Katie Dreke.
What a woman.
Actually that’s bollocks, what a person.
I first met her in a dodgy cafe in Amsterdam in 2010.
For some reason we hit it off immediately. Of course, when I say ‘for some reason’ I am obviously referring to the shock that she seemed to enjoy my company because it’s obvious I would enjoy hers.
Anyway, apart from being whip smart, she’s stupidly lovely, utterly charming and generous to a fault … both in her time, her viewpoints and her willingness to help.
Every time I’ve met her, I’ve come away feeling energised for the experience – and frankly I am basically a platonic groupie.
Jesus, this is more Gwyneth Paltrow Oscar Speech than a Gwyneth Paltrow Oscar Speech … which is probably more embarrassing for her than it is for me.
Anyway, the reason I am writing this is because of two things.
The first was that I recently re-watched her interview on Junior Planner [a wonderful little series co-run by a ridiculously lovely guy called Ben] that was full of genuinely meaningful advice for someone starting out in a planning career.
The other was this:
Yes I know it’s just a nice turn of phrase.
Yes I know it could be a remake of the classic Churchill quote.
But that’s not what makes it good … it’s the fact that Katie can articulate a point in a way people don’t just understand – but actually feel – and for all the pseudo-intellectulism bullshit that planners desperately try to claim they have, real smarts are when you can get people outside the industry to come on the journey with you.
For me, there’s a bunch of planners who have forgotten what success is.
Too many are focusing on being intellectually victorious, rather than emotionally resonant … and the point is, if you’re desperate to show how clever you are, you’re actually showing you’re not very smart.
So here’s to Katie … one of the best people out there, who also happens to be one of the best planners out there.
Thank you for the inspiration and please reassure your husband, I’m harmless.