Episode 69: Do You Feel Like A Fraud? Why Imposter Syndrome Is A Good Thing For A Strategist
You’re halfway through your presentation and you feel good. Your audience is receptive, their body language positive and engaged. All except one person. He’s sitting with his arms crossed, defensive and with a troubled expression on his face. Suddenly, his expression changes, he leaps out of his chair and pointing at you, calls out ‘wait a second…he’s a fraud!’. Maybe this hasn’t happened to you. … Continue reading Episode 69: Do You Feel Like A Fraud? Why Imposter Syndrome Is A Good Thing For A Strategist
Episode 68: Taking The Leap – Becoming A Digital Strategist Mid-Career
Our parents graduated, entered the workforce in their twenties, and stayed with the same organization, often in a similar field for the entirety of their careers. They were also often able to comfortably afford their own homes in their early twenties, but hey, it was a different time. Everything has since changed. The security that previous generations experienced in their work no longer exists. We … Continue reading Episode 68: Taking The Leap – Becoming A Digital Strategist Mid-Career
Episode 67: Sun Tzu – The Art Of War In The Age Of Digital Strategy
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Preparation. It’s at the heart of the Art of War. The idea that knowledge is … Continue reading Episode 67: Sun Tzu – The Art Of War In The Age Of Digital Strategy
Episode 66: The Marketing Strategist – Is It Time For The Digital Strategist To Rest In Peace?
General Douglas MacArthur once famously said that ‘old soldiers never die; they just fade away’. Is it time for the digital strategist to just fade away? Have we reached the point of maturity and integration in our industry that there is no longer a need for our role? Should we now simply be considered as marketing strategists? Many episodes ago we discussed the future of … Continue reading Episode 66: The Marketing Strategist – Is It Time For The Digital Strategist To Rest In Peace?
Episode 65: Ulysses – The Strategic Lessons Of Grant
“The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on”. Ulysses S. Grant was an uncomplicated, plain-speaking man who had an exceptional career. The most acclaimed Union general of the American Civil War who went on to win election twice as the President of … Continue reading Episode 65: Ulysses – The Strategic Lessons Of Grant
Episode 64: Embrace The Chaos – You Are Not In Control
“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked. “Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” “How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice. “You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.” -Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland If you need to be in control at all times, don’t choose this … Continue reading Episode 64: Embrace The Chaos – You Are Not In Control
Episode 63: Hypothesis Driven Strategy – The Solution To Too Much Data
In his book, Blink, The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Malcolm Gladwell argues that spontaneous decisions are as good as, or even better than, carefully planned and considered ones. Does this fly in the face of the role of the strategist? Strategy, by definition is about a long term vision, a roadmap to achieve an objective beyond the immediate future. In order to develop a … Continue reading Episode 63: Hypothesis Driven Strategy – The Solution To Too Much Data
Episode 62: Home For A Rest – Time To Breathe In
Ours is a competitive and complex industry. To stay ahead of the pace, indeed, to set the pace, we need to constantly learn, constantly think, constantly be challenged. We need to integrate our work and lives. But sometimes, it all comes to a crashing halt if we don’t stop, rest and recharge. There is a general level of anxiety that accompanies the idea of taking … Continue reading Episode 62: Home For A Rest – Time To Breathe In
Episode 61: Interviewing For A Strategic Role
Whether moving into a strategic role, or to the next role as a strategist, you will have to navigate a number of interviews. In any given month, I am lucky enough to interview a lot of people for a wide variety of roles within our organization. I always look for the same traits and am consistently baffled when people don’t exhibit them. What do you need to know, to prepare, … Continue reading Episode 61: Interviewing For A Strategic Role
Episode 60: Fireproofing Your Digital Strategy Career – Preparing For The Worst
Closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. Buying fire insurance while your house is burning. Googling ‘how to move to Canada’ after your compatriots have voted poorly. After a calamity has happened is the worst time to prepare for it. So what is the best way to fireproof your digital strategy career? Start by assuming that at some point in your career, everything … Continue reading Episode 60: Fireproofing Your Digital Strategy Career – Preparing For The Worst
Octopus Digital Strategy 