Okay People. This post is not going to talk about listening to your customers. Although you know how we feel about that.

This post is about listening to you.

So many of us are exploring new ways to connect. We are having fun. Sharing our thoughts and our lives. Making some new friends. Maybe even making a few mistakes along the way.

I read the most interesting article the other day in some girlie magazine, about email mistakes we make and the harm it does. Whew it had some doozies. Silly things I’m sure you’ve never done. Like replying instead of forwarding. Ouch. Goodness knows I have made some funny typos that have gotten me in trouble. And then there are these public tweet disasters.

Why is it when we type words they seem to hang around so much longer than when we say them? Where they can sting over and over and over again.

Worse yet, why do we type words that we would never really say? Can’t figure out why there is a “are you sure you want to delete this” message button on outlook and not a “are you sure you want to send” button.

Hmmmm.

Anyway. I often say this to my kids: “Never say anything on facebook or twitter that you would not want to say to me.” And it struck me that is not just true for teenagers (who might one day be looking for jobs) but that holds true for all of us. Trust me, if you would not want your daughter or wife or partner to see it. Don’t type it. Ever. Period.

Conversation is forgiving. Social media. Not always. Stop and listen to your heart for a moment before you hit the buttons for your keyboard conversations with the world.

Geno says the most interesting thing in one of his presentations. He says that Andy Warhol’s statement about everyone having 15 minutes of fame is no longer true. Online makes those 15 minutes permanent. It has changed everything.

So be yourself. Have some fun. Make a few mistakes and learn from them. But most of all just listen to your internal advisor, the one that knows you best.

Just a random thought for this day. And a pretty basic reminder I know. I know.

Still… I think it’s worth repeating.

I hope this day is kind to you. I am declaring this national tweet sweet day.

Be nice out there.

In the words of my friend Chris Sandoval, “on-line is persistent”.

P.S. The artwork above was handed to me by someone the other day. Don’t know about you, but I will take that over a retweet or an email or blog mention any ole ole day of the week.

I’ve always had an easy time making decisions. I have this philosophy that “any decision is always better than no decision”.

In fact, laboring over a decision makes me feel unsettled.

I usually gather as much of the facts as possible, but I have to admit I have a pretty trustful gut and often that is all I need. We all have instinct. The decision we have to make is whether to use it or not.

I’m also fascinated with how companies make decisions, it is one of the first things I try and figure out in a new business introduction. I used to think that the larger the company — the longer and more difficult the decision making process, but I have found that is not really the truth. I am in awe of companies like Fiskars and Best Buy and Ford; who have in my opinion embraced change and new ideas in pretty remarkable ways. They seem to have a culture with a mindset of wanting to try and do new things. A culture that empowers people to make things happen.

I can’t lay my hands on it right now but I read somewhere that companies that have empowered employees have more loyal employees. Makes sense really. Shared ownership is a powerful thing.

What mountains are you staring at today?

Both personally and professionally? Empower yourself, give yourself permission to make a decision. Then put one foot forward. Climb that freakin’ mountain!

Photo by the Hotel Saint Cecilia pool via Geno Church and his trusty iphone

Okay. I woke up this morning – a gray day in Green Vegas – but the sun was shining in my heart. Can’t explain it really. Maybe it is because I am getting out of town.

Austin. One of my favorite cities.

And I have decided I might stay the weekend and play around.

With that smile in my heart, I read this direct message from someone on Twitter. I won’t give his name but I want to share.

Indulge me:

yrs ago, i sent my wife a link to your site and said, one day i’m going to build my company like that: “a tribe of true believers”

Those of you that read our blog know I blow very hot and cold on this twitter craze. Or daze.

Whatever you want to call it.

It is additive and sometimes weirds me out when I find myself getting completely sucked in. You got to know how silly I think it for people to twitter to each other at dinner. (Geez, as I write this I realized I did that with Geno last night. Shouted out to my friends that I was with Geno have a really cool little drink before bed. See, it sucks you in. Guess there are something you just long to share…)

And if you hang out here often, you probably know this about me too. I get my jollies by inspiring others to believe in themselves. I read somewhere that leaders create leaders. That is my job here on this planet. To inspire strong and powerful leaders to lift others up in life. To elevate and empower their employees and their customers. To find the shared passions. To connect people. To give everyone a voice and supportive venue to use their time and talents wisely.

