A weekly thought for leaders with the courage to introspect.
The talker m/f and what to do with it.
The talker is everywhere.
At the reception.
At the family party.
At the office.
Sometimes you get lucky. You look around and think with relief: “No talker anywhere.”
Cheered too soon.
Suddenly he's there.
And it begins.
Great stories.
He (or she) is going to Hollywood. Or to Bakkum.
Has a new job and what a job.
Gonna do something big. Build something new. Break something unprecedented. Records. Rules. Silences.
Oh yeah, he's writing a book. Or already has a book. Or knows someone who's writing a book.
And he also has the solution to overpopulation.
You have to listen…
And us?
We make it happen.
The thinker is silent.
The realist frowns.
The number cruncher sighs.
And yet… the talker has the last word.
Why?
Because a talker brings something important: conflict.
And conflict makes everything more exciting.
I once learned that during a pantomime course.
A story only really captivates when there is tension.
Between people. In someone themselves. Or in the environment.
The talker is that conflict.
His stories clash with reality. Sometimes with his own title.
With conventions. With logic. With numbers.
And we hang on his every word.
Not because we believe everything. But because it entertains.
Because foolishness, however unfortunate, knows no bounds.
Stupidity has no limits.
And so you wonder: what do you do with it?
Are you going to let him go? Or not?
My advice: both are good. It depends on your role.
Advice 1: Let the talker have his way.
His life is conflict. He or she needs it. You don't change that.
Advice 2: Don't let him have his way.
Be the realist. The thinker. The critic.
Ask the question no one asks.
Analyze his nonsense. Prick the balloon.
Somebody's got to do it.
And if that's you, do it kindly. Do it smartly.
But above all, do it without regrets.
Because the world needs dreamers.
And thinkers.
And yes, even talkers.
As long as we know who's who.
The space between the words is where insight arises.
Until next week when our thoughts touch again.
Hans Ruinemans,
The Boardroom Monk ☯️