Conversation Agent - Valeria Maltoni

Opportunity is in the Gap Between What you Know and What you Don't

I once worked with a mathematician to develop risk mapping tools. Aside from the occasional bruise from playing ice hockey, he didn't look or sound like a stereotypical scientist. However, the way he processed information and thought about problems produced radically different ideas. My colleague was able to operate not knowing, in the gap between the observed and the uncertain. The risk modeling tool the firm could develop thanks to his work was the most useful I've seen so far. It was also the simplest to use. Prevailing culture rewards people with answers. Yet, the longer you can hold yourself... Read more →

How Modern Marketing Prays on Insecurity and Why Long-Term Success Centers on Culture

You might be familiar with the acronym FOMO or fear of missing out. There's a version of it that tries to flip the feeling. JOMO, or joy of missing out is about finding balance in life. The JOMO journey began in 2012 when tech entrepreneur Anil Dash coined the term 'the joy of missing out' on his blog. It happened on my birthday, so I noticed. But FOMO had deeper cultural roots and hooks into our lizard brain. Hence why it perseveres. Modern marketing has capitalized on human insecurities. But if you think it's a recent development of modern society,... Read more →

How to Argue and Win Every Time

Do you have something to say? Could you benefit from improving how you argue your case? Are you looking for something concrete to help you? Given that my recent article on how to argue well went viral, it's safe to assume this is a hot topic. You may think this is a skill only lawyers need. But you'd be surprised at how far you can go when you can weave a strong argument. For example, you'll ace your pitch, and you'll find the real insight (or close to it) faster when you learn to argue well. I'm working with clients... Read more →

Four Books to Thrive in Uncertainty

All of the things you've read and heard about the difficulties of writing well are true. Writing is thinking. If you can’t make the words work, you don’t know yet what you think. I compare writing to meditation in that it also leads you down a path of discovery and self awareness. Writing a book is a task that blends endurance, persistence, and creativity. The best books on a any topic are a mix of deep thinking, experience, and clear copy to minimize overwhelm. Some books promise recipes—they're helpful when they keep the promise achievable, like in a niche topic,... Read more →

Strength in Differences: the Value of Entropy to Empower

It was Christmas day in the year 800. Charlemagne was crowned first Roman emperor by Pope Leo III in the ancient basilica of San Pietro in the Vatican. Charlemagne had been King of the Franks for 32 years—he would be emperor for another 14. A total of 46 years as the head of the western world, a world he unified for the first time after the disintegration of the vast Roman Empire. He moved the center of his empire to the north and west. Someone called him Rex Pater Europae. Power is an interesting concept. Because when you hear about... Read more →