Thread by @swardley

X : Can you help us write our strategy?
Me : Sure. It'll take 3 weeks and I'll cost you $5M (that's in my pocket) + whatever the company I work for wants to charge you.
X : That's a fortune.
Me : Well, you could always learn to map. It costs nothing but your time and practice.

X : How about something more reasonable?
Me : Sure, you can join the LEF and I'll teach you to map for a couple of days.
X : Will that involve writing our strategy?
Me : No. You need to learn to do that yourself.

X : Is there a reason why you won't write strategy for others?
Me : Yes. It's a waste of my time and ultimately yours. You need to learn how to play the game yourself.
X : How long does that takes?
Me : Days to start, a decade to get good. The key is to start.

X : What about past experience?
Me : How do you mean?
X : I've been working on strategy for 20 years.
Me : Do you use maps?
X : Yes, but not what you call maps.
Me : Ok, add a few years for unlearning.

X : I doubt you could be more unhelpful.
Me : I'm trying to get you to help yourself. I have no intention of being your wetnurse. Unhelpful would be me writing your strategy for you.

X : How about providing an example I can learn from?
Me : You mean you want something to slavishly copy? No ... nothing good is easy and that includes learning.