Tamara Lowe - Motivating Me to Write Nice Things About Her
A month ago, I wrote a piece lampooning consultants, riffing off of a bunch of local bloggers writing breathlessly about which of Tamara Lowe's Motivitional Type DNA they have. In a nutshell, I'm cynical about consultants and I'm cynical about personality tests, so I had some fun making sport of the concept.
Last night, just before midnight, Tamara Lowe herself came to this blog and posted a reply. If you are one of those who liked her seminar, you'll love her comment. She defends the concept quite well, and pretty much calls me an ignorant jerk in the most positive, motivating fashion humanly possible.
The woman clearly has talent, insight, and a sense of humor. She also has a few books to sell, if you're interested . . .
posted by Dan at 12/16/2008 06:44:00 AM
17 Comments:
That kind of looked like a form letter, designed both to parry such criticism as yours, which she must get all the time, and to execute a little marketing pirouette, including date of release, title and publisher. Maybe Random House has such a letter, and they just tweak it for each new charlatan. Exclamation points galore, too. Yup. Brilliant.
I didn't see the original post on this so I had to backtrack and read through it and then I went to Tamara's page and took the test. Interestingly, it said I am a "Director" which is exactly what I am (was) at my company for years (retired - now a consultant).
Yikes. Amazing how so many people mistake frenzy(!!!) for energy and motivation. Back in the psych grad school days, I was lucky no one was injured by books/"theories" like hers flying across the hall outside my office.
So her troupe made a KC appearance recently? Too bad some of your acquaintances got sucked up by this gang of snake oil salespeople. Rudy needs to clear up questions like these about 9/11. Rudy is either lying or very confused. But how could he be confused over the details of such a unique event?
Tamara's response does appear to be pre-packaged. Is it disingenuous of her to say that she donates the "proceeds" to charity when she is likely making buckets full of money off of the tour itself?
An endorsement from a "winner":
"I am inspired! Tamara Lowe does not just offer career motivation, but has a whole section in Get Motivated devoted to showing parents how to motivate their children."
Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America
This comment has been removed by the author.
My, my, such cynicism! You commenters gave me my first chuckle of the day— even before my double shot low-fat cappuccino-- which I am now enjoying, thankyouverymuch! A prepackaged form letter! That’s hilarious! (Extra exclamation points added for satirical embellishment! Free of charge!!!)
Tamara - FWIW, I knew you wrote specifically to me - you responded to my specific criticisms. But, yeah, the blogworld is deeply suspicious.
I think Tamara's hot, in a Sarah Palin-ish sort of way, except different.
I don’t mind suspicion— everyone needs a spoonful or two as preventative medicine. I know it’s perverse, but since there’s no escaping it I’ve even come to enjoy criticism. It’s useful for growing in humility and character. Every so often it’s even constructive! Now if everyone had the skill to scald with your Fahrenheit of wit I could actually derive some aesthetic pleasure from the experience. But I know that’s too much to hope for. I’ll have to settle for being berated by less eloquent detractors. Pity. You’re a terrific writer, Dan. You really should do op ed.
I'm a relater.
Relaters are caring and creative. They relish life and cherish relationships. Relaters are outgoing, friendly and well-liked. They are resourceful and inventive, with an ability to compromise to get the job done. They are team players that bring out the best in others. Warm and enthusiastic, they balance concern for others with a zeal for personal growth.
I'd say that pretty fucking accurate actually, wouldn't you?
AF
Was that Al Franken that left that comment?
He never struck me as a relater.
Pretty cool, Dan. A dialogue with the author. You da man.
The gracious Ms. Lowe doesn't seem to have rebutted your primary point: "I assure you, though, that she cannot explain what deoxyribonucleic acid has to do with anything - she just picked the term because it sounds scientific."
You accused her of intellectual dishonesty by using the acronym DNA to lend scientific validity to her self-fulfilling personality test. Good for you.
Palm readers employ this same type of trickery. The Forer effect explains the accuracy of her analyses http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forer_effect
To see a very entertaining example of these principles in action, watch this Brit use the Forer effect to create instant acolytes:
youtube.com/watch?v=haP7Ys9ocTk
Tamara, I've got to hand it to you for your success. It probably beats making an honest living and what you're doing doesn't really seem illegal, just skeezy. Personally, I couldn't do it, but that's just me.
After seeing Tamara at a Get Motivated Event, I'd hardly say she's found the humility and character she claims to enjoy.
Her replies to the blog posts show the narcissistic side I observed. Her posts seem a bit passive aggressive; or is that too deep of a psychological analysis? Is their a DNA model for passive aggressiveness?
Perhaps in her writing career she'll learn spelling and grammar rules.
I enjoyed Tamara most of all the speakers at her event. You haters...it's a motivational seminar...not selling tickets to Heaven. Like anything in life...you reap what you sow & there are no absolutes.
She's back!
With GW Bush at her side. WTF?
http://www.getmotivated.com/city.aspx?a=5115
What a bizarre line up of right-wing politicians and religious zealots! And at such a good price!
Although one attendee complained, "The true agenda was to encourage grass-roots movements in favor of right-wing fundamentalists (per speakers Peter Lowe, Zig Zigler) and election of Republican candidates (per speakers Gen. Tommy Franks, Rudy Guliani). Also, advertisement of company services (per speakers Success.com) and sale of products (CDs, literature, etc.)."
Hi Dan,
Tamara Lowe would like me to send you an autographed copy of her book, Get Motivated! Can you please send your address to tamara@getmotivatedbook.com?
Thank you,
Jessica
Well, she defended Bush by calling him articulate, just as she called you. What an honor!
Post a Comment
<< Home