Short Reach Long Walk
Three years ago, I was thinking about what my team could do to accelerate Public Facing Web innovation at the DoD. One of the first ideas I had was to reach out to the innovation board chaired by Mr. Bloomberg. I wanted to use the official channels provided to me, so I used the email osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.dib2@mail.mil for the board. I’d encourage anyone to try it as no one will answer.
After several attempts to reach them formally, I was able to informally reach one of the board members. I also have contacts in the city that know Mr. Bloomberg.
Since I wanted to make sure that I did everything correctly, I continued to try through the formal channels. What I discovered was that this group was looking for answers but not seeking questions.
Within a few months of conversations with people close to the board and Bloomberg himself, I decided to abandon this route and use more formal communication through the many other channels in the department. I stopped looking for help from the innovation board directly and started to look for other means to accomplish my objectives. I am very confident that I could have pushed hard to get the attention of the board, but I was unsure of the end result given their overall vocal and visible interests. Meaning, I questioned the worth of effort.
As Bloomberg started his messaging about shifting from the board and transitioning to other activities, he invited people on LinkedIn to ask questions and he told the community that he would respond. Just out of curiosity, I wanted to see if he would respond directly without me leveraging a network connection to answer me. The answer is no.
Through my journey as an HQE in the DoD, I have experienced the same exact experience that I did in corporate. Bloomberg is an example of one road I chose not to travel. He was in proximity through formal channels, and I thought it would be easier to engage with them without having to do the “hey can you connect me with” dance.
The adage of “Who you know” is highly relevant today at it ever was. The distance between us and those we’d like to reach seems different, but the likelihood of a connection is still extremely dependent on the relationship connection. In my case, I had six direct connections with him and at least two others that know him or staff personally.
The Illusion of Accessibility: A Modern Paradox
In our hyper-connected world, we often fall prey to the seductive illusion that people, opportunities, and information are just a click away. This perception, while comforting, can be deeply misleading and even counterproductive. My experience with the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) and Michael Bloomberg serves as a perfect illustration of this phenomenon.
The Mirage of Digital Proximity
Social Media’s False Promise
LinkedIn and similar platforms create a tantalizing illusion of direct access to high-profile individuals. Bloomberg’s invitation to engage on LinkedIn seemed to offer genuine accessibility, but reality proved far different. The digital handshake, while easy to initiate, rarely translates into meaningful connection.
The Email Enigma
Having an official email address like osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.dib2@mail.mil suggests a direct line of communication. Yet, in practice, these channels often lead to dead ends or automated responses, leaving the sender feeling more disconnected than before. In my case, they didn’t respond at all. I also reached out to the Pentagon team supposedly handling this as an HQE with no response. Again, I used the formal method.
Organizational Labyrinths
Visible Yet Unreachable
High-level boards and executives may appear accessible due to their public profiles. However, layers of bureaucracy and gatekeepers often prevent meaningful engagement. The DIB, despite its mandate to foster innovation, remains ensconced behind walls of protocol and procedure.
The Open Door Misnomer
Many organizations boast about transparency and openness. My experience reveals these policies are often more theoretical than practical. The “open door” is frequently just a facade, with real access restricted to an elite few. If you’d like to get involved with DOGE as an example, you could email DOGE@mail.house.gov but the likelihood is that you will not receive a response. In fact, the people that setup this channel are generally unreachable unless you are their constitutes. Even then, it is likely that you will get a staffer to respond with a canned answer.
The Network Paradox
Six Degrees of Separation in Practice
The concept that everyone is six or fewer connections away from each other sounds promising. My situation, having six direct connections to Bloomberg, exemplifies this. In this case, I didn’t exercise this part of my network because I felt the cost vs benefit wasn’t there. The DIB made recommendations, and these are of value, but it wasn’t like the DIB was going to have an immediate effect on my work.
The Strength of Weak Ties Conundrum
Sometimes, distant connections can be more valuable than close ones in bridging gaps. However, the illusion of accessibility can lead us to undervalue these weak ties, focusing instead on seemingly more direct routes that prove to be dead ends.
Technology’s Double-Edged Sword
Information Overload
The internet provides vast amounts of information, creating an illusion of complete access. In reality, finding relevant, actionable information can be like searching for a needle in a digital haystack. This abundance often leads to paralysis rather than empowerment.
Digital Communication Channels
Email, messaging apps, and social media seem to offer direct lines to anyone. However, the volume of communications often results in messages getting lost or ignored. The ease of sending a message is inversely proportional to the likelihood of it being meaningfully received.
Implications and Lessons
The Enduring Value of Personal Relationships
Despite technological advancements, personal connections remain crucial. The “hey can you connect me with” dance, while seemingly outdated, is often necessary. In a world of digital noise, a personal introduction still cuts through the clutter.
Persistence and Creativity: Keys to Breaking Through
Breaking through the illusion of accessibility requires persistent effort and creative approaches. My shift to other channels within the DoD demonstrates this necessity. Innovation in approach is as important as the innovation we seek to foster. I was able to get more connectivity and traction in other places successfully. The lesson here is to abandon efforts that waste your time.
Managing Expectations in the Digital Age
Understanding the gap between perceived and actual accessibility is crucial. This awareness can lead to more effective strategies in navigating complex systems. It’s not about lowering expectations, but about aligning them with reality.
The Irreplaceable Human Element
In an age of digital connectivity, the human element of relationship-building remains irreplaceable. Personal interactions and genuine networking often trump formal channels. The warmth of a handshake or the nuance of a face-to-face conversation cannot be replicated digitally.
The illusion of accessibility is indeed a modern paradox: we have more ways to reach out than ever before, yet meaningful connections can be increasingly elusive. Recognizing this illusion is the first step in developing strategies to overcome it, whether in professional settings, job searches, or personal endeavors.
As we navigate this landscape, we must remember that while the world may seem more connected, the value of genuine relationships and persistent, strategic efforts in making connections remains paramount. The challenge lies not in finding more ways to connect, but in making those connections truly matter.
Much Love
Howie
You need a cat picture I think?
Thank you. This insightful piece is a gift.