Long before the founders of Pintrest were even born, Madeleine Albright was fashioning her own version of "pin it" -- only with jeweled brooches to wear on her attire. Once she became secretary of state, the wearing of a pin had become her signature.
Albright noticed that foreign diplomats paid attention to her jewels, so she started intentionally wearing pins that symbolized something she wished to communicate. Examples: a dove with its nose pointed down after Americans were shot down near Cuba; a dove during peace negotiations, a serpent after Saddam Hussein called her one, a giant bug to protest the "bugging" that was discovered in the State Department and a wasp when she needed to deliver a stinging message.
At the time, George Bush's "read my lips" saying was quite popular, so Albright modified it to "read my pins" and encouraged the press corps and diplomats to do so. Her catch phrase is now the title of her book and a traveling exhibit, extending her messages far beyond the moment she wore them.
Over the weekend, I went to see the exhibit*. It contains a mix of costume jewelry, the finest jewels and even a homemade pin from her daughter when she was five years old. Nearly 200 pins were accompanied by a story of when she wore them and the message she was trying to convey. It was a time capsule of U.S. history by looking at the contents of her jewelry box.
Albright was very intentional about using her pins -- something that she already had and cherished -- to send a message. What is it about you that could be used to convey subtle meanings and a deliberate symbol? Is it what you write with -- or on? Is it something that you wear or how you wear it? For example, are you a watch aficionado to symbolize how much you value time and promptness? Do you write with a large signature to be seen like John Hancock?
If you are intentional, you can communicate powerful messages through subtle symbols. Take a lesson from Madeline Albright and find a way to underscore your point without words.
-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com
*at the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids
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