Excuses

We know that ‘prevention is better than cure’.

Desiderius Erasmus observed this way back in 1500. It’s the backbone message of public health.

Yet, there were long queues at Melbourne’s vaccination centres after the latest outbreak of Covid-19. Thousands of us had left it too late, including me.

I rode past the vaccination centre every Wednesday – maskless and free. I could have walked in and out in 15 minutes. But I had lots of excuses.

I didn’t have time to wait.

I had too much work on.

We were going away – I’d do it when we got back.

I wonder what sort of excuses we make when we overlook engaging with our stakeholders and community.

I don’t want to bother them. They may want to talk to you.

I’ve got nothing to say to them. They may have something to share with you.

They don’t want to hear from us. Says who? Ask them.

Excuses for not engaging with stakeholders cost us, especially when we need those same stakeholders to work with us on issues and opportunities.

Building trust with stakeholders and community, over time, with regular engagement, is better than trying to ‘cure’ a lack of trust.

Each call, meeting or connection is a deposit in the ‘trust bank’. You can’t really see it, but you know when it’s gone.

We know prevention works in public health. The same goes for engagement.

After a week of queues, I finally got my first jab last weekend. What a relief. A lesson in prevention that I hope I don’t easily forget.

What's On

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Thursday 10 June 12pm – 1pm. Book your spot here


Masterclass: Design workshops that deliver

20 July - 10 August 2021

Each session will run on a Tuesday from 12 - 1:15pm

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