Old School

Principle 5: I Speak Plainly

Mantra: No exaggeration. No evasion. No gossip. And frankly, no bullsh*t.

Daily Practice:

  1. Choose precision over drama. Say ‘The meeting was challenging,’ not ‘It was a disaster.’ Say ‘Revenue declined 15%’ instead of ‘Sales collapsed.’ The facts will always outweigh hyperbole.
  2. Address issues directly with the relevant people. If you have concerns about Pete’s performance, talk to Pete or their manager, not to colleagues who cannot solve anything, but the gossip and lack of real data might make things worse.
  3. Ask yourself: ‘Is this true, necessary, and kind?’ before speaking. Not every true thing needs saying, but necessary things should be said truthfully and with consideration.
  4. Plain speech builds trust faster than clever words. People relax around those who mean what they say. Clarity creates confidence but ambiguity breeds suspicion.

The remaining principles and more explained in Old School. Instant. Kindle. Budget. Worldwide.

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Paul McCartney’s Greatest Love Songs

  1. The Beatles

“And I Love Her” (1964) Perhaps the purest, most tender love song he ever wrote. Acoustic, intimate, timeless. “Here, There and Everywhere” (1966) John Lennon called it one of his favourite McCartney songs. Lush, romantic, flawless. “Michelle” (1965) The French-tinged melody and the line “I love you, I love you, I love you” sung in three languages. Irresistible. “I Will” (1968) A delicate White Album gem. Simple, devoted, perfect. “P.S. I Love You” (1963) An early classic that shows the gift was there from the very start. “Things We Said Today” (1964) Slightly melancholic, but deeply romantic in its own understated way.

  1. Wings

“Maybe I’m Amazed” (re-recorded live with Wings) Originally solo but became a Wings anthem. Raw, aching devotion to Linda. One of his greatest ever. “My Love” (1973) Soaring, orchestral, and unashamedly sentimental. A massive hit for a reason. “Silly Love Songs” (1976) His defiant answer to critics who mocked his romanticism. “Every Night” (Band on the Run era) Quietly beautiful and deeply personal. “C Moon” (1972) Breezy, joyful, Linda-inspired charm.

  1. Solo

“Maybe I’m Amazed” (1970, McCartney) The original studio version. Written for Linda during the Beatles' collapse. Arguably the most emotionally raw thing he ever recorded. “The Back Seat of My Car” (1971) Operatic, ambitious, and romantically defiant. “No More Lonely Nights” (1984) A gorgeous ballad, somewhat underrated. “From a Lover to a Friend” (2001) Underrated, reflective, emotionally complex.

“Here, There and Everywhere” is-in my view-the most perfectly crafted love song of his career.

Go re-listen!

A Decision Is Not a Decision Until You Take an Action

…..it was a tough meeting towards the end of a tough week and you really want to get away on time as it’s your son’s birthday party and the meeting is dragging and that endless long tail of trying to finish is going on and on and you need to reply to that text your husband has sent you and suddenly the organiser says…..

‘Cool. We are there. Sorry, that took a while, guys. Just to confirm, we’ve decided that Conglomerates will now be managed by South and no longer by West.’

Everybody waits. Can they escape? The organiser continues.

‘So, can I just get confirmation that everybody agrees?’ Everybody looks down and nods. That wasn’t a decision. That was a conversation.

A decision requires: o A specific action. o A person responsible. o A deadline. If those three elements aren’t defined before you leave the meeting, you haven’t decided anything. You’ve just talked. And you have just wasted the whole investment.

For example, This is not a decision: “We should launch the new website.” This is a decision: “James will hire a developer by February 15th and launch the new website by April 30th.”

Action: never leave a decision without knowing-and recording and someone owning-the action.

The Companion Series

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The Old School Principles. A re-boot. A back to basics. Boost your career, beat AI. How to be a StoryTeller. Everybody loves a story. For writers and keynoters and brand leaders. Do Less to Achieve More. Possible the most powerful productivity principle. Daily MEDS: the breakthrough strategy for wellness. The Tools of Excellence. How to be Brilliant through choice of device or concept or strategy. How to Beat ChatGPT. Or How Not to Say, AI took My Job.

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The Way to Beat AI

is to never be artificial. Is to be the best version of you. Is to be the human which has become hidden by screens, interrupts and coffee shops.

Go be human.