Our little disappointments made a BIG splash ...

First, let me say it's been super knowing you. I've enjoyed writing this weekly ditty to put a spring in your step on a Sunday evening (or Monday morning for those of you who save it to brighten up the first day of your working week). If, as I suspect, I am about to be offered a regular column with a national daily, I doubt I will have time in the future. I'll miss you*.

Let me explain.

I went VIRAL

Without telling the whole tale again from the needle to the thread (as my mum would say), on Wednesday I found myself getting in a real tizzy about the way in which people who are natural introverts often lose out to the more extroverted types who come across as more confident.

This was all triggered by a candidate being rejected at second interview because she came across as "nervous" and the fear was that she wouldn't be able to stand up to the Board. My frustration was that this perception wasn't tested, for example, by asking her to provide examples of where she'd done exactly that (she has plenty).

Anyway, with literally 9 minutes to spare until I had to leave to catch the tube, I did three things:

1. Poured my heart out to anyone who would listen, here on LinkedIn with a post that began "Had a very disappointing experience this week ..."
2. Found a photo of Tanja and I to go with the post (partly since she shared in my disappointment but also because I am savvy enough to know that readers like a photo)
3. Popped in a link to an article by Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking

Pressed send, grabbed my bag and went off to change the world.

Ping ping ping ping ping.

Turns out LinkedIn is FULL of introverts, who are obviously absolutely FUMING at being overlooked. That post currently has almost 250,000 impressions and 50 reposts.

Either that or people just really like to read about other people being disappointed ... rather than successful. Or both.

I'm pretty sure that I will finally be noticed and that I'll be getting a tap on the proverbial shoulder first thing Monday morning. Or maybe not.

Going Home

My ankle is on the mend, which meant we were able to make the planned trip to Yorkshire. Stayed in a beautiful little village on the edge of the North York moors and caught up with old friends. We also took a trip to Castle Howard (in case you were thinking this was my family home).

The whole thing made me very nostalgic. We went to a restaurant where everyone had to choose their own starters and main, which I have to say threw me, being more used to the "Do you understand the concept of our restaurant, it's all about sharing plates, I recommend you choose four or five per person so don't be surprised if the bill at the end comes will into three figures apiece .." sort of ethos.

Also felt a bit out of place fashion wise as no-one had sent me the "sturdy thighs, checked shirt, long woolly socks" memo.

I must say, it's quite a look. I think they sell the socks in Goodhood. Just been on their website and it's definitely the same sort of vibe.

There's your Autumn look for you, right there.

Autumn Survival Guide

Speaking of Autumn, I noticed the papers were doing their usual "guides" to Autumn, heavily sponsored by brands who want you to buy more stuff that you don't actually need and which you probably have a version of anyway.

Like a coat, for example. No-one is likely to suddenly realise they've managed for thirty years without a coat. And no-one in their right minds is going to go out and buy one of those ridiculous coats they're peddling now with a scarf attached. Or a cape. No-one is going to rush out and buy a cape because capes are silly. As my friend Jenni once pointed out "No-one suggests you give a wall a new cape of paint, do they."

So here is my own suggestion for Autumn.

• Socks. Socks gather holes and unless you're up for darning, you will be needing a new pair. I have actually road-tested these. They have the ridiculous name Goodhood Worldwide Space Dye sock and they cost £15. Cosy as ... Well worth it.

• A polo neck. You don't need a picture of a polo neck. You can't beat a lovely polo neck.
• A cracking tome to read. The sort of book that's 20 hours on Audible, or a series that will keep you going forever. Something to lose yourself in for a LONG time, now that it's dark from 4.30 and most TV is pretty rubbish. A few recommendations:
• The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
• The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
• The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard
• The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

All big, door stopper books.

• Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst - not because it's a doorstopper but because it's tremendous. I won't spoil it for you but it's the story of a life and, like life itself, it lingers through the early years before time leaps ahead as the character ages. Poignant and thought provoking, especially for those of us who might feel we're approaching the Autumn of our lives. Gosh that bit was sad. Ignore that.

Who's Training Who

I had a call this week with someone whose business is all about improving the "soft skills" of "young people" in business, the theory being that because of the pandemic, WFH etc etc, they haven't acquired the communication and other skills they might have otherwise have honed by now.

We had a great chat but I think they may be looking in the wrong place.

In my recent, albeit limited, experience, those Gen Z folks pretty well have communication nailed. They know exactly what platform to use for different types of information, they can operate their phones with MULTIPLE fingers and thumbs and they are adept at keeping things concise. They don't waffle, they tell you what they want you to hear and they are used to dealing with people (each other) with extremely short attention spans.

Perhaps its more senior people in business who could do with help communicating with them, rather than the other way round. Just a thought.

The Cultural Slot

I'm reading: Brideshead Revisited. Of course I am. Bought it at Castle Howard

I'm watching: Brideshead Revisited on ITV Player

I'm listening to: Brideshead Revisited narrated by Jeremy Irons.

I'm eating: A nice little bit of Wensleydale. Hard to find in London. Can't escape it in Helmsley

I got in: to Goodbye Horses. Word of warning - it's a wine bar. Do not go expecting a foodie experience. The cheese toastie is great, the wine is better.

Also don't expect it EVER to look like this. The place was heaving.

*PS. Only joking. The dailies couldn't afford me. I'll be back next week, same time, same place. A bientot!