"Your opinion sucks. In fact, I think you are pretty stupid too. Did I mention ugly...?" Now there's a catchy opening line. Great way to start a conversation. Ok, maybe not start a conversation, but it'll get your attention. But if that were actually the opening line of my editorial this week, how would you be feeling about me and my opinion at this point? Never mind reading that, what if I said that to your face when I first met you? In the fight for people's attention, the more noise we make with negative attracts and sensationalism, the less effective we become at accomplishing any actual outcomes. Zealotry does little to change a city without actions that share the same zeal with which the words of the original opinion were spoken. The key lies in the ability to search out the right voice which can effectively gets your point across without lashing out like a frustrated little kid. I can say that from experience based on how I was writing about my opinions a year ago to how I write and act on things today. As I have moved away from simply writing critically about downtown to actually acting on my concerns, life has become much more challenging. In other words, talk is cheap and backing up your opinions by acting on them beyond spewing words takes some of the wind out of your sails when it comes time to put your "money where your mouth is," so to speak. This is all set-up and a precursor to my sharing my opinion on the Attract and Retain Talent presentation that was delivered last week. Hang in there with me, I'll get to it I promise...
Paul Bonneville  
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