Can't do that, Hal

We’ve never been more connected, and we’ve never been more at risk of missing the point. Everywhere we look - AI, automation, social platforms, smart everything - there’s a promise of efficiency: faster responses, better targeting, more data, and more reach. But none of that replaces what actually moves people. 

The kind that isn’t optimized, scheduled, or generated - the kind that happens when someone feels heard, understood, and valued. Not as a lead. Not as a click, but as a person. 

Technology has changed how we communicate, but it hasn’t changed why we communicate. We still buy from people we trust. We still remember how someone made us feel. We still choose relationships over transactions - every time. 

 Zeros and Ones 

Here’s the part that we often miss: the more digital everything becomes, the more human our brand needs become in this new world. While everyone else is scaling automation, audiences are craving authenticity. They can tell when it’s generic. 

They feel when it’s forced. And they notice when it’s real. Meta - which owns Facebook and Instagram just let go 10% of its entire workforce because of their increased investment in Artificial Intelligence. They won't be the only ones. 

AI can write our emails, build our campaigns, and even sound like us. But it can’t be us. It can’t replace our perspective, our experience, our tone, our emotions, or our relationships. It can’t replicate the trust we’ve built over time or the conversations that happen off-script. That’s our edge. 

So we use the tools, embrace the tech, and leverage AI. But we shouldn't outsource the one thing that actually differentiates us. Because in a world full of noise, relationships aren’t just important. 

 They’re everything. 

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A.I. + A.I.

We hear about AI everywhere. Chatbots, algorithms, self-driving cars – they’re changing the way we work, learn, and communicate. It’s impressive, sometimes a little intimidating, and often makes us wonder: if machines can think, what’s left for us? 

But here’s the thing – artificial intelligence can process data, predict patterns, and solve problems. Actual intelligence? That’s deeper. It’s curiosity, creativity, empathy, and the ability to connect the dots in ways no algorithm can.

The Limits of Machines

AI can crunch numbers, recognize faces, and even write essays. But it doesn’t feel. It doesn’t care about context the way we do. It doesn’t understand a joke, a story, or why a moment matters. Actual intelligence is messy, human, and unpredictable – but it’s also what makes innovation, leadership, and culture possible. Machines can assist, but they can’t replace insight, judgment, or intuition.

The future isn’t about choosing AI over us – it’s about how we use it. When artificial intelligence augments actual intelligence, we unlock new potential. We work smarter, not just harder. We ask better questions, notice patterns we might miss, and focus on the ideas that truly matter. 

Curiosity Over Automation

Our greatest advantage is our minds. Let’s stay curious, keep asking questions, and remember what makes us human. AI is powerful; actual intelligence, fueled by creativity, empathy, and awareness, is what shapes our world.

AI and AI are here to stay. The machines will get smarter and more intuitive. They are not fads and the bottle was crushed years ago. Use AI and AI as tools and allow your own input and thoughts to have a voice as well.

We live with machines; but life is built on us. ____________________________________________________________

Emotional Waistline

This is a wonderful parable I should read more often.

The story is about a man and his grandson. He reminds the young boy that we have a battle of two wolves inside of us; one that is filled with anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other wolf is filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith. The grandson then asks a simple yet critical question; "Which one wins?"

The wise man replies; "The one you feed.”
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We are What we Feed

I often go back to this story when I'm struggling with something. I'm facing a decision or a feeling and need some guidance; this powerful lesson helps immensely.

The story is about a man and his grandson. He reminds the young boy that we have a battle of two wolves inside of us - one that is filled with anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other wolf is filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith. The grandson then asks a simple yet critical question; "Which one wins?"

The older wiser man replies; "The one you feed.”
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Watch Your Diet

I often go back to this story when I'm struggling with something. I'm facing a decision or a feeling and need some guidance; this powerful lesson helps immensely.

The story is about a man and his grandson. He reminds the young boy that we have a battle of two wolves inside of us - one that is filled with anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other wolf is filled with joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith. The grandson then asks a simple yet critical question; "Which one wins?"

The older wiser man replies; "The one you feed.”
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Life Can Teach us Fear

Most of us aren't born with fear but instances in our lives can be debilitating. I've felt it many times where you don't think you can move or you aren't sure what to do next. I'm going through a transition in my life right now and fear is very real.

Of course there are times when fear is warranted; a close call on the highway, a job loss, an illness, that's real fear. But the fear of doubt and the story we tell ourselves in emotional situations is just as real.

Raghava KK is an artist who has gone through a lot in his life but has retained his childlike spirit. He explains in his TEDTalk that we need to shake up our ideas.


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Listening to Our Shame

The medical industry will tell us that stress is a killer. We worry and fret over money, our jobs, marriages, future, the list is long. The vibration of fear is around us constantly. It’s never enough; it needs to be more.

