On the run from the police

I take a peek out the front window every few minutes. I pace the floor. I expect a team of police officers in riot gear and a battering ram to knock down my door at any minute.

A whole week has gone by and I’m still waiting for them. In my mind, I see them grabbing me rough around the shoulders, putting my hands behind my back and putting me in handcuffs. They escort me to the rear seat of the police cruiser. “Brian, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”

Kind of scary don’t you think? What have I done?

You want me?

My friend Wynne Leon, who writes at Surprised by Joy, has launched a new podcast, How to Share. She asked me to be one of her first guests and talk about sharing and the nuances of communication. She posted the piece, How to Share Professional Communications, last week. Every day since, I’ve been waiting for a knock. When I’m out in public, I keep my head down. I don’t look anyone in the eyes. I keep expecting someone with a badge to find me and say, “Yo, you crook, you’ve been found out.”

I’ve been a guest on five or six podcasts. I sat down several times with Wynne and Vicki Atkinson on the Heart of the Matter. I’ve also done a few others. For days after each podcast, I’ve felt like a fake — an impostor running free in a world full of experts.

I wait for someone to find me out. I run an errand or go to the grocery store to pick up a few things and I wait for someone to point at me. Like in the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes, I wait for a little kid to yell out the truth, “But he hasn’t got anything on!”

So far it hasn’t happened.

Oh, I know I’m not really an impostor. I know it’s just the tricks that we play on ourselves. I’ve worked for years in corporate communications as a writer and change manager and have a few thoughts on the best ways to communicate. But it’s still interesting to see how the brain works.

Making me look good

Oh, Wynne’s podcast is awesome. I loved chatting with her. She focuses on all the right things. There’s some great takeaways:

  • Understanding your audience is crucial for effective communication.
  • Timing can significantly impact how messages are received.
  • Repetition helps ensure that important messages are not lost.
  • Segmenting your audience allows for more targeted communication.
  • Authenticity builds trust in corporate messaging.
  • Clear and concise messaging is essential in today’s fast-paced environment.
  • Empathy plays a key role in understanding how messages are perceived.
  • Feedback loops enhance the effectiveness of communication.
  • The evolution of communication formats requires adaptation in messaging strategies.
  • Effective communication is about sharing ideas, not just delivering information.

The one thing I know I definitely added to the podcast was a strong laugh track. My laugh, which is loud enough on it’s own, is in full force.

Well wishes

I have to give Wynne a big shout out. I think she has the next great idea: focusing on how we share. It’s such a lost art. We share in the work world and at home. And when we can’t be authentic or feel uncomfortable, sharing gets lost in the process.

I know that’s the case for me. If I can’t open up to the person next to me, I instead clam up. I suspect I’m not alone.

I can’t wait to see where Wynne takes this idea. Today she’s kicking off a new podcast. I feel like tomorrow she’ll be hitting worldwide fame for sharing. She’ll do what Mel Robbins has done for helping individuals become more confident and how Brene Brown has encouraged readers to face vulnerability with courage and bravery.

Good luck Wynne. Just make sure you give me a heads-up when the police come to arrest me.

. . . .

Here are some ways you can listen and watch the full episode of Wynne’s podcast:

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35 thoughts on “On the run from the police”

  1. imposter syndrome!!! I have it too, but I’m always working to overcome it. I’ll be listening. I think I shared with you once that I went to an erma bombeck (one of my idols) writers conference. it was led by many well accomplished writers and comedians of all ilks and the resounding common thing between them was that they each said they suffered from imposter syndrome, no matter how famous or celebrated they were.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. That’s so funny Beth. I’m convinced that most of us suffer from this in one way or another. At least the writers I tend to like. I think it’s natural because we need to unveil a part of us. We need to let another person look under the hood – so to speak – and that can be a scary thing. “This is a new thing for me. What will they say.” Here’s to writing and publishing any way!!!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Your podcast was awesome, and you gave lots of good advice for corporate communications. Thinking about the audience, Thinking about what matters is very important, Thinking about the actions you want to drive… Those are so good for professional messaging.
    As your writing about feeling like an imposter – I love and I feel this. Every time I write a thing; I wait for an ‘expert’ to trash it. “It’s not good enough, it lacks something, it has too much of something, it’s terribly written, no one is interested in anything I have to say. No ‘real’ writer or blogger would write like that, who do I think I am trying to connect with people I admire, when I have nothing to offer?”… Why do I bother? And I answer myself by saying, “I’m being my authentic, honest self, which opens the door for other people to be themselves, other people who may have really fantastic ideas but afraid to speak up because of the imposter feeling”…

    Liked by 2 people

  4. I am excited about the new podcast recommendation! It sounds great. And I seem to find from the people who say they have imposter syndrome, it just means they are thinking A LOT about what they share as expert advice. And I prefer that a lot more than someone who thinks they know it all sharing stuff that’s not relevant or useful. Look forward to listening!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. You have me laughing about being on the run. Believe me, I totally know the feeling. The audacity to think that I have something to say seems criminal.

    But when I get to talk with people like you on the podcast, I know I’m in the right spot. I love this episode with you, Brian! I learn so much from you every time we talk. Thanks for giving me an amazing shout-out and plug! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I listened to the podcast and enjoyed it so much. There were many things you brought up that I enjoyed like how communication has changed through the years. I was there before desk top computers were mainstream! I’ve read interesting articles about imposter syndrome and it affects so many.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh thank you Elizabeth! We’ve talked about this …. I still remember typewriters in college. Ugh. I was horrible on them. I hated how word processors could lose content but that was a huge improvement!!! Ha ha

      Like

  7. I’m going to listen right after I drop this.
    I remember the first thing I noticed when I listened in on one of your podcasts on The heart of the Matter was your laugh. 😁

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I hear ya on the imposter syndrome, Brian. But you did a wonderful job on the podcast. Very engaging and love all the wisdom that you shared with Wynne. And I agree, great idea for a podcast and the topic is so current.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. You’re not alone with the imposter syndrome, Brian, but a clever way to get our attention! And what a great shout-out to Wynne! I always feel like I learn something new when I listen to her, Vicki, and you. And remember, a laugh track is essential! 😂

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I’m super impressed with Wynne’s dedication to podcasting and branching out in yet another new direction. And I’m honored to have been a frequent guest myself (though instead of feeling like an impostor, when I’m out in public, I’m waiting for people to ask for my autograph…sadly, this has yet to happen).

    Like

    1. I specifically told Wynne that she should have you on Mark. You know what you’re doing. Me? I’m lost. Remember the old Scooby Doo cartoons. Remember how they would chase the bad guy through a scary mansion. When they finally catch up with him, they rip off his mask to reveal the real identity of the bad guy. That’s me. Ha, ha.

      Liked by 1 person

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