Period.

So that message from Twitter only intended for my eyes is proof in a funny sort of way that it’s working. That Brains on Fire is a movement and and not just a place to work. Those kind words from someone I may never meet but we have inspired feels like “twitter love”.

Forgive me if this post feels like horn tooting. But see in a funny sort of way, I get it now. Connecting with people you don’t even know can be a powerful thing.

So today. I will love and appreciate the value of twitter. Silly, silly twitter.

Now you go: tell me your favorite “twitter love story”.

P.S. I actually wrote this yesterday but didn’t get to post until Friday morning. Now I am in Austin with the amazing + delightful @genochurch at one of the most soulful little hotels I have stayed in long time. Check it out. Hotel Saint Cecila. I recommend this to all my friends. All of you. Even the ones i don’t know. Yet.

I have been thinking a lot lately. Maybe it’s the weather.

I’ve been thinking about my life. My family. And how I choose to spend my time.
I have been thinking about Brains on Fire and what success really looks like for us.
About how on earth can you fairly compensate such a wildly talented group of people who see Brains on Fire as a passionate cause and not a job.
I have been thinking about the work we do and the big opportunities in front of us.
It’s all sort of been running together for some reason.

So, yesterday I had an interview. (Yes, we have are considering a new hire and that feels good.) And when I asked this smart, bright lady if she had anything she wanted to ask me she replied, “What do you expect of me? What are your expectations?”

Hmmmmm….

I told her we are all in grad school now. Exploring new ideas. And the learning you choose to do every single day of your life is completely self directed. You’re driving the ship and collecting ideas and inspiration every single day. Read. A lot. Write. A lot. Think out loud and share with others. Even when you aren’t sure you’re right.

Let yourself experience life with your eyes and heart and mind wide open.

I know I am lucky and rare. I love what I do everyday. Especially the work we have found ourselves doing now. Connecting people. Lifting people up. Inspiring. Helping them fall in love with what they do again. Helping them find the shared passions that connect the dots.

Cordell has this great story about this lady he met in a bar many, many years ago. (I promise I’ll get him to tell it to you some day, he does a much better job than me…) Anyway he was well, intoxicated (Jagermeister was involved). And he was having a hard time hearing her. She asked him what did. And he said, “Advertising.” Then she looked at him and said, “Pretty trash.” So he said, “No. I am okay. I’m not trashed.” And then she said “You make pretty trash.”

Hmmmm.

Learn something new today.

Photo via Eric Dodds, aka doddfather, doddsie and all around freaking amazing guy

I had an ah-ha moment today.

I like to think of myself as someone who sees the bright spots (to borrow a phrase from the Heath Brothers). But today I had a conversation and in the middle of my sentence, it struck me.

My words were falling on dead ears. And in some ways that makes them sort of negative. Empty. Make sense?

I was trying to get this person to see MY point of view. Instead of inspiring them with a new thought – a new vision. I wasn’t trying to share with this person or even find the common ground, but persuade or push them over to my point of view.

I had to stop myself from smiling as I realized how pointless my words were. Even if I were to talk this person over to my way of thinking, he would not own that view for very long. Nothing would really be accomplished at all. It would a temporary win.

And that got me thinking about the work we do as marketers. So many of us are still trying to persuade others to join us or buy our products and services.

See things our way.

Instead of inspiring and supporting and lifting up the conversations that are real and shared and true.

I believe we are all looking for the higher purpose in the work we do. We are looking for emotional connections to others and the mark we make on the world. And that means putting yourself as a person and a company — out there. Flying your passion flag. Letting your spirit show.

Cordell said in a meeting today. I hate the word “tagline”.

Amen.

Think about it, what a silly little word. What if instead of spending so much time looking for your company’s “tagline” or “slogan”, you ask yourself “What five things do we know to be true? What do we stand for? How can we make our customer’s world a bit better?”

Are you a company that inspires and makes emotional connections with your employees and customers or company that is still trying to persuade?