Trump's followers seem to be doing.
As Trump himself claimed, he could shoot someone and people would still vote for him. This is not good or heathy for a free society. People need to be view Trump as he is rather than how they want him to be. Further, it is vital that voters take a step back from being angry and start using their noggins. Trump is not all-knowing or even particularly honest. These next four years will be a very tough ride, particularly if we ignore what is factual. In a free society, the truth trumps - pardon the pun - everything. At least that's the way it should be. I pray our apparent shift away from that is only temporary.
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