Upside Lead

25/06/2026

Of communication officers being a jack of all trades and expected to be masters of all...
I have seen this discussion on many online platforms elsewhere, so I said I should also add my voice as well.
Nowadays, it is increasingly becoming common to see this kind of job ads 'Communication and Human Resources Officer' or 'Communication and Administration Officer' etc.
Then the description of the role goes like 'HR, administration, logistics, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, protocol, resource mobilization, create content, manage social media, media relations, projects monitoring and evaluation, take photos, shoot and edit videos, design publications, write speeches, organize events, facilitate workshops, serve as an MC, manage websites, monitor results, prepare reports, take meeting minutes, coordinate stakeholders, support executives, manage knowledge products, ensure branding compliance, and even carry banners and visibility materials to events, and the list goes on ending with the famous phrase 'and any other assigned duties'!

At that point, it is no longer a single role being advertised here rather an entire department, if not several, compressed into one job title.
However, this should not be the case. Nowadays, communications has become one of the most specialized professions in modern organizations. Yet it is often treated as the catch-all function for everything that does not fit anywhere else!
Perhaps it is time we recognized communication professionals not as 'jacks of all trades' but as strategic experts who help institutions communicate clearly, engage meaningfully, build trust, and demonstrate impact.

(Credits: Emmanuel Kihaule)

17/06/2026

In his book, Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking, journalist Mehdi Hasan breaks down rhetorical "b***y traps" to expose opponents using their own words, while warning debaters on how to survive and counter the rapid-fire "Gish Gallop".
Here's Mehdi, putting a display of his 'self-crafted master class'.

17/06/2026

*Worker types are typically categorized by "collar" colors, which represent the nature of their tasks, work environments, and skill levels.*
*White-Collar*: Salaried professionals who perform managerial, administrative, or analytical tasks in office environments. Examples: Accountants, lawyers, software developers, and executives.
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Blue-Collar: Workers who engage in skilled or unskilled manual labor, often in trades, manufacturing, or construction. Examples: Electricians, plumbers, mechanics, and factory operators.
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Gray-Collar: Workers whose jobs fall between white and blue-collar. They mix physical labor with technical expertise. Examples: IT professionals, first responders, and healthcare technicians.
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Pink-Collar: Service-oriented jobs typically associated with customer care, hospitality, and traditionally women-dominated roles. Examples: Nurses, teachers, and receptionists.
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Green-Collar: Professionals focused on the environment, sustainability, and green technology. Examples: Solar panel technicians and conservationists.
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Niche & Emerging Categories
Gold-Collar: Highly specialized professionals whose high-value skills and intellectual work command top-tier compensation. Examples: Specialized surgeons, high-stakes corporate attorneys, or top-tier engineers.
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New-Collar: Workers trained for high-tech roles via alternative pathways like coding boot camps, vocational certifications, or apprenticeships, rather than traditional four-year degrees.
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Red-Collar: Employees who work for the government or civil service branches.
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No-Collar: Workers who are completely independent or unconventional. They are not bound by traditional corporate structures. Examples: Freelancers, gig-economy workers, and artists.
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Chrome or Steel-Collar: Refers to the robots or automated systems taking over manual or industrial tasks

06/06/2026

Speak Like a Pro: 6 Frameworks for Powerful Public Speaking

Great speakers don’t just talk — they structure.
Here are six frameworks that turn ideas into impact 👇

(Credit: Natan Mohart)

ABT Framework (And–But–Therefore)
The formula for flow and emotional contrast.

- And: Establish common ground or context.
- But: Introduce the problem or tension.
- Therefore: Deliver your key insight or solution.
Use for: keeping your audience engaged through story tension and smooth resolution.

Golden Circle (Simon Sinek)
Start with “Why” to inspire action.

- Why: The deeper purpose that drives you.
- How: The unique way you bring it to life.
-What: The product, service, or result you create.
Use for: framing your message around purpose, not just proof.

Story – Lesson – Action (Nancy Duarte)
How to turn stories into transformation.

- Story: Share a relatable moment.
- Lesson: Highlight a key takeaway.
- Action: End with a clear next step.
Use for: delivering insights that stick through storytelling.

Problem – Solution – Impact (Dan Heath)
The backbone of persuasive speaking.

- Problem: Define the challenge.
- Solution: Present your fix or idea.
- Impact: Show what changed.
Use for: explaining how your idea solves real problems.

STAR Method
Build trust through real experiences.

- Situation: Set the context.
- Task: Define your responsibility.
- Action: Explain what you did.

Result: Share the outcome.
Use for: presenting authentic examples that prove your credibility.

Hero’s Journey (Joseph Campbell)
The emotional arc every audience loves.

From the Call to Begin → Facing the Trials → Sharing the Wisdom.
Use for: crafting emotionally resonant talks that leave listeners changed.

Great communication isn’t about speaking more - it’s about speaking with structure and purpose.

05/05/2026