As I look closer at my own life path, I am seeing shame and judgement come up a lot and as I dig deeper, it seems to come up almost as much as stress. What is that? Well, it’s two things; fear of judgement from others and fear of judgement from ourselves. Humans are the only creatures who look back at our pasts and toward our futures, often to the detriment of our present.

I’ve had a blessed life, a fascinating career, and my share of difficult situations. Yet it’s those challenges I’ve been focused on which hold me back. That meeting went too long, I talk too fast, I should have, I didn’t, I wish I hadn’t, I didn’t make enough eye contact, I talked too much, etc.

My dad said it on a call this week; “How do your clients even know what you’re talking about, you talk too fast”. Thanks for the judgement, dad. I’ll carry that around for the next week. Actually, saying it then publishing it here is part of my journey of shedding the judgement of others, even my father.

We damage each other with our judgement; we crush ourselves with the same.

In 2011, Brené Brown shared her findings about topics we don't often like to talk about with her TEDTalk on the Power of Vulnerability. Here’s her 2012 talk about the unspoken epidemic of shame.

Be brave and watch this.


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As a passionate leader, Kneale Mann has extensive experience in project management, leadership development, business, marketing, media, and talent coaching in numerous industries and organizations including; radio, digital marketing, corporate training, real estate, financial services, healthcare and more. He is always open to meeting companies and organizations who want to become even greater.

We Aren't Born with Fear

Running a business is hard work and eyes on the revenue line must be constant. Our perspective is often the single reason we have conflict instead of collaboration.

Raghava KK is an artist who has gone through a lot in his life but has retained his childlike spirit. He explains in his TEDTalk that we need to shake up our ideas.


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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit
New Book out in 2016 – Details soon!

Feeding the Good Wolf

One evening a man told his grandson about a struggle that goes on inside people. He wanted to illustrate the internal conflict each of us has and the choices we make to navigate that battle. The story can help us in life, in business, and in ourselves.

He said; “The battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, serenity, humility, hope, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith.”

The grandson then asked; “Which wolf wins?”
The man replied; “The one you feed.”

It can be money, careers, business, friendships, every aspect of our lives; you and I have both had challenges. Some we took on and won while others felt like they were going to defeat us.

When I've felt sorry for myself and done nothing about it, the results aren't too positive. When I've asked for help - as I did with some colleagues recently - it works out better. There are times when it's not easy to feed the good wolf.

But let's keep trying!
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

Choices

One evening a man told his grandson about a struggle that goes on inside people. He wanted to illustrate the internal conflict each of us has and the choices we make to navigate that battle. The story can help us in life, in business, and in ourselves.

He said; “The battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, serenity, humility, hope, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith.”

The grandson then asked; “Which wolf wins?”
The man replied; “The one you feed.”

In our lives, careers, or businesses, the choice is up to us. 
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Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture strategist, writer, speaker, executive coach engaging leaders, collaborative teams, and strong business results.

istock

Dream Like a Child

There is no doubt the marvel of a child’s mind. It is full of possibilities and wonder. It can imagine worlds that may not exist and it doesn't limit itself by self-doubt and profits. We take art classes in grade school where we can express ourselves yet as we get older we are told to get serious and competitive.

Running a business and providing strong leadership is hard work. Our perspective is often the single reason we have conflict instead of collaboration.

Raghava KK is an artist, an idealist and a creative spirit who has gone through a lot in his life but has retained his childlike spirit.


Kneale Mann

visual credit: TED
Originally published: Sept 2011

What Do You Feed?

One evening a man told his grandson about a struggle that goes on inside people. He wanted to illustrate the internal conflict each of us has and the choices we make to navigate that battle. The story can help us in life, in business, and in ourselves.

He said - “The battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, serenity, humility, hope, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith.”

The grandson then asked - “Which wolf wins?”

The man replied - “The one you feed.”

Kneale Mann

firstpeople

Shake Up Your Ideas

There is no doubt the marvel of a child’s mind. It is full of possibilities and wonder. It can imagine worlds that may not exist and it doesn’t limit itself by self-doubt and profits. We take art classes in grade school where we can express ourselves yet as we get older we are told to get serious and competitive.

Running a business is hard work and eyes on the revenue line must be constant. Our perspective is often the single reason we have conflict instead of collaboration.

Raghava KK is an artist, an idealist and a creative spirit who has gone through a lot in his life but has retained his childlike spirit.

He explains in his TEDTalk that we need to shake up our ideas.



Kneale Mann

visual credit: TED

Two Wolves

Which One Wins?

A good friend sent this to me yesterday.

Immediately I sent to it to some other friends and thought I’d share it with you.

You may have seen this before, it's been around almost forever and it’s worth another read.


One evening a man told his grandson about a battle
that goes on inside people.

He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.”

“One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

“The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, compassion and faith.”

The grandson then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The man simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Which one do you feed?

@knealemann
marketing and social media strategy

image credit: firstpeople.us