Random Somersaults features storytelling based around themes spurred by personal and professional experiences and thoughts that represent a broad range of topics with a few random, yet relevant, detours. What is your brand? How do you define yourself, personally and professionally? Most importantly, are you true to yourself? The barriers that once thwarted personal expression, engagement, and controlling one’s role among a team are tumbling in a work culture that is being redefined. Acceptance, diversity, and ability of “being yourself,” even it requires vulnerability, are front and center in the evolution, or should I say, “revolution” of the workforce. My “brand” has progressed in that I tend not to blur the line between my professional persona and my personal self. This allows me to present the full me. This blog is a space where I blend a variety of thoughts that hopefully provides a glimpse into a way of thinking. The best value, and a differentiator, of Fierle Strategic Communications is the fact that I invest deep and thorough critical thought into every client. We gather a vast amount of information so as to understand the broader picture before condensing the messaging and presenting it in a clear, concise and effective manner. My personal interactions follow the same game plan. Once not long ago, I had a friend who kiddingly asked if I was a reporter because of my series of questions in our conversation. It’s my personality to take interest in others to gain a truer understanding of who they are. I find it fascinating to learn what makes someone tick. I am always particularly drawn to individuals who are authentic, selfless, and void of a facade. Their “brand” is about being themselves without false pretenses or alternative motives. There is something spreading across the world and its reach has recently grown exponentially. I am not immune, nor is my wife. In fact, often our first conversation of the day centers around what five-letter word we are going to use in our one of six attempts to solve the daily Wordle! The purity of purpose behind this popular online word game that has gone viral is the real story. A software engineer by the name of Josh Wardle from Brooklyn, and native of Wales, created the addicting game for his partner who loves word games. Soon they were playing in a family group chat and before long he launched a website for the game. It started with an audience of around 90 players last fall and now has two million people who play. It is not an app. It doesn’t have pop-up ads. And, it's free! "I don't understand why something can't just be fun. I don't have to charge people money for this and ideally would like to keep it that way," Wardle shared in an interview with BBC Radio. He purposely designed it to be something that doesn’t command much of your time other than a few minutes daily which is perfect for anyone with short attention spans! Unlike most things in our digital world where we are often glued to an electronic device, you can only play Wordle once per day. Part of its growth in popularity can be traced to a user in New Zealand who tweeted her results and the frequency of sharing one’s performance on Twitter took off. Again, I am not immune. Nicole Carpenter, a senior reporter for Polygon (@Polygon) perhaps sums it up best, “Wordle’s charm is in the excitement of waking up every day to a new word — not to mention the joy of bragging about your score on social media.”
Wardle has no vision of commercializing Wordle. He is satisfied with simply sharing some fun with others across the globe. I am a fan of the Wardle “brand.” In times like these that can feel chaotic and overwhelming, the feel-good story of this fad is a refreshing change of pace. Another great story is the popularity of arguably the finest series in television history, “Ted Lasso.” I have yet to meet anyone who has watched the show that doesn’t rave about it.
Now back to “Ted Lasso” and I promise you my reference to a scene in Season 2, Episode 5 titled “Rainbow” will not be a spoiler for you.
The scene, which had some foreshadowing a couple of episodes earlier, starts when Leslie Higgins’ cell phone rings. His ringtone for his wife Julie is “She’s a Rainbow” by The Rolling Stones. It spurs a conversation in which Rebecca asks Higgins how he met his wife. (Photo: Apple TV+) The exchange ends when Rebecca curiously inquires, “How did you put yourself across? You know, what was your brand?”
To which Higgins wonderfully responds in a thoughtful but matter of fact way, “I suppose the best brand is just being yourself.” I think there could be no better advice in life!
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WHY "RANDOM SOMERSAULTS?""Random Somersaults"
features storytelling based on themes spurred by personal and professional experiences and thoughts that represent a broad range of topics with a few random, yet relevant, detours. It is a terrific way to get to know Pete Fierle as you gain insight into how he processes information through this less formal and creative style of writing. The blog has been described as “fun and informative” and “what fun to meander through ideas and streams of consciousness.” AuthorPete Fierle has a love for all mediums but a special affinity for the written word (that flows from a keyboard or fountain pen) as a powerful platform for storytelling. ARCHIVEBe sure to check out the archives and roll through past posts for a variety of topics and stories.
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