Hi Friend
This past week I got to actually speak in front of an audience! Granted it was the person running the computer and three other individuals involved in the conference, but none-the-less I’ll take it. It was all done live from one room to a Zoom Audience. I had packed up all the gear from my home studio office and set it up on location. It was cool to be able to broadcast remotely.
I also was a panel guest on an Association event, that was pre-recorded and played this week. I’d literally forgotten what we talked about, so it was fun to watch (and painful – my eyes kept leaving the camera). If that wasn’t enough I was a guest on a client’s podcast that was released this week. It was an interview that was incredibly fun.
If we’re connected on LinkedIn you would have been under the impression that I was blowing and going all week long. I even felt like it was a hopping week because of all the content released. In light of the last 3 months, it WAS a big week!
Yet when I compare this expression of work to my previous offerings – all live, in person, company or association gatherings – it seems, maybe even feels, a bit small. Not the audience or client or outlet or platform – but me. That’s unexpected.
I’ve been told I have a “big personality”. I certainly like to magnify life. I’ve been working diligently to stay visible, serve others, maximize opportunities, be consistent and keep in the game. Of all weeks, this one appears to provide multiple at-bats. Yet the gratifying euphoria that follows live speaking is noticeably absent.
Does the conduit itself expand or restrict fulfillment?
During these days we’ve experienced the paradox of being separated yet intimate, apart but together, distant yet collaborative. Most individuals have been more productive than ever. I’m touting the belief that “Work-From-Office” is more distracting, less efficient, more difficult and all-around a bigger risk for wasted hours than Work-From-Home ever was. However, which is more fulfilling?
How do you consume educational content these days?
Books
Podcasts
Kindle
YouTube
Audible
Social Media
Experiential
Have you discovered which way most effectively causes you to retain the info? Do you find one of them more enjoyable than the others? Do enjoyment and retention go hand-in-hand?
The same information delivered through the different mediums creates an entirely distinct experience. I assume that is true for people as well. If I encounter you on a phone call vs a zoom call vs in-person coffee vs you on a stage, I suspect my take away from our exchange will be drastically different. Which is the most accurate?
Do we know which conduit reflects who we are, best? More importantly, do we intentionally choose what conduit to express ourselves so our message is most genuine? What if this week we entirely communicated with only phone calls? Or what if every day we picked only one conduit, utilizing it exclusively?
Knowing that “communication” is ALWAYS an issue in organizations and between people, could crafting intentionality around the pipeline it’s delivered be more thoughtful? Sure there’s talk of generational preferences about texting or emails or picking up the phone… but I haven’t seen any really great self-assessments around which conduit WE SHINE BEST. Have you?
Is it possible that part of our impact or lack thereof, comes from our distribution method? Have you had a phone call that went south but when you interacted with that person, in person, it went well? Like the old theory about #WorkFromHome having too many distractions and not enough accountability, is it possible newer conduits could be more useful and productive? Is it possible we think we are representing ourselves one way, but because of the pipeline we’re coming off another?
Instigating Ideas
1. What if you did an A/B test of a message you need to send? (live video, text, DM, snap, email, tweet, voice recording, video text). Half of the recipients get one, the other half get it differently.
2. Try reading a paperback book, kindle and listen to it on audible. Determine which one causes the most retention.
3. Which conduits are you most uncomfortable or unfamiliar with? Use them this week more than once.
I was live, pre-recorded video and pre-recorded audio this week. They all look and sound different. Well, my voice still sounds like me, but the way I communicate, knowing the conduit, seems to be effected. I’d love to know the impression I made on those who don’t know me, from each of the mediums. Am I conduit consistent?
In our efforts to grow and get better, I wonder if we spend enough time considering and cultivating conduit consciousness?
I dare you to put to the test your tried and true, preferred conduit. Avoid using it all week. Experiment with new forums to see what captures your essence and message best. I would love to hear what you discover. Please Share.