Sharon O'Dea
@sharonodea.com
Consulting, writing and speaking on comms, collaboration & future of work. Cofounder Lithos Partners, DWXS and 300 Seconds. Gym bore. Takes too many photos of Amsterdam.
Pinned
Sharon O'Dea
@sharonodea.com
· May 23
🎉 Big news: I’m writing a book!
Digital Communications at Work is a practical guide for folks managing intranets, apps & comms channels. It’s packed with case studies, tips & lessons from the coalface. Co-authored with @digitaljonathan.bsky.social, published by Kogan Page, it’ll be out in 2026.
Digital Communications at Work is a practical guide for folks managing intranets, apps & comms channels. It’s packed with case studies, tips & lessons from the coalface. Co-authored with @digitaljonathan.bsky.social, published by Kogan Page, it’ll be out in 2026.
Good morning from me, a smug bastard who kicked off Christmas Day by doing a spin class.
If this doesn’t get me on a hundred block lists, nothing will.
If this doesn’t get me on a hundred block lists, nothing will.
December 25, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Good morning from me, a smug bastard who kicked off Christmas Day by doing a spin class.
If this doesn’t get me on a hundred block lists, nothing will.
If this doesn’t get me on a hundred block lists, nothing will.
Shout out to the client - a very large company - who asked me to invoice two days ago, and has already approved for payment.
The spirit of Christmas, right there.
The spirit of Christmas, right there.
December 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Shout out to the client - a very large company - who asked me to invoice two days ago, and has already approved for payment.
The spirit of Christmas, right there.
The spirit of Christmas, right there.
Overslept and missed putting the bins out on the last bin day before Christmas. 😭😭😭
December 23, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Overslept and missed putting the bins out on the last bin day before Christmas. 😭😭😭
Well who could have predicted this?
(Everyone)
(Everyone)
December 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Well who could have predicted this?
(Everyone)
(Everyone)
Yesterday I had to leave M&S empty-handed because they didn’t have anything much in a size 8. My very first time experiencing a Thin Person Problem.
And today I got IDd buying prosecco in the supermarket.
Christmas has indeed come early round here. 🎄
And today I got IDd buying prosecco in the supermarket.
Christmas has indeed come early round here. 🎄
December 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Yesterday I had to leave M&S empty-handed because they didn’t have anything much in a size 8. My very first time experiencing a Thin Person Problem.
And today I got IDd buying prosecco in the supermarket.
Christmas has indeed come early round here. 🎄
And today I got IDd buying prosecco in the supermarket.
Christmas has indeed come early round here. 🎄
Ok so there’s deffo something wrong with his right hand
December 18, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Ok so there’s deffo something wrong with his right hand
It is December 17th and I’m aboutto start my Christmas shopping.
Can any correspondent report a slower start? Anyone holding out for the 23rd?
Can any correspondent report a slower start? Anyone holding out for the 23rd?
December 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
It is December 17th and I’m aboutto start my Christmas shopping.
Can any correspondent report a slower start? Anyone holding out for the 23rd?
Can any correspondent report a slower start? Anyone holding out for the 23rd?
Ten years ago this week, days before Christmas, I quit my job with nothing to go to.
This is the first of three short reflections on leaving when staying becomes untenable.
📖 Part 1 - The Break: sharonodea.com/2025/12/16/t...
This is the first of three short reflections on leaving when staying becomes untenable.
📖 Part 1 - The Break: sharonodea.com/2025/12/16/t...
The Break
This is part one of a three-part series reflecting on ten years of self-employment — what led me to leave my last employed role, what came after, and how I now think about work, identity, and chang…
sharonodea.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Ten years ago this week, days before Christmas, I quit my job with nothing to go to.
This is the first of three short reflections on leaving when staying becomes untenable.
📖 Part 1 - The Break: sharonodea.com/2025/12/16/t...
This is the first of three short reflections on leaving when staying becomes untenable.
📖 Part 1 - The Break: sharonodea.com/2025/12/16/t...
I appreciate this will get any future ESTA refused, but that ship has now sailed I think, so…
My expectations of that man were already at rock bottom and yet somehow he still manages to be that bit more of a cunt. Genuinely shocking, and after all these years that‘s really saying something.
My expectations of that man were already at rock bottom and yet somehow he still manages to be that bit more of a cunt. Genuinely shocking, and after all these years that‘s really saying something.
December 15, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I appreciate this will get any future ESTA refused, but that ship has now sailed I think, so…
My expectations of that man were already at rock bottom and yet somehow he still manages to be that bit more of a cunt. Genuinely shocking, and after all these years that‘s really saying something.
My expectations of that man were already at rock bottom and yet somehow he still manages to be that bit more of a cunt. Genuinely shocking, and after all these years that‘s really saying something.
Fun (not for me) fact: when I was a kid I had an operation done backwards by a trainee ophthalmologist at Moorfields. My mum vaguely recalls the surgeon being "an Arab fella".
