Putting the 'happy' back into content
The acclaimed jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis came up with his Twelve Ways to Practice (sic) back in 1996.
Even though his forte is music, the lessons are as relevant to most areas of learning, as they are to becoming a music maestro.
For example:
“Concentrate: You can do more in 10 minutes of focused practice than in an hour of sighing and moaning
.”
Or
“Don’t show off: It’s hard to resist showing off when you can do something well.”
Inspired? Read the full list
I’ve just read an interesting piece on the story behind the NASA logo – not the insignia, but the famous ‘worm’ design (above) that was introduced in the 70s.
One particular part of the story made me laugh and reminded me how difficult it can be to make intelligent comments about work an external company/agency produces.
It concerns a conversation between NASA’s Administrator, Dr. James Fletcher, and the Deputy Administrator, Dr. George Low:
Fletcher: “I’m simply not comfortable with those letters; something is missing.”
Low: “Well, yes, the cross stroke is gone from the letter A.”
Fletcher: “Yes, and that bothers me.”
Low: “Why?”
Fletcher: (long pause) “I just don’t feel we are getting our money’s worth!”
You may laugh, but I think we’ve all probably said something similar without thinking.
If you want more examples of hilarious client feedback, have a look at these.
It probably won’t be a surprise to find I don’t particularly warm to Paul Nuttall and UKIP.
I don’t agree with their politics, so have very little time for them. However, recent news has made me have even less respect for the UKIP leader than ever.
I’m not talking about his pretence that he had close friends who apparently died at Hillsborough, which is pretty indefensible anyway.
Continue reading “Failure to take responsibility is the worst thing a boss can do”