The opposite of civilization is human nature. And occasionally, regrettably, human nature finds a way to break through the behavioral, cultural, social, and even religious boundaries constructed assiduously around it. We define this “breaking through,” as conflict, violence, and—at the nation-state level—war. The purpose of civilization is to hold back Read more…
There is value is putting on a show for some audiences. Without the show, there is no connection. Without the show, there is no invitation to participation. Without the show, there is no permission to be vulnerable in ways that will create value and impact. Connection. Permission. Participation. Vulnerability. These Read more…
No great change happens without conflict. Not one. And every great conflict generates resistance. Every time. So, since you know both things, decisions should be comparatively easy to make about change. Right?
The disconnect between what people know about how the Internet (and by extension social media) “works” (choices, behaviors, options, etc.) and what people use the Internet (and social media) to accomplish (tasks) is underrated and massive. Part of the disconnect comes from a lack of interest and caring about how Read more…
This post may not apply to you, but consider it a warning: It doesn’t matter how well-meaning you are. It doesn’t matter how intentional you are. It doesn’t matter if, after saying what you said, you respond to another person by saying “Well, you have to understand, that wasn’t what Read more…
Making noise, making a point, and making a difference are different actions. Where we run into trouble is when we conflate the results of all three and then use those results (and that conflation) to determine what our story will be to the market. Telling a story to the market Read more…
The deepest dive you can do is into yourself. If you want to find the resistance to changes that need to be made in your organization, it starts with you. If you want to discover why other people aren’t resonating with your story, it starts with you. If you want Read more…
The equation that drives change is simple: Dissatisfaction times Vision times First Steps must be greater than the Resistance to the impact of all three combined or else change efforts falter. There are plenty of dissatisfied people in your workplace, your work group, or even just your organization. There are Read more…
The two most difficult roadblocks to success in resolving hard problems are the presence of real trade-offs and considerations of power. Most complicated problems and difficult conflicts have simple solutions. We often confuse what we believe is a hard solution with a complicated one. What makes solutions to hard problems not Read more…
Silence is golden. It also allows space for people to talk. And for you to listen. To actively listen, you must make space for people to talk.