Conversation Agent - Valeria Maltoni

The Year in Narrative: A Review

2021 has been a year of deep reflection. While I've written much less than in the past on this site, most of the articles I did publish are witness to important work that I'm doing elsewhere. Witness to this change has been the letter. But if this year was not as prolific here, it was more intensely concentrated on the role of narrative and storytelling in our work and lives. Month by month: January — Change the Story, Change the Outcome February — Federico Fellini on Storytelling and the Ultimate Change March — Why How we Work Shifts What and... Read more →

Reinventing the Assumption on Human Motivation

We overlook how much in life is about steps. There isn't a neat division between them, either. The development of one competency, skill, or the attainment of an achievement can be concurrent. You move up a step, and then review the previous one again. Hierarchies don't reveal nuance. Needs go beyond the physical and psychological. To make a person, you have intellectual and spiritual dimensions as well. I've been reflecting about these past two years and how we don't seem to see light at the end of the tunnel. But it's there nonetheless. Challenging the premise The first thing is... Read more →

What we Talk About When we Talk About Love

Together is the word of the year. As Copy Chief Vikki Ross says, Christmas 2021 Brief: Togetherness. Gap: All together now. Uniqlo: Warmer together. Pandora, Lufthansa, Extra Gum: Together again. So much in common. Toyota: Let's come together for the holidays. Guinness Storehouse: Together at last. We're in this situation together, yes. But each of us is living it separately. A genuine together is not a slogan. It's a demonstration that one cares, and a context that provides that experience. Perhaps all brands' narratives have run out of steam. Former Unilever CEO Paulson says current executives and boards are ill... Read more →

Everything Here Apparently Needs Us

“In business, we forget that we are human. Many strong leaders think they should not be friends with their colleagues. I like to be friends with my colleagues,” says Nokia's CEO Risto Siilasmaa. “You get through a crisis because you care so much.” “The way I used to think was: he who cares wins,” echoes Paul Matthews of Standard Life. At the time, the company was severely underfunded and needed to change its business model, doing away with the high commissions it was paying. What got them through? “Longevity matters. I was inspired by the people around me. When people... Read more →

How to Have an Impossible Conversation

Ethos, pathos, and logos. They're the three pillars of persuasive speech. Ethos is a person's character: Are you trustworthy? Pathos is the motivating factor: Are you connecting emotionally? Logos is reason: Are you providing the evidence? But ethos, pathos, and logos are not just mere rhetorical devices. Logos is your expertise and competence, made of facts and logic. Pathos is the area of empathy, how you relate to others. Ethos is what you intend, your integrity. Taken in a professional sense, they go from mere instruments of persuasion to the ingredients of trust. In the past few weeks, I've talked... Read more →

My Best Books of the Year List

Books are a non-addictive way to stimulate curiosity. The difference between reading a book and engaging in social media is stark. That's because the two activities engage different areas of the brain. Many studies have demonstrated that social media stimulates dopamine, which seeks short term pleasure and is addictive. By contrast, an activity that creates long term satisfaction involves serotonin. While the first touches 5 brain receptors, the second touches 14. We don't get addicted to being grateful for what we have. And that's a shame, because gratitude is like Vitamin D for the soul. I'm grateful to all the... Read more →

The Story Isn't the Whole Story

People trust other people more than faceless institutions. As our faith in institutions, media, and increasingly businesses crumbles, relationships and connections with other people can help us rebuild. I meet wonderful people every week. Either through introductions, and based on common interests and values. Technology promises shortcuts to connection. And I wish it wasn't so tempting to believe those promises. Because they contribute to creating distrust and conflict. Together we are stronger: teams, cohorts, groups, communities can do amazing things. But there are no magic wands. Collaboration and relationships are built through work over time. AI is no substitute for... Read more →

It's Not What you Think

Humans have a tendency to seek patterns. We refer to this life-saving trait as narrative bias. Life is messy, and we want to clean it up (this reminds me of a famous TV ad). Hence why it's easy to grab for a neat explanation, the tipping point, the moment you see beyond the peak and behind the wall, or turn a corner. But in real life, it is near impossible to find the crucial decision that led to an epic win or system failure. Yet, we reach out for compelling stories or a neat narrative that tucks warts and deviations... Read more →

The Transformative Power of Disappointment

Luke told me he had found the perfect company. Every person he talked with felt similarly about his philosophy of work and he couldn't be more excited. Nine interviews later, he capped the process by talking with the Chief Executive Officer. Possibility was in the air. Then, a member of the Advisory Team decided not to move forward. Without even learning anything about him. If this ever happened to you, your first reaction would be disappointment. Push beyond that, and you'll find generosity and trust. How's that possible? To have your heart set and broken, and to feel grateful? Discovering... Read more →