Musings from the CU Suite

Written by Anthony Demangone

The written word has been a big part of my life. I penned a column for Penn State's Daily Collegian.  The Lewistown Sentinel.  And I've started two blogs here at NAFCU. 

One of these days, I'll get it right.  But not today. 

A reader took the time to send me a nice note recently.  It certainly fit into the category of "constructive feedback." Here's what she wrote:

I am an avid Musings reader. Most of the time you make the grade. But, today you missed the mark.

I debated offering feedback. But in the spirit of today's post, I decided, were I you I would want to hear it.

Reflective questions, first. How would you characterize your average reader? Who do you want as a reader? And, most importantly, what is your overarching goal?

I ask this to frame feedback. Perhaps you might want to know the in depth sports analogies can be exclusive to the good old boys club. As can references to deeper voices and bald heads. A bit of the male gender lens is OK. Too much seems dismissive. Far from what the credit union movement is about. 

Clearly, to this reader, I was dismissive in my writing.  Was I?  I didn't think so.  But it doesn't matter what I think. I called her, and we had a wonderful chat about the blog, among other things.  

When I first started writing, such notes or conversations would ruin my day.  I remember stewing over letters-to-the-editor, emails, and hand-written notes that critiqued my writing. 

I've grown to love them.  Here's why:

Writing, life, and just about anything else is improved by experience, learning, and generally rolling around in the "mud" that life offers.  I never write to offend.  To mislead. Or to sound dismissive.  But if you create things long enough, eventually you will step out on a ledge that gives way.  

Every time that ledge gives way, I've become better. 

The reader mentioned something that really struck me.  While I have my own "world view," it is mine, and mine alone.  Each person has their own world view. And it flows from their life.  Their experiences. And no two are the same.  

If you want to lead people, that is important to remember.

Her feedback and our conversation, broadened my world view.  Most good conversations do. Now, will I stop writing about sports, or things that I find interesting?  Of course not. But I've tucked her feedback away into my life experience.  And I'm the better for it. 

Have feedback for me?

• I'm on Twitter at @ademangone.
• Visit the Musings Facebook page. 
• Email me at ademangone @ nafcu.org

Have a great week, guys.

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I'll be in Asheville, North Carolina this week for NAFCU's Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee conference.  If you'll be there, or know someone who will, let me know.  I'd love to meet you/them. 

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Five years ago last Friday, I married my sweetheart.  This is one of my favorite pictures of the day, taken late into the evening.