Engaging with the next generation

Giving a guest lecture and remembering Tina Turner

Welcome to this week’s issue. I’m glad you’re here.

Over the last three weeks, we’ve been focused on productivity:

Productivity: Getting Things Done

Productivity: Apps and Context

Productivity: Rethink how you use your calendar

I hope you’ve found this mini-series helpful and found a practical tip or two to try. I know some of you have also shared it with others who could benefit and that’s awesome.

This week, I want to share something different.

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Professor B

Earlier this year, I was asked to give a guest lecture in a graduate course at a local university. As I thought about what would be most helpful to share, I started jotting down ideas whenever and wherever they occurred to me. When I sat down to organize my thoughts and outline my talk, however, I could not find my notes. Whereas I had been feeling pretty confident and dare I say even relaxed at the amount of work yet to do, I suddenly felt panicked and stressed — the lecture was less than a week away.

I started brainstorming, trying to reconstruct my thesis and the various topics I had planned to cover. It was messy.

At the outset, I had asked if a slide presentation would be necessary or if I could just deliver a talk. Either approach was acceptable, I was told.

Those who know me may know that I am not a fan of most PowerPoint presentations. They have low information density as Edward Tufte has noted. Too often, presenters just read the bullets and — even worse — turn their backs to the audience to do so. Jeff Bezos banned PowerPoint presentations at Amazon, replacing them with six page narratives. I wasn’t planning to create a deck if I didn’t have to.

But a funny thing happened as I started to outline my talk. I realized I was telling a story — and visuals would help to both anchor and propel it forward.

I stayed up til 2 a.m. one night — in the zone — searching for and assembling the right thematic images to support the journey we were about to go on together. Like a Steve Jobs presentation, there were virtually no words on the majority of the slides. Instead, full bleed images would help me to tell the story. (I did include some research, charts and design a handful of custom designs to explain key concepts).

I ran through the presentation once quickly, talking to myself in quiet, hushed tones, and went to bed. The structure was sound. In the morning, I realized a few things I wanted to add to the talk. In the ensuing days, I would practice twice more - at 1:1 speed - and made a few refinements each time. I felt ready.

When the day of the lecture arrived, I met the professor. We connected while we waited for the students to start coming in. She started class and then handed it over to me.

I wanted to provide the most value possible so I began by asking the students about their specific interests and backgrounds and adjusted my remarks accordingly. At times, I used the Socratic method.

I also encouraged the students to ask questions as we went along — and was impressed by how engaged some of the students were. Our future is bright.

On my way to campus, I found myself thinking about the one thing I wanted the students to take from our time together. Be curious. I believe it is a critical trait professionally and in life more generally.

Some of what we discussed as a class was more analytical, more technical. Other aspects were more conceptual, more creative. A central theme that emerged was the mix of art and science. Considering both the quantitative and qualitative is important — and can lead to better decisions.

The class period was 90 minutes. Initially, I was uncertain if I would be able to use that much time. In the end, with questions, we did. When you talk about things you know, it’s easy to speak from the heart. A few students stayed after to ask more questions and ask for my card.

I thanked them for their interest and thanked the professor for the opportunity. This is part of what she said:

“Your presentation was filled with very interesting and relevant stories. We could have easily listened to you for another hour.”

Maybe I did miss my calling.

In an earlier issue, I wrote about how one of my college professors thought I should go on and get a Ph.D. He said I’d be a good teacher.

Fellow Substacker

Cara Bryant Murray

commented earlier this year: “Teaching...you may not be standing in front of a class room but your insights on this platform are just as valuable and educational.”

Thank you, each of you, for choosing to spend time with me on this journey. I appreciate you and your interest (and support).

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🎵 Media Embed: Tina Turner

With her passing this week, Tina Turner has been on my mind (and in heavy rotation). If I had to choose one song of hers to feature, it would be What’s Love Got to Do With It from the album Private Dancer, released in 1984.

Go deeper: Here are her best songs according to:

• BBC

• The Guardian

• New York Times

• Rolling Stone

• Spin

• Variety

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Thank you for reading. I hope you have a wonderful day!

If anything I’ve shared struck a cord with you, please let me know by replying via email or commenting below.

-Bryce