Regretfully, I have allowed (over the years) my Energy Bookshelf to build up (and up and up) to all too many bookshelves. Simply put, Marie Kondo wouldn’t be pleased with me. In this process, there are many books which have left a lasting impression and which I quote/reference in interactions which I have not given just recognition with reviews but I haven’t held up my end by giving recognition in blogging space to those who are influencing me. Therefore, I will strive to do some catching up beginning with Randy Olson.
Randy Olson‘s move from academe to film-making as a path for better understanding and informing how to communicate is a powerful and insightful story. While not fully in agreement with Olson and frustrated in some ways, his books and insight merit serious reading.
- Within Don’t Be Such a Scientist, Olson’s lay down of four critical ways of thinking (head, heart, gut, and groin) really struck home. Scientists approach discussions and arguments focused on ‘the head’ (intellectual) which is the least powerful path to connect to most humans as opposed to ensuring engagement via ‘groin’ (instinct), gut (basic needs) and heart (emotion) as ways to enable substantive engagement in the intellectual space. It is the difference, in politics, of doing a great 40-page policy paper (which was TLDR (too long, didn’t read) for 99.9% of the public) and an ubiquitous 4-word slogan on a hat (which 99.9% recognize).
- Houston: We Have a Narrative lays out a fundamental messaging strategy which is built around story telling and creating a narrative. ABT isn’t the American Ballet Theater, when it comes to communication, but And-But-Therefore even as motion and momentum are important in both ABTs. In short, by transforming “and” into “but” one creates tension and storytelling. “And … and … and …” is endless scene-setting but but is storytelling. And, with this “simple template” to get into storytelling enables one to get into resolution with “therefore”.
These two Olson books merit inclusion as part of any science education but could be useful for business, political science, public policy, communications students and professionals. Therefore, Olson should be on library shelves and in high school and university curriculums but also merit consideration as gifts to those in your lives who are open to learning about how to become better communicators.
Update: Appreciate Randy’s highlighting that Don’t Think Like A Scientist is ‘problem’ definition and Houston lays out a solution.