As of this morning, I have to eat my words regarding morning news.  Great interview this morning with Scott McClellan. Fascinating dialogue on controlling the narrative of a situation.  McClellan points out that in Washington, everyone is fighting to spin the narrative in a way that brings them the most attention and the most support.  That it is not about content, it’s about spin. This is something I have been immersed in myself and a deep question that I have been digging towards the answer for.  We are a content company.  We focus not on how to sell it, but how to create something truly worth embracing. Our competition is out there mastering the art of the spin and selling empty experiences, decent experiences and occasionally exceptional experiences.  What is more important?  If you over focus on content, you create masterpiece work that no one cares about.  If you over focus on delivery and spin, you get a brilliant response and the public buys into the idea, regardless of the quality of the content.  It reminds me of a great line from Michael J. Fox in The American President: “People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they’ll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They’re so thirsty for it they’ll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there’s no water, they’ll drink the sand.” So here we stand with delicious life giving water, but the guy next door is selling buckets full of sand by the dozens. Where is the balance?  We need to find the balance.  In life, in politics, in entertainment.  McClellan’s point is that the American people need to learn balance before the next election. Not a bad idea.

Chuck Westbrook has a great post on Employee Evolution back from August 6 (but is still relevant) on how Gen Y’s can get respect in the workplace, despite their youth.

I had an interview last month with Jacci Schiff, and we were talking about this very point. We discussed how many Gen Y’s just simply may not know about these career skills. As a Baby Boomer, I believe it’s important for us to talk to our kids and students about doube checking our typos, showing up on time, how to listen, how to ask great questions and how to be a leader.

Another skill that many Gen Y’s are saying is missing is face to face time, especially face to face networking. Human connection happens through dialogue, through a smile and through telling stories which build common ground. Let’s all take the time to work on these skills that Chuck mentions. We can all use a refresher course.

Great post Chuck!