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The Nametag Manifesto — Chapter 15: The End of Hierarchy
[ View the infographic! ] “Everyone should wear nametags, all the time, everywhere, forever.” That’s my thesis, philosophy, dangerous idea and theory of the universe. My name is Scott, and I’ve been wearing a nametag for past four thousand days. And after traveling to hundreds of cities, a dozen countries, four continents, meeting tens of thousands of people, constant experimentation and observation, building a enterprise and writing a dozen…
Adventures in Nametagging: Tables, Terminals and Hatemail
“Acts of friendliness in moments of anonymity.” That’s why I wear a nametag: To invite people to join me, to remind the world that face to face is making a comeback and to create spontaneous moments of authentic human interaction infused with a spirit of humor, playfulness and connection. And if a picture is worth a thousand words, a nametag is worth a thousand stories. Here are my most…
12 Idealistic Predictions for The Future
I’m no futurist. But some trends are too pervasive to be denied. THE COOL PART IS: You don’t have to kill yourself doing more – you just have to challenge yourself to do different. Consider these twelve trends, and how your organization might adapt to them:1. Beta is the new post. You’re never ready. Aiming is overrated. And fire burns people. Instead of “ready, aim, fire,” try this formula:…
Love People Until They Ask You Why
Love people until they ask you why. Don’t let them fade away quietly. Don’t let them walk away silently. Be promiscuous with your heart. And do so without expecting payment. Love people until they ask you why. Don’t wait for them to earn it. Don’t wait for them to ask for it. Be indiscriminate with your spirit. And do so without demanding reciprocation. Love people until they ask you…
Six Prices You Shouldn’t Have to Pay
Everything costs something. Not always in the form of money, though. Currency has many faces. AND THE REALITY IS: If you’re not careful, you may end up paying a higher price than you need to. Today we’re going to explore six prices you shouldn’t have to pay:1. Resentment is the price you pay for having no boundaries. I write books and give presentations about approachabilty. And on a weekly…
Are You Dispensing Answers or Offering Responses?
Not everyone is looking for an answer. When people turn to you, sometimes all they want is a response. Here’s the difference: When you give answers, you fix. When you give answers, you offer advice. When you give answers, you try to be right. When you give answers, you add unnecessary value. When you give answers, you dominate the discussion. When you give answers, you impose your own direction….
A Young Artist’s Guide to Playing For Keeps, Pt. 12
You’ve chosen an uncertain path. You’ve adopted an inconvenient lifestyle. You’ve embarked upon an unconventional journey. You’ve felt the voice inside you growing more urgent. You’ve committed yourself enough so you can’t turn back. IN SHORT: You’ve decided to play for keeps. This is the critical crossroads – the emotional turning point – in the life of every young artist. I’ve been there myself, and here’s a list of…
The Nametag Manifesto — Chapter 17: The End of Insecurity
[ View the infographic! ] “Everyone should wear nametags, all the time, everywhere, forever.” That’s my thesis, philosophy, dangerous idea and theory of the universe. My name is Scott, and I’ve been wearing a nametag for past four thousand days. And after traveling to hundreds of cities, a dozen countries, four continents, meeting tens of thousands of people, constant experimentation and observation, building a enterprise and writing a dozen…
16 Keys to Keeping Your Horse in Front of the Cart
When you put the cart before the horse, it’s impossible to make progress. People make this mistake. Brands make this mistake Companies make this mistake. Governments make this mistake. THE PROBLEM IS: They haven’t mastered the art of before. Today we’re going to explore a collection of examples to make sure your horse stays in front:1. Ache comes before achievement. Anxiety is a right of passage. It’s a sign…
What It Feels Like to Create Art That Matters
Anytime you dare to descend down the unknown path, certain elements will always be at work. Let’s say you decide to try your hand at a new medium of artistic expression. Here’s what happens: First, resistance settles in. You procrastinate. You put the work off. You find other things to do. Jesus, anything but initial execution, you think. Because you just know the first few dozen attempts are going…