So there's a non-zero chance I might technically have been Assad's first victim.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
So there's a non-zero chance I might technically have been Assad's first victim.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Assad family live in Russian luxury as Bashar ‘brushes up on ophthalmology’
Family friend, sources in Russia and Syria, and leaked data help give rare insight into life of dictator’s reclusive household
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Fun (not for me) fact: when I was a kid I had an operation done backwards by a trainee ophthalmologist at Moorfields. My mum vaguely recalls the surgeon being "an Arab fella".
So there's a non-zero chance I might technically have been Assad's first victim.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
So there's a non-zero chance I might technically have been Assad's first victim.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Lots to agree with here. I ditched Twitter - and the sizeable audience I had there - because I realised that not only did it no longer bring me joy, but that tweets either disappeared into the void, or led to a volley of abuse. And that's simply not what I want to spend my time on.
also - apols for the shameless self-promotion - as I wrote recently, I'm not sure I buy "oooh you need constant adversity online in order to be a good writer" - I think I've become better at my job since quitting the Getting Shouted At factory, actually! youngvulgarian.substack.com/p/arent-you-...
December 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Lots to agree with here. I ditched Twitter - and the sizeable audience I had there - because I realised that not only did it no longer bring me joy, but that tweets either disappeared into the void, or led to a volley of abuse. And that's simply not what I want to spend my time on.
How do I nominate the guy slamming the off button for een lintje? 🎖️
Truly the hero the Amsterdam Metro needs.
Truly the hero the Amsterdam Metro needs.
December 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
How do I nominate the guy slamming the off button for een lintje? 🎖️
Truly the hero the Amsterdam Metro needs.
Truly the hero the Amsterdam Metro needs.
Latest weeknote. I finished writing the book. Arguably this is well the real work begins.
I cleared space, literally and metaphorically.
And I watched a lot of TV, because I didn't have the mental bandwidth to do much else.
sharonodea.com/2025/12/14/w...
I cleared space, literally and metaphorically.
And I watched a lot of TV, because I didn't have the mental bandwidth to do much else.
sharonodea.com/2025/12/14/w...
Weeknote 2025/50
Amsterdam Vinyl Club this week Photo by me. This week had a strong clearing space energy to it. Not in the sense of bold new beginnings or fresh starts, but in the quieter, less Instagrammable way:…
sharonodea.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Latest weeknote. I finished writing the book. Arguably this is well the real work begins.
I cleared space, literally and metaphorically.
And I watched a lot of TV, because I didn't have the mental bandwidth to do much else.
sharonodea.com/2025/12/14/w...
I cleared space, literally and metaphorically.
And I watched a lot of TV, because I didn't have the mental bandwidth to do much else.
sharonodea.com/2025/12/14/w...
Between the below and the video doing the rounds of Ince’s Alan Partridge-esque speech on stage after recording wrapped, I’m inclined to think there’s more to this story than Ince’s narrative.
Or considerably less, like him maybe just being a dick to work with.
Or considerably less, like him maybe just being a dick to work with.
December 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Between the below and the video doing the rounds of Ince’s Alan Partridge-esque speech on stage after recording wrapped, I’m inclined to think there’s more to this story than Ince’s narrative.
Or considerably less, like him maybe just being a dick to work with.
Or considerably less, like him maybe just being a dick to work with.
ICYMI, here's my latest weeknote.
Video is an attention hostage situation, chatbots still can’t book leave, and work might not deserve your soul anymore.
👇
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
Video is an attention hostage situation, chatbots still can’t book leave, and work might not deserve your soul anymore.
👇
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
Weeknote 2025/49
London trying its best to look festive this week. Photo by me. I keep coming back to the same realisation this week: the future of comms isn’t just more digital. It’s more structurally complex. Not…
sharonodea.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:55 AM
ICYMI, here's my latest weeknote.
Video is an attention hostage situation, chatbots still can’t book leave, and work might not deserve your soul anymore.
👇
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
Video is an attention hostage situation, chatbots still can’t book leave, and work might not deserve your soul anymore.
👇
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
Video is an attention hostage situation, chatbots still can’t book leave, and work might not deserve your soul anymore. New weeknote 👇
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
Weeknote 2025/49
London trying its best to look festive this week. Photo by me. I keep coming back to the same realisation this week: the future of comms isn’t just more digital. It’s more structurally complex. Not…
sharonodea.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Video is an attention hostage situation, chatbots still can’t book leave, and work might not deserve your soul anymore. New weeknote 👇
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
sharonodea.com/2025/12/07/w...
You know what lads? I’m starting to wonder if FIFA might not be the most reputable organisation.
December 5, 2025 at 10:02 PM
You know what lads? I’m starting to wonder if FIFA might not be the most reputable organisation.
A tiny Japan moment made it into the FT’s Working It: a robot tour guide showing me around, operated remotely by a disabled worker elsewhere in the country. A reminder that the real future of work is human (and also kawaai)
December 4, 2025 at 8:15 AM
A tiny Japan moment made it into the FT’s Working It: a robot tour guide showing me around, operated remotely by a disabled worker elsewhere in the country. A reminder that the real future of work is human (and also kawaai)
Taking the Eurostar from Amsterdam to London is nice in theory (“it takes the same time end to end, and you can work the whole way!”)
