Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you know it's election season in the US of A. We've experienced surprises, disappointments and occasionally elation, regardless of our political persuasion. Now, with the Republican and Democratic conventions out of the way, we know the choice that lies before us: Team Trump or Team Clinton. Red or Blue. Conservative or Liberal. But, the biggest surprise of all has been the winnowing of this contest to a political neophyte and a career politician. How did we get to this point? How is the neophyte performing as well as the expert? And, what can we learn from this election?
What differentiates humans from animals? Beyond the obvious physical traits, I would argue that our ability to imagine abstract thoughts is the spark that created our world. In our minds, we can "see" things that do not exist in the physical realm. It's pretty magical when you stop to think about it. I have never seen the dodo bird, but I know what it looked like, how it lived and what caused its extinction. I even know when it happened, thanks to the books I've read and the people I've spoken with. As for a more practical example, I use maps every day of my life on my phone. Based on these images and information, I know which way to drive to work to avoid traffic and how long my journey will take. I am a consumer of information. We all are. We are also all producers of information.
What does it take to be a successful communicator?