Sharon O'Dea
@sharonodea
Consulting, writing and speaking on comms, collaboration & future of work. Cofounder, Lithos Partners. Author, Digital Communications at Work. Gym bore. Gets about a bit.
Half a decade since my only experience riding in an ambulance. 0/10, do not recommend slashing your leg open in a swimming pool.
What mundane things has Trump ruined for you? For me it’s the word Tremendous, and the number 47. I’ll instinctively swerve this locker at the gym.
Walking through the Pride Zero Flags Project on Museumplein. Each flag marks one of the countries where homosexuality is still criminalised, every pole ribboned in mourning, every plinth naming the penalty. A sobering reminder that for too many worldwide, the fight for rights remains existential.
Very much enjoying how everyone has given Trump a perfunctory handshake and moved on to actual warmth from everyone else on stage
In ‘24 I had nine months between invoicing for the work and actually getting paid *by a public sector org*. I had to pay six freelancers for four months of their work. I just about managed to pay the VAT without my business going bust and had to use my savings to pay my mortgage.
Watching my brilliant business partner @digitaljonathan.bsky.social be awarded an honorary doctorate by Bristol University. Proud of you, Jon!
The weather sucks balls for three quarters of the year but my God on warm summer’s evening Amsterdam is the best fuckin’ place on earth
If I had a venue based around the number 55, I’d probably avoid pairing it with the Greek letter π. But you do you, babes.
If you’re wondering what a six-vehicle pile up looks like in human form, it’s Reform UK Spokescrash Laila Cunningham.
If I’d spent a decade and tens of millions keeping a spreadsheet of my wanks in an attempt to live longer, I’d probably keep quiet about getting an incurable disease at 48 out of sheer embarrassment tbh.
I’m calling it: we have finally passed peak That Uniqlo Bag. Am at a festival and while last year about one in three people seemed to be carrying one, this year people have moved on.
Turns out the last 18 months of disappearing into hotel rooms, airport lounges and coffee shops occasionally produced something useful. Digital Communications at Work is out today 🎉 It’s about designing comms channels that help people get their work done, instead of getting in the way of it.
I picked up my actual book for the first time. And cried like a twat. (You can buy yours at your favourite physical or digital bookstore. If you have a big cry maybe just keep that to yourself.)
I'm starting to wonder if AI is programmed to get things gloriously wrong on basic errors now and again just to remind you not to rely on it.
First sighting of my book in the wild! (I don’t have a copy myself yet) I *might* have had a little cry. It’s the heat.
Heatwave tip: freeze the ice packs that come with your grocery delivery. Pop them under your pillow. Then if you’re hot in the night you can just flip your pillow over and it’s blissfully cool
OH GOD I was going to go to the beach but it’s too hot and I have work to catch up on. Possibly while sitting in a cold bath
Breaking: supporters have started arriving ahead of the launch of Digital Communications at Work. Analysts remain divided on the decision to play Governance at Ch 6. Yet history suggests championships are won by competent defences. Pre-order: www.digitalcommunicationsatwork.com/buy-the-book 🧡📚⚽
Ten years ago today, thought we were facing a tough night but would just squeak it. Instead it’s been a solid decade of disappointments.
Round here (Amsterdam) I swear the same furniture moves around all the flats for staging pics. Every flat on Funda has the same sofa, the same shelves with the same arthouse books.
I’m on my way to Toronto for IABC World Conference, where someone made the brave decision to schedule my keynote for 8am.
Lowe doing his bit for community relations over in the hellsite by not knowing Northern Ireland is not in Britain.