Welcome to Things Once Said, a curated list of words, work and wisdom that has inspired me recently.
Storytelling is one of a leader’s most powerful tools. I loved this piece in HBR, Storytelling That Drives Bold Change, which examines storytelling’s potency as an agent of change in a business or organisation.
When you think about the change you want to lead, ask yourself this: Can I capture my vision in a page? A paragraph? A word? The French philosopher Blaise Pascal once apologized for writing a long letter, explaining that he hadn’t had time to write a short one. Your first task is to craft the equivalent of a short letter—even though it may take you extra time.
Featuring Frances Frei and Anne Morriss.
This episode of Debbie Millman’s Design Matters Podcast with Alan Dye, Apple’s Vice President of Human Interface Design, really delivers. I love behind-the-scenes conversations about the design process at the best of times, even more so given that interviews at this level of Apple’s leadership are extremely rare.
So our design process is, I don’t think it’s very proprietary. I think it actually resembles very much what, my story about college. Sometimes we get it right early on, but but most the time, I think the design process is an iterative one. And it needs to be, so you know, we have a studio unlike any other. And we’ve got teams of designers caring so deeply about every one of these small details, and iterating, and sketching and trying new things out. That’s what ultimately leads to the final product. And usually we know it when we see it, you know, and usually it takes it takes a fair amount of iteration.
Featuring Debbie Millman and Alan Dye.
These images of abandoned theatres by Ben Geier have me mesmerised.
Featuring Ben Geier.
I first read Josh Spector’s article about misunderstanding confidence almost a decade ago, but it resonates with me even more now. Josh examines confidence from nine angles, so there is much to unpack.
Confident people feel as much fear as everybody else. But they don’t allow fear to prevent them from action.
Featuring Josh Spector.
I loved this Instagram post by @linescapes.drawing, which reflects on the beauty and perspective that creating art gives you.
Featuring Gašper Habjanič.
Thanks for joining me for Vol. 1 of Things Once Said. If you enjoyed this inaugural issue. For weekly updates, please subscribe or follow me for more.