Hi, I’m David and I’m a shallow thinker

I was going to post the meme below at some stage with a brief statement in support of the quiet ones. As a self-confessed introvert, I have been a little noisy of late about the strength of the silent ones. It’s time we recognised that volume does not always equate to value.

Memes are great for simple messages and thoughts, they’re easy to share and tend to be in picture form making them readily viewed online.

It’s no use being clever and trying to do deep analysis on a meme – the point is they’re simple and should be read that way. Just share them and carry on…

I know you know this is coming BUT

The reason I’m advocating for introverts is because we need diversity of thinking, strengths and experiences. This is also why I’m often commenting on the very narrow focus we tend to take when talking about diversity in business and governance.

I like this meme, but the reality is we need noisy destruction as well as silent growth.

If the tree did not fall, the seed could not grow in the space it left behind. A fallen tree provides space and food- both are important for growth.

Destruction and noise, or maybe more pointedly for business disruption and vocal passion are necessary ingredients – as is deep thinking and quiet determination.

All things in balance

We want, no we NEED YOU

Don’t be selfish – share your purpose, your ideas and your random thoughts.

The world needs to hear them.

Too often deep thinkers sit back and allow the noisy thinkers to take center stage. Loud and passionate people should be heard – but so should those who quietly ponder life’s complexities and come up with creative, practical and world changing solutions.

Forums such as blogs and LinkedIn make it easy to share your thoughts. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the ‘professional posters’ satisfy everyone’s needs.

We really do need to hear more from the deep thinkers

I have a cunning plan

My goal is “A world where business and purpose collide”. Basically, this means a world where we have thriving communities supported by thriving businesses.

This is an optimistic goal, and one where the cynic says hang-on, I can’t change the world. This is true, but my cunning plan is to help other people change the world. I simply need to influence, support and enable changemakers. Give them the tools and encouragement them to do their thing.

I love this quote from Great Leaders & Organizations Have a Just Cause​ (2019). It sums up my view on the goal I’ve set myself:

“Idealistic It’s not about becoming the biggest, the best or number one.  It’s not about reaching some arbitrary revenue target, even if it is huge. It is about pursuing something that is infinite – for all intents and purposes you will not ever attain it. It is, indeed, a vision and not a goal. And as you make progress toward that better future state you imagine; you will be able to feel and measure your momentum. A Just Cause is an ideal. It is something so noble that we would be willing to devote our lives and careers toward advancing it. And, when our careers are over, the Just Cause can live on and serve to inspire further progress; that can be our legacy.”

I can’t change the world – but I want to support others so that they can

The introverts are fighting back…

A couple of weeks ago I posted about networking for introverts.

Yesterday I noticed this great post on another platform “I reckon someone should offer workshops which cater for introverts. No group exercises. No role-playing. Maybe just some reading and an online form we can submit anonymously? I love learning new things but can’t stand workshop formats. Icebreakers can definitely sod off.”

Trainers and event organisers tend to be more extroverted so this must influence how their sessions/events are conducted.

Let’s start thinking about designing things to better include introverts.

and while we’re at it, let’s get the hash tag #introvertsunite trending (apparently trending hashtags can change the world…. sarc)

Opportunity awaits just through that door

Many of us ‘paper shufflers’ (ie office workers) are still doing our standard hours albeit working from home not the office.

This is all well and good but the simple fact is we don’t deserve a medal, rather we should be getting a good kick up the backside!

Very few of us are in roles where lives depend on us doing 8 – 10 hours work a day.  We also need to remember that businesses rely more on customers than the documents, spreadsheets and zoom calls that we spend our time doing. The sad fact is, we’re really not that essential in the greater scheme of things.

Do our organisations really expect the same level of output during a lockdown? It’s not very likely, most are far more human than that. And if they do – I’m sorry but it says something about what’s important to you if you keep working in a place like that.

I’ve posted before about a favourite old saying that spent many years pinned to the wall in front of my desk “your family prefers your presence to your presents”.

Amongst the very real problems and issues resulting from covid-19 lockdowns, we still need to find the positives. The biggest positive is just through that door – please open it and say hi to your family.