What if the secrets to being a great strategist… aren’t found in the world of strategy?
Each month of 2020, I’ll interview experts from different fields - going undercover in their worlds to see what they can teach us about strategy!
This is #12MonthsofUndercoverStrategy 👇
Each month of 2020, I’ll interview experts from different fields - going undercover in their worlds to see what they can teach us about strategy!
This is #12MonthsofUndercoverStrategy 👇
This challenge is inspired by the recent #GoogleFirestarters event with @neilperkin, and the amazing speakers @Amelia_Torode @JustinLines1 @robblackie_oo @Bogdana who did their own similar immersions in other fields!
@neilperkin @Amelia_Torode @JustinLines1 @robblackie_oo @Bogdana We’re kicking things off for January with the nail-biting, competitive field of collegiate debate!
I interviewed some of the best debaters in Asia and South America to see what they could teach me about building stronger cases and clearer strategies.
medium.com/@marcodelvalle…
I interviewed some of the best debaters in Asia and South America to see what they could teach me about building stronger cases and clearer strategies.
medium.com/@marcodelvalle…
@neilperkin @Amelia_Torode @JustinLines1 @robblackie_oo @Bogdana TL;DR
Debaters tackle issues from global economics to sports regulations to gender politics - with only 7 minutes to speak, and only 15 minutes to prepare.
No wonder they’ve been forced to get good at clear, fast strategy. Here’s what they taught me.
Debaters tackle issues from global economics to sports regulations to gender politics - with only 7 minutes to speak, and only 15 minutes to prepare.
No wonder they’ve been forced to get good at clear, fast strategy. Here’s what they taught me.
@neilperkin @Amelia_Torode @JustinLines1 @robblackie_oo @Bogdana 1. Strategy is Sacrifice
When you've only got 7 minutes to speak, ruthless simplicity is key. Debaters know that once you've found your core strategy, your core "controversy" - everything else is a distraction.
When you've only got 7 minutes to speak, ruthless simplicity is key. Debaters know that once you've found your core strategy, your core "controversy" - everything else is a distraction.
@neilperkin @Amelia_Torode @JustinLines1 @robblackie_oo @Bogdana My internet's messing up, but I'll post the rest of the article summary in a bit! (You can read the full article in the meantime😂)
2. Strategy is Adaptation
We think of our strategy as a one-way street. But our work isn’t in a vacuum - it’ll come under fire from our clients, our competitors and the real world.
Listening, adapting, co-opting - these are all skills that our strategies need to take in.
We think of our strategy as a one-way street. But our work isn’t in a vacuum - it’ll come under fire from our clients, our competitors and the real world.
Listening, adapting, co-opting - these are all skills that our strategies need to take in.
3. Strategy is Reframing
Debaters understand that the way you look at a problem influences how you address it. That’s where reframing comes in.
Here’s 3 ways debaters use reframing, and how strategists can use them too:
Debaters understand that the way you look at a problem influences how you address it. That’s where reframing comes in.
Here’s 3 ways debaters use reframing, and how strategists can use them too:
For more on reframing - check out this great thread by @alexjmurrell
4. Strategy is Clarity
It’s easy to get things mixed up in a set of 7 minute speeches. Simple, structured thinking is key to making your ideas heard.
Here’s HEEL, one argument structure debaters use, and how you can use it in a strategy context:
It’s easy to get things mixed up in a set of 7 minute speeches. Simple, structured thinking is key to making your ideas heard.
Here’s HEEL, one argument structure debaters use, and how you can use it in a strategy context:
5. Strategy is Practice
Debaters practice nonstop - one way to do that is to watch some of the greatest rounds in collegiate history.
Check this one out & see what you think! Makes you wish some of the greatest pitches in history were on youtube too 😂
Debaters practice nonstop - one way to do that is to watch some of the greatest rounds in collegiate history.
Check this one out & see what you think! Makes you wish some of the greatest pitches in history were on youtube too 😂