Except the wifi is functionally useless once you get beyond the Dutch border. So weak you can’t even send email. *And* it costs twice as much as flying.
Except the wifi is functionally useless once you get beyond the Dutch border. So weak you can’t even send email. *And* it costs twice as much as flying.
December 2, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Taking the Eurostar from Amsterdam to London is nice in theory (“it takes the same time end to end, and you can work the whole way!”)
Except the wifi is functionally useless once you get beyond the Dutch border. So weak you can’t even send email. *And* it costs twice as much as flying.
Except the wifi is functionally useless once you get beyond the Dutch border. So weak you can’t even send email. *And* it costs twice as much as flying.
“Arrive by 05:45,” the ticket said
When the terminal is closed and there’s nowhere to buy coffee.
THESE WERE PRECIOUS MINUTES I COULD HAVE SPENT IN BED
When the terminal is closed and there’s nowhere to buy coffee.
THESE WERE PRECIOUS MINUTES I COULD HAVE SPENT IN BED
December 2, 2025 at 5:23 AM
“Arrive by 05:45,” the ticket said
When the terminal is closed and there’s nowhere to buy coffee.
THESE WERE PRECIOUS MINUTES I COULD HAVE SPENT IN BED
When the terminal is closed and there’s nowhere to buy coffee.
THESE WERE PRECIOUS MINUTES I COULD HAVE SPENT IN BED
New weeknote is up.
Re-entry from six weeks in Japan: jetlag, chapter rewrites, dormant innovations, why AI in IC might be less “shiny add-on” and more “incoming structural stress test”, and the small matter of 400 photos of fruit-shaped bus stops.
sharonodea.com/2025/11/30/w...
Re-entry from six weeks in Japan: jetlag, chapter rewrites, dormant innovations, why AI in IC might be less “shiny add-on” and more “incoming structural stress test”, and the small matter of 400 photos of fruit-shaped bus stops.
sharonodea.com/2025/11/30/w...
Weeknote 2025/48
Amsterdam Light Festival. After six weeks in Japan, this week was all about timing — or more accurately, being completely out of sync with it. My body is convinced 4am is an excellent time to start…
sharonodea.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:24 PM
New weeknote is up.
Re-entry from six weeks in Japan: jetlag, chapter rewrites, dormant innovations, why AI in IC might be less “shiny add-on” and more “incoming structural stress test”, and the small matter of 400 photos of fruit-shaped bus stops.
sharonodea.com/2025/11/30/w...
Re-entry from six weeks in Japan: jetlag, chapter rewrites, dormant innovations, why AI in IC might be less “shiny add-on” and more “incoming structural stress test”, and the small matter of 400 photos of fruit-shaped bus stops.
sharonodea.com/2025/11/30/w...
The early Church existed inside the Roman Empire, one of the most complex states in human history.
It had taxation, bureaucracy, public works, courts, military administration, even a postal service.
Plenty of state.
It had taxation, bureaucracy, public works, courts, military administration, even a postal service.
Plenty of state.
As Jesus once put it: "what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and then have to pay the mansion tax?"
November 28, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The early Church existed inside the Roman Empire, one of the most complex states in human history.
It had taxation, bureaucracy, public works, courts, military administration, even a postal service.
Plenty of state.
It had taxation, bureaucracy, public works, courts, military administration, even a postal service.
Plenty of state.
This is objectively hilarious, but also (as someone who was responsible for publishing market-sensitive announcements on a PLC’s website) can completely understand how and why this happened
"The BBC tried this after 'Final Final Version (2) - Do Not Edit (1)' failed."
November 28, 2025 at 9:36 AM
This is objectively hilarious, but also (as someone who was responsible for publishing market-sensitive announcements on a PLC’s website) can completely understand how and why this happened
And the same phenomenon driving the growth in youth emigration. They’re not all moving to Dubai. If even people on good salaries have no prospect of owing a home, you can’t be surprised if they leave for places where they can have a better lifestyle.
This is fascinating and disturbing from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com on rise of 'financial nihilism' (cc @aminsamman.bsky.social !) in the asset economy www.ft.com/content/c17a...
The housing crisis is pushing Gen Z into crypto and economic nihilism
Locked out of home ownership, young adults are turning to risky financial behaviour
www.ft.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:15 AM
And the same phenomenon driving the growth in youth emigration. They’re not all moving to Dubai. If even people on good salaries have no prospect of owing a home, you can’t be surprised if they leave for places where they can have a better lifestyle.
Encouraging people in large homes to downsize and reduce oversized mortgage burdens is… quite sensible?
‘I don’t live in a mansion. It’s a 1930s house’: Richmond residents react to council tax rise
‘I don’t live in a mansion. It’s a 1930s house’: Richmond residents react to council tax rise
Rachel Reeves’s new council tax surcharge on homes worth £2m or more earns mixed reception in well-heeled London borough
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Encouraging people in large homes to downsize and reduce oversized mortgage burdens is… quite sensible?