2. Must Reads

Must Reads

“When turmoil rules, go in.” — Lao Tzu

There is so much to read, so much to know, so many sources to follow. And the volume of news and information just keeps growing exponentially. How to keep up? Even more, how to rediscover the serendipity of learning something new and interesting for its own sake?

Here, for your enjoyment and interest, are the articles Temin and Company considers “must reads.” They are primarily on the topics of reputation and crisis management, the media, leadership and strategy, perception and psychology, self-presentation, science, girls and women, organizational behavior and other articles of interest.

They are listed below with the most recent articles first, and to the side, by category.

We hope you enjoy them and would appreciate your comments. And whenever you have any favorite articles for us to add, please let us know so that we might include them for other readers to enjoy.

There is so much to read, so much to know, so many sources to follow. And the volume of news and information just keeps growing exponentially. How to keep up? Even more, how to rediscover the serendipity of learning something new and interesting for its own sake?

Here, for your enjoyment and interest, are the articles Temin and Company considers “must reads.” They are primarily on the topics of reputation and crisis management, the media, leadership and strategy, perception and psychology, self-presentation, science, girls and women, organizational behavior and other articles of interest.

They are listed below with the most recent articles first, and to the side, by category.

We hope you enjoy them and would appreciate your comments. And whenever you have any favorite articles for us to add, please let us know so that we might include them for other readers to enjoy.

Again, thank you so, so much for all you have done

Again, thank you so, so much for all you have done not only to help us prepare for the possible forthcoming media storm, but for reaching into your amazing network to provide us with access. Not only is the business made better through your services, I picked up a year’s worth of unrivaled professional experience in the relatively short time we spend working on these matters – I learned that much from you in a matter of weeks. As I said last time, I would rather not be dealing with this crisis, but am happy to have the time working with you.”

   —Crisis Client

What Boards Must Know About Social Media

Davia Temin, The Corporate Board, May/June 2012

Someone posts a harsh item about your company on Twitter. The comment is picked up and amplified through other online venues, and the company’s stock prices take a fall—all within hours. Today’s world of social media is one where the most obscure person, company or product can overnight become a global trend, or a global villain. Is your board aware of the company’s social media strategy? For that matter, are you as a director up to speed on the new social media world?

In this age of social media, companies of all kinds find themselves at the end of the “command and control” model of leadership. Top-down communications, including those from the C-suite and the boardroom, have lost their primacy.

Today, with blogs, v-logs, Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest and social media of all kinds, everyone has a voice. More to the point, anyone can move markets if his or her voice catches on with the public.

Employees have a voice—including the employee that management fired yesterday. Your “like’rs” have a voice; your dislikers have a voice too (including all of the “I hate xx company” websites, and Facebook-facilitated boycotts). Your competitors have a voice, your shareholders have a voice, and you, as board members, have a voice as well. However, amid the cacophony, it is now exponentially more difficult to make the messages you and your company wish to convey heard.

Especially for the board, knowing how to communicate in social media (and when it is or is not appropriate) is crucial. A board’s workings are historically private and confidential, and a board tends to be heard from only when announcing a new CEO or in a serious corporate crisis.

If you’d like to read the full article, please click here (pdf).»

Show Aspiration, Not Arrogance, to Rebuild Bank Reputations

Davia Temin, American Banker, May 24, 2012

Most of us in the banking community are seeking – after the crash – to do the right thing: to rebuild trust, rebuild shareholder value, rebuild client loyalty, rebuild businesses, and rebuild lives. But as time goes on, and memories fade, perhaps we should keep on remembering that the job has not been finished, even as we are seduced by some renewed successes. “Never say what you are going to do, say what you are seeking to do.” […read more]

The Dalai Lama Told Me So — Words of Wisdom From the 2012 Templeton Prize Winner

Davia Temin, The Huffington Post, May 14, 2012

Davia relates the story of her meeting with the Dalai Lama, 2012 winner of the Templeton Prize. She shares five miracles from that day, and tells us that “…compassion for others and for oneself is the antidote – to despair, to stress, to cruelty, to evil. No matter what your religion, your spirituality, your point of view, that is a singular truth.” […read more]