Long Distance Thinking
It doesn't take too much experience to realize that "If you can't explain it to a 6-year-old, you don't understand it yourself.” is pretty terrible advice.
At Stoa, we've always waged a war against cookie-cutter advice and fortune cookie wisdom that sounds good but doesn't work, simply because execution has a lot of detail in it that cannot be easily put into words.
The author Simon Sarris writes about how we are presently at the peak "explain it to a six year old" era.
"Many concepts can be explained concisely, in simple language, and we should all strive for clarity. But the aphorism is a mistake, for a number of thoughts approximate the carpenter’s craft, and to meaningfully reveal them requires time and attention. Sometimes these cannot simply be told to another at all, they must be grown. For a topical example, we know that maturity itself cannot be imparted to a six-year-old, no matter how good a summary we might give. Despite our understanding, we know it is something that can only come to each of us in time. This pattern is more common than we think. True things are disclosed slowly."
We've also previously written about the starter pack phenomenon and how mastery lies in the details. Do read. And do not rush to ask for "how to's" and questions like, "What does your process look like?" The higher the level of skill involved, the harder it is to convey via simple verbal instruction — let alone take those instructions and put them to practice.
More monkeys and bananas in organisation
Benjamin Taylor, via a very simple anecdote about monkeys, explains how organizational culture is really formed. A lucid yet insightful read with a sharp takeaway.
The Symbol That is You
Everyone we know and perceive is represented by a set of symbols in our minds. Sometimes, we find out that our symbols don't represent us well anymore.
How can we renew our symbols?
Can we change our frames?
And can we actively influence our story by changing the symbols we use to represent ourselves?
Some food for thought
That's it for today, folks. Take care and enjoy your Sunday!
