Cartoon Therapy, Ted Lasso on Leadership, & Storytelling
RWL #410
Greetings from The University of New Hampshire! (If The Ohio State can do it…) We presented our upper class students with portfolios last week so when we take them to professional events, they can all show up looking extra professional. Of course when I gave them out to the seniors and then said I wanted to take a picture, they all groaned, “Why didn’t you tell us we were going to take a picture?” To which I responded, “You should know by now that you are likely to have your picture taken in my class at any given point!” They were good sports about it. Don’t they look happy?
This year was the first year we gave them portfolios while they were still students. In the past we’ve given these as graduation gifts from the Department. Going forward, we are going to make the presentation of the portfolios as a symbolic crossing into the core of the HMP undergraduate experience, which really begins junior year as we inundate them with core major coursework as well as begin to prepare them for their professional debut as interns. Traditions are good for marking boundary crossings and empowering young people. Civilian life doesn’t have enough of them.
On to the links! As usual, willing good for all of you!
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Read
What: NYT, How ‘Inside Out’ and Its Sequel Changed Therapy
Why: I enjoyed Inside Out, and I have to admit I haven’t seen Inside Out 2 yet, but by Box Office sales, it’s the highest grossing animated film ever, so it must have something going for it. . What I liked about the first film was the core message that all feelings have a place: “All of that helped them conceptualize one thing mental health professionals love about the films: that they don’t villainize any feelings.” That’s something my wife and I talked to our own kids, especially when it was clear they were getting messages that depression and anxiety were somehow abnormal. Negative emotions are a natural part of everyday life. I’m looking forward to seeing Part 2.
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Watch
What: Charisma on Command, Ted Lasso’s Guide For Making People Respect You (18 min)
Why: TLW and I loved Ted Lasso (we kind of don’t want a season 4, which is apparently a possibility, for fear that they will screw it up). If you haven’t watched the series yet, you really should. It really does have some great leadership lessons. Yes, it’s fiction, but it hits some serious wisdom. Persistence. Generosity. Love, as defined by willing good for another. This short video does a good job highlighting some of those lessons, like “celebrate other people’s wins”.
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Listen
What: Knowledge Project, The Storytelling Expert: How to Speak so That Everyone Listens (120 min)
Why: The Spoon of Power. Listen to the first 15 minutes of the pod to hear the story of The Spoon of Power (like The Ohio State, but better). Seriously, this is a great discussion of how to make engaging oral presentations. Set aside the fru-fru storytelling (insert dancing fairies) descriptor. This is excellent advice about how to communicate effectively and hold an audience’s attention.