Summer reading has prompted me to share the following thought. I think we can all agree that two important concepts in business are “communication” and “response.” Both words have a noun and a verb form, and to communicate well and to respond quickly are important skills to develop. Bis dat qui cito dat, say the Latins. Without good, clear, crisp, unambiguous communication, and timely responsiveness, business comes to a standstill. Another important concept is “nudge.” In this case the same word is both a noun and verb. To learn to nudge (or to give a nudge) without being a noodge is a good skill to develop. People respect a thoughtful nudge from time to time, but disdain an annoying noodge. It’s a distinction with a difference. To nudge and not to noodge, that is the . . . goal. The book of the same name by Thaler and Sunstein is an excellent read, and a great companion to one of my favorite books, “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman. (Read Kahneman first.) Enjoy the rest of the summer–on this I promise not to nudge or noodge you.
Nudge, Don’t Noodge
