The Maverick We Needed
This Week:
A Tribute to a Communicator We Loved
What to Do With Content That’s No Longer Relevant
The One Thing
Before We Go…
1. Communications Lessons from Chancellor Emeritus John E. Christensen
Even if you’ve never set foot in Omaha or heard of Dr. John E. Christensen, his story offers something essential about how authentic leadership and strategic communication can move institutions and people forward. The authors of The EO Report are taking a moment to celebrate someone who greatly influenced our own work and communications style.
In the days since Chancellor Emeritus Christensen’s death on May 28, the tributes have poured in, rich in detail, full of affection, and unmistakably clear on one thing: he wasn’t just a University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) leader. He is a Maverick folk hero.
At UNO, the Maverick isn’t just a mascot, it’s a mindset. An independent thinker, unafraid to take risks. Folk heroes are forged by what they achieve and how they connect with their people. They are firmly rooted within the communities that celebrate them.
2. Lessons from the Reputation (Taylor’s Version) Album that Never Dropped
Good communicators know how to seize a cultural moment to capture attention for their brand. Great communicators sense those moments coming, prepare in advance, and are first to jump into the conversation. Amazing communicators know how to make the most of it when things don’t go according to plan — a lesson illustrated by a couple of brands when Taylor Swift made a move we weren’t expecting.
3. The One Thing
Each week, we’ll share one task that takes about five minutes to complete and can make an impact on your communications strategy.
We’re pulling from our Taylor Swift tale for today’s task.
Your Task This Week: Go through any plans that never came to fruition. Is there anything that can be used? Any content that can be created, processes that can be developed, or insights that can be recorded?
4. Before We Go…
From CBC: A Chicago newspaper prints a summer reading list. The problem? The books don't exist.
From Abby Pick on LinkedIn: Putting designs - especially faces - on anything but a flat, static surface can be an unfortunate business. It can produce the effect that is less graphic design and more deeply unsettling abstract art.
From Marketing Brew: How Facebook lost its groove.
Forward this to a Maverick communicator in your life.