#unSquirrel Manifesto 10: Your Turn

I attended the first #ResponsiveOrg unConference in London last week. Illuminating, deep discussion on how to solve the world’s (organizational) problems – y’know, nothing much. Importantly, after a day of healthy and inspiring conversations, we have to ask: “And…?” Where is the action, the outcomes, the next steps? We have to reach for more. So, it inspired me to add an action item here. In some small way, BIG changes can occur when we take a step forward, when we lean in, when we look to commune and share our knowledge. You will make a difference if you #unSquirrel. So, … Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 10: Your Turn

#unSquirrel Manifesto 9: How Can I Help?

#unSquirrel is not really about random shit, thrown around without forethought or meaning. It is about not overthinking it. But it benefits from a light question or reflection… Who is the audience? What might the interaction entail? How might this assist? Hence, ask others / yourself How can I help? ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 9: How Can I Help?

#unSquirrel Manifesto 8: As I Share, I Learn

This is a real surprise. I think we have been educated to believe that those that share, know. They are the teachers, the experts. Their share is a broadcast to the unwashed, the unknowing. Ha! Not so. I have learned that as I share, I learn! Sharing today is much more about conversation and co-creation than it used to be. Little now is fully formed before others get to see it and start to add to it. This working out loud, in perpetual beta, is our beta gift to the world, and the world returns the favour by driving the … Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 8: As I Share, I Learn

#unSquirrel Manifesto 7: Dr. Google Is Here To Help

If we follow the #unSquirrel manifesto step 6 and share, well, for whom? Quite brilliantly, Dr. Google is there to help solve that. One of the blog posts I wrote that gets most read is one entitled “Teach Me Something I Don’t Know.” Why? Because people ask that of google all the time. There is an audience for EVERYTHING, thus, unSquirreling always has the opportunity to bring value to others. The hivemind network of interests and enquiries that the internet creates and manages does all the heavy lifting for you as a content owner. You, in turn, and focus on … Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 7: Dr. Google Is Here To Help

#unSquirrel Manifesto 6: Share Is The New Save

This is the simplest comparison I have crafted so far to explain the old to new paradigms that are happening in our organizations and communities. #unSquirrel is ALL about share. We do not broadcast for our own ego. We do it to connect, support, challenge – ourselves and others. We give away our knowledge – in the knowledge that by doing so we will help others and ourselves. The old model was to save our knowledge, to squirrel it away and somehow “monetize / influencize” it at the opportune moment. But when was that moment, and with whom? Let the network … Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 6: Share Is The New Save

#unSquirrel Manifesto 5: So What If It Is Crap?

A critical recoil against sharing by many people is “No-one will like it! What if it adds little value?” My belief: who cares? According to Sturgeon’s Law, 90% of everything is crap. In this I also believe. If true, few of us have the chance to adds much value much of the time, but perversely, this should NOT stop us sharing. It should encourage it, because all the pressure is off yo! Do not over-think it. Have a thought, or an idea. Write it down, take a photo. Upload to the social channel of your choice. Done and done. Let’s … Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 5: So What If It Is Crap?

#unSquirrel Manifesto 4: Work Out Loud #WOLyo!

What do we share when we #unSquirrel? Well, at work, our work will do for a start. Working out loud, in the open, is about the gift of knowledge, of assisting others (often unknown) in leveraging your skills and experience and attitude. Where does one begin? Somewhere. Share a project update (as widely as possible). Engage in a conversation about a topic on which you know things, or want to know about. Suggest an idea when no-one ask for it(!) Invite others into a project to help you. Do something. Do the opposite of what so many of us do, … Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 4: Work Out Loud #WOLyo!

#unSquirrel Manifesto 3: Something To Add

The #unSquirrel process is nothing to do with fear and loathing. It is an journey of opening yourself to the world. However, sometimes, you need a place to push off from. Oftentimes, we have been told that our opinions do not count. We have been worn down. #unSquirrel is about drawing a line in the sand, and saying no more. As you share, people will question you, will complain,, they will wonder (out loud) why YOU think YOU are so important. Sometimes, you need an enemy of sorts. ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 3: Something To Add

#unSquirrel Manifesto 2: A LOUD Voice

Now we’re talking. The process of #unSquirrel begins by acknowledging, and affirming, that I am important. What percentage of us are willing to say that? It requires us to find and develop our voice. Voice, strong and true. No frog in the throat. No whisper. Clear and true. Finding our perfect pitch. If you practice, your voice gets strong, it gets LOUD, your words become insistent. This is teh beginning of change in your life, in your team, in your network. ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 2: A LOUD Voice

#unSquirrel Manifesto 1: It Is About POWER.

Why is it important to share, to #unSquirrel? Because we are all important. The knowledge, experience, perspectives we have all add value. I am heavily influenced by the pithy epiphanies of gapingvoid. The ‘empowerment’ art captures the Gack! feeling about  that term. Empowerment has been corrupted by HR – something the organization enables in us. No. the em and the ment are not required. This is about POWER yo. Power to the people. I am powerful. Say that sentence out loud. It sounds good. ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading #unSquirrel Manifesto 1: It Is About POWER.

The #unSquirrel Manifesto

Everyone needs a manifesto. My own is the TMWK Manifesto that I shared here when I started the blog. It really does guide me in the work I produce and the thinking process. The TMWK Manifesto is mine, but are there others that can be given away? This one is a #WorkOutLoud process. I expanded on my #unSquirrel series of posts – of sharing more, even the minutiae, within your networks. I will go