How I Put the Ooomph in my OOO
We Can All Be a Little WISER
IF YOU HAVEN’ T STARTED DAN GINGISS’ WISER COURSE YET, I encourage you to open iLearn. The short, engaging videos stay with you. I’ ve found myself reflecting almost daily on his practical ideas for creating memorable experiences.
I was especially drawn to the“ witty” part of the framework. Witty does not mean we all need to become stand-up comics. It can be a clever sign, an unexpected email subject line or a playful phrase that makes someone smile— small ways to bring personality and humanity into interactions that might otherwise feel routine.
I’ ll confess, it sent me straight to my own inbox. When Barry and I traveled to Jackson Hole for our 25th anniversary, I made my out-of-office message wittier. I was shocked by how many people responded. Apparently, even an OOO can get fan mail. Bless my heart— mine had been boring for nearly 30 years!
Think about our daily touchpoints: appointment confirmations, welcome messages, treatment menus, directional signs, voicemail greetings and out-of-office replies. They may communicate exactly what they need to, but do they sound like a person or a process? Do they reflect who we are? Will anyone remember them?
My challenge is simple: Choose one ordinary interaction and look at it with fresh eyes. Could it be warmer, more personal or a little more fun? Wit doesn’ t require a big budget or elaborate strategy. It simply shows people we cared enough to make an ordinary moment more enjoyable.
In a world of automated messages and scripted responses, a little personality may be exactly what makes an experience memorable— and all of us a little WISER.
So, which ordinary moment will you rewrite this week?
Marrying my cute husband, Barry, 25 years ago at this sweet chapel was one of my wiser decisions.
CONNECT WITH ME
LYNNE MCNEES, ISPA PRESIDENT
PULSE n SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2026 64