My friend Lisa Suennen, aka @VentureValkyrie, wrote a thought-provoking response to the framework I shared a few weeks ago. She says she’s adding a cynical point of view. I’d say she’s adding much-needed salt.
The whole post is worth your time to read, so please do click through.
Here’s an appetizer:
“Susannah asked for feedback about this framework and here’s mine – it’s not cynical enough; economics and open-mindedness (lack of prejudice?) are missing from the equation that fills the lower left quadrant of this chart.
It is pretty clear that ‘People in Power – and who they are may vary in different situations – sometimes do not help because they do not know how. But there are also many situations, I would contend, where they do not help or don’t care to help because: 1) they do not believe it will be profitable for them; or, 2) they do not believe the conditions are “real problems” that warrant help and resources. Sadly, these characterizations explain the presence of too many of the items in that dreaded lower left quadrant, as well as some that are missing, such as certain autoimmune disorders and Lyme disease…”
Her expansion of the lower-left quadrant is particularly useful (and I’ll likely use it – with credit – in my book). Thanks, Lisa!
Image: “Salt Trial” by Salih IGDE on Flickr.
To your response Lisa to Susannah’s great piece on her framework on “Whose Needs Aren’t Met” , I have to agree with Lisa Suennen as to the breadth of reasons why needs may not be met. (Don’t knock cynicism by the way, a healthy does keeps everyone all the more vigilant.) I would suggest that there is yet another category that would fit between Lisa and Susannah where you have individuals who don’t want to know, because if they did, they would be compelled to do some and they either don’t have the time, funds, personnel or related resources to do something; so better to keep their heads in the sand. And sadly, this is something that is not as common as you would hope, having heard it from prospective clients when discussing communication/ outreach solutions.
Thanks, Howard! In writing “individuals” do you mean people who know they are sick or experiencing odd symptoms but stick their heads in the sand because they don’t want to face a possibly significant diagnosis?
And did you mean to write “sadly, this is something that is not as UNcommon as you would hope…”?
Actually, I meant to reference both, meaning both those who are ill (and understandably have this fear of what may portend) and those who could help them. And yes, as to my typo, it did mean it is not as uncommon.
(Clearly I need more vigilance on my comments, at least on a Monday morning anyway. Thanks)
Well, I called my child by my dog’s name this morning, so let’s both get some more coffee 🙂
… I will take that as great prescriptive advice 😉 …