A new format for the newsletter - let me know what you think!
The Happy Medium Guide to Solving Any Problem.
Not to give away my trade secrets but this is how you can solve any problem in your business.
Problem Solving Mini sessions are coming soon. Subscribe here or head to happymedium.au to learn more.
Inspiration
Protecting your craft from your business
On Wednesday night, along with the GOLDEN team, I went and saw Michael Anastassiades talk at Mobilia’s Design Circus event at the NGV. Fascinating and inspiring, Anastassiades walked us through decades of his work.
He mentioned that for a long time he worked as a yoga instructor to make money while his brand was in it’s early phases and reflected on the value of protecting your art and craft from the commerciality of business while it’s still finding it’s voice.
He went on to share how even when doing collaborations with big brands, he never takes a brief, rather presents his idea as a gift to be elaborated on. Even if this gift doesn’t match with their original intended collaborator (maybe they don’t get it or aren’t ready for it) they may be right for someone else down the track.
My Flashback on the New Yorker’s Birthday, by Tina Brown
A wild and candid ride. You feel like you’re in the passenger seat while Brown turns around a dwindling New Yorker. The determined execution of her vision is so inspiring, accompanied by all these literary characters, it’s definitely the most engaging business story I’ve read in a while.
Unexpected Proposals - Hernan Herdez
Love a strong idea executed in a fresh, unexpected way. More on their instagram.
Quick ideas
Trust is the ultimate efficiency hack
Teams that trust each other move faster. This is because you’re not wasting any mental energy wondering whether your teammate’s motives align with yours or if they know what they are doing. Trust is built by consistency and competency. To build trust, be reliable, diligent and good at what you do.
Strategy is great but execution is everything
Coming up with the strategy is the easy (and honestly, fun) part. There is a skill to it for sure but the value of a good strategy is only realised in execution. Being able to strategise but not execute is an unhelpful combination in an increasingly tight market.
Tell me what you think of this new format!
I hope you enjoy it, but I’d love to hear your feedback either way.
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Further Reading
Stay tuned for Part 3 of Why Problem Solving is the Most Critical Skill for 2025, coming soon. Catch up on Part 1 & Part 2 or revisit some inspiration.
January Inspo Round Up
I’m often fascinated by how two opposite ideas can be equally successful in different contexts. In the same way that “knowing things is hard,” a successful strategy in one situation won’t necessarily work in another.