I’m a big fan of Tristan Harris and the work of the Centre for Humane Technology and I highly recommend spending some time on their website. This video really got my attention, not just for the content, but the way it was delivered – two things in particular.
Firstly, if we have an important point to make, we have to know the language of the listener and this is a great example of that. So often we want people to understand our point of view by laying it out in our own terms when we really need people to understand it in theirs. This is important professionally and personally – whether explaining to a child why they need to wash their hands before dinner or pitching a new idea at a business meeting.
Secondly, his ability to stay calm and focused in what I would expect could be an intimidating room, talking to people of power. He expresses that he’s seriously concerned in a way that is believable and could not be perceived as hype.
Kudos to Tristan and his team, here’s hoping for a better future.