Skip to main content

How I did not get published

Last week I got asked to write a piece by the Financial News, related to fundraising for remote causes (vs. local).  Though I did not say much, I was so excited. After all these years, here was my very first op-ed, about a theme I definitely had something to say. 650 words to speak my mind and also bring to the world a bit more about ALG. 
I was asked to write the article following my participation in the FN Extra Mile 40 list, for which I got nominated a few months back. This is a new list published by the FN, highlighting the service of people working in the city in multiple fronts - from giving, to doing, fundraising and the like. I was (naturally) in the doers list but I have been keeping a profile on the nomination.  Other than the front page on MS Today, not much of the world knew about it. In time, I believe the list will grow similar to Top 50 Influential Women in Finance, but until then, I am just proud to have been on it. 
Anyway, back to the article. Kimbal Musk was the guest speaker for the event, and had some controversial statements that I appreciated for honesty (full interview published this week on the FN).  Along the interview, the FN asked me to write about one of the key points of controversy, and to be controversial. After my first draft of blunt though nice honesty, the confrontation did not make it through scrutiny of Corporate Affairs.  I did explain we ended in very good terms and Mr. Musk even came to me after the Q&A but there is just to much risk about speaking one's mind.  Amongst one of my most difficult periods at work, I really did not put up a fight.  Moreover, I tend to be an understanding employee and I know why the draft was going through so many changes in one out of 7 paragraphs.... So I let it go, and God knows how sad I was when the FN said the way it was worded was not controversial enough and they gave up on the op ed as they knew I would not be allowed to be any more controversial.  
I was that close to get published... I guess I could put my piece here. I will probably give it a few more weeks (and check my employment contract) before I do so, I always have the hope it can perhaps make its way to some publication... 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Time is what makes us different

I heard what is likely to become one of my top 3 favourite quotes on a podcast on Friday. "Time is the only real democratic asset. We are all awarded the same time, it is what we do with it that distinguishes us".  Now, I recognise that most of us need to work with survive and that is not democratic throughout. But on an equal opportunity basis, this is an interesting way of putting it. For many years I did not understand why MS thought my resume was so interesting. In fact, they chased me during the entire recruitment process, even though I had no idea of moving to London or Finance. I wanted to be a consultant and stay in Lisbon forever. But traditional consultants in Portugal saw nothing in me, and MS did not let me go. When I started screening resumes and hiring people a couple of years later is when I understood why I was different. TIME.  I was truly different about what I did with my time. Not necessarily the basics - choice of degree or anything. But really ...

Haunted by journaling

Journaling is haunting me. In different places, posts, blogs, podcasts, workshops or books, I get brainwashed by the wonders of journaling, what it can do for my morning as part of a morning ritual of meditation. For many years, I thought if only I would journal, I would have a blog full of life, ideas that never end and a calm relaxed life, with my thoughts off my head every day, not haunting me for fear of being forgotten. I love a good empty page, be it on a book or a screen. To be fair, I even do better on a screen shining back with words filling faster than my hands think they can type and my eyes semi-shut to the wonders that can come by. I don't know what the end game is, I like it to go free. But I don't journal. I can't make up my mind if I want to give it a proper go or not, I don't like the feeling at "failing" some of these initiatives, I don't have much to say every day though I have random thoughts during the day that I which could be reco...

London FintechWeek - Day 1 Reflections

Today, I attended the day 1 of the London Fintech Week. It is exciting to have the opportunity to be part of such an event - personally and professionally.  I have done my formal work debrief so now want to focus on some reflections.  The first session that called my attention was  ‘Is London still the world’s financial center?’.  by Nick Murray-Leslie. The speaker was clearly making a case for it but the more he provided the arguments for it, the gloomier I got about the prospects. Talent is key - and the environment is not prone to it as Brexit talks progress. And no, it is not all about Brexit but it certainly does not bode well for people wanting to hire across Europe and for talent looking for exciting opportunities. Moreover, in general terms and outside Brexit, I find that the world will be much less about where you are but rather about where you are connected. In a not so distant future it may not matter if we are based in London or Rome to do many of t...