EDITOR’S NOTE:

Last month… 

Joe Glover invited Dave Harland and Jo Watson and me to talk about copywriting, marketing, and creativity on The Marketing Meetup. 

A few days before going live, we all met for a quick prep session. We talked about timing, logistics. We got to know each other better. Laughed a lot. 

At one point, I asked Joe if he had any general advice… 

“Got any general advice?” I said. 

“Yes,” Joe said, “don’t give advice.” We all chuckled, xa-xa. “Instead, share your experiences, or opinions,” he said, “—that’s what I do, anyway.”

This stayed with me. I liked it. It’s disarming, I think. Makes people more comfortable. 

And speaking of making people comfortable, nobody’s better at this than Joe. He’s one of the kindest, most conscientious hosts — and people — I’ve ever worked with. So after the meetup, I asked him to share his experiences in a Micro-Interview. 

In just 362 words, Joe shares: 

• 4 questions that help him be purposeful and present in all he does…

• The book that shaped his understanding of human psychology…

• How to (usually) get the things you want…

And much more… 

Enjoy!

Thank you, Joe.

Let’s get started. 

1) “What’s your work routine?”

I would be a terrible Tim Ferris guest because I don't have one. 

The only consistent factor is a dog walk in the morning — after that, all bets are off.

While I don't have a consistent routine, my biggest drive in life recently has been to make sure I am being purposeful and present in my actions. For that reason, I ask myself four questions for any action I take...

Is this contributing to balance?
Is this contributing to a goal?
Will I be present in this action?
Does this meet a wider life purpose?

2) “What do you know about your work now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”

If you don't ask, you don't get. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of bravery. 

3) “What did your biggest professional failure teach you?”

When I entered the workforce, my only experience of business was from The Apprentice. 

I therefore thought that to be a good business person everything was about competitiveness, a 'me above others' attitude, and success being measured by money. 

It didn't take too long to disprove this theory, but these attitudes are so far from what I believe today.

4) “What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your craft’s learning curve?”

Selfish answer: The Marketing Meetup was exactly the vehicle for doing just this. 

I was conscious I wasn't learning about marketing or meeting other marketers. So, when I couldn't find a place that also catered for my introverted ways while doing these things... I created it.

5) “What book has helped you the most over your career?”

I read Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Cialdini fairly early on. 

Could I remember his lessons if you asked me now? Nope. 

But, I think it laid a basic understanding that humans are all driven by certain thoughts, needs or desires and are, therefore, very much based in psychology, too.

6) “And your parting piece of advice?”

The best piece of advice my dad gave me was 'don't give advice.'

An opinion I can share, therefore, is if you look after people, generally speaking they look after you too. Kindness goes in circles.