Working Out Loud – Simply Works..

I can easily see how everyday my life is better for practicing behaviors that are aligned and consistent with WOL.   When I first met John Stepper http://johnstepper.com/ he said “I don’t care about selling books, I care about helping people.”  If he were to have any disappointment it would potentially be that he could not reach further and help more people.   It left a very clear impression on me.   John conveyed his ideas beyond his words alone and spoke from his heart.    I believe that we should do our part to help people as well.

As a child my step father would go to the Salvation Army depot and pick up an emergency services disaster relief truck to serve firefighters on 3 alarm or greater fires.   It could be 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning, he would go and serve the firefighters and police through the disaster.   He had a full-time job to do as well.   The whole family would go sometimes and serve cookies and milk or ice tea to the blackened faces and tired eyes of the NYC service members.   Andre (my step father) would say that we need to “show up” and he enjoyed just being there to help.

I thought about John Stepper and Andre both in consideration of the work I had before me in knowledge management.    It is empowering to serve and act to help others and I wanted to find ways to introduce these concepts in all aspects of my life.    I read a lot about leadership and I try to account and understand my failures along with my success.   I know I can do better and I work to stay resilient.

I am happy to share what I have seen actually work.  I also want to put this in context of this quote “The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in one solitary and even humble individual – for it is in the solitary mind and soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost.” – M. Scott Peck

I believe that John may never see the millions of people that he helps or the butterfly effect of his insights and wisdom but if we know that we help one person, this may be all that is needed to create a positive impact and the desired outcome.

Here are some basics that work.

Corporate Communications..  **Shout Out**

1) Use the 5 Whys.. to explain what problem you are looking to help solve by Working Out Loud.

2) Use stories to tell people the value of Working Out Loud without having specific problems to solve.

3) Ask your communications team to help share and convey your message.

Create an Event or a Series and **Show Up**

1) The more you show up the better off everyone is.   Your stories will get better and you will become more relaxed and comfortable.  Beyond that, showing up is showing that you care.

2)Go to your people.  People may not have time to come to an event or see you, but you can find your way to them.  Making the effort is critically important.

 

Share

Every one of us has a story to share and experiences that can help others.    Share your ideas, your thoughts and your experiences and be open to listening and reading the thoughts of others.  It helps in many ways both for business and personal reasons but the practice of sharing and infectious and are good for your overall health and well being.   At the same time, have no expectations of getting feedback.   If you put something out there today it may find its way to usefulness many moons from now but have faith that it matters.