dispatches from the new world of work

Cool Friend: Pipher

A clinical psychologist with a background in anthropology, Mary Pipher has written seven books, including three New York Times bestsellers: Reviving Ophelia, The Shelter of Each Other, and Another Country. In her Cool Friends interview, we discuss her latest, Writing to Change the World. Upon reading the book, Tom had this to say:

Call me hopelessly naive, but I believe there is no excuse for any variety of "business writing" that should be crafted any less carefully or aim any less high than a great novel or great inaugural address. After all, we do aim—day in and day out—to change the world via our human collectivities called enterprises. Right?

You can read Mary Pipher's Cool Friends interview here.

Cathy Mosca posted this on 10/27/06.

Comments

Tom, "After all, we do aimâ€”day in and day outâ€”to change the world via our human collectivities called enterprises. Right?"

If only we had all business people thinking along these lines... WOW what a difference.

Too many see $$ and the chance to propel themselves forward, it might offer a chance for their world to change but in a more collective sense it's just a grab at other peoples money.

If all businesses started out and were able to hold the ideal of "Change the world" in a positive sense then a lot of businesses would thrive and be bountiful resources (personal view).

I look at the range of business failures in the 1st 12 months of operation and am aghast! But when I take a look at some of these failures, its no wonder they fail. Its the values and beliefs they hold which prevent abundance kicking in. (not enough education at lower levels around enterprise and all its glory.)

Posted by Steve Gray at October 27, 2006 4:58 PM

" ... change the world via our human collectivities called enterprises." YES! except if it was Trevor/John Cleese on the bridge of the Star Ship Enterprise :>]

Posted by sean at October 28, 2006 6:17 PM

Thanks for that vote of confidence Sean ... my favourite Basil Fawlty (alias John Cleese) line of all time when talking to his wife ... 'You really should go on Mastermind Dear ... Sybil Fawlty ..specialist subject - 'The Bleedin Obvious :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at October 29, 2006 7:21 PM

Sean-Trevor, I once attended one of those (stupid) meetings where people were asked who they'd like to be. Jesus got a few votes. Jack Welch, as I recall. When it came my turn, without batting an eye I replied: JOHN CLEESE. (Damn! Damn! JCleese once attended an all-day London seminar of mine--and we shook hands on creating a training video together. Scheduling madness intervened. You may know that he made a ton of incredible meeting starters, etc, through a company that I believe was called Video Arts. He sold it for a ton of $$$.)

Posted by tom peters at October 30, 2006 5:50 AM

Hi Tom

I saw many of JC - that's Cleese not Jesus Christ of course :-) - training videos during my NHS career. They are absolutely hilarious - I recommend the one on staff appraisals - absolute belly laugh. Like all of his training videos though it had a serious and powerful meaning to it. I will see if I can get hold of a copy and send it to Cathy. A guaranteed laugh â€“ pity you missed that opportunity to work with him â€“you would have made a good pair methinks.

Posted by Trevor Gay at October 30, 2006 6:36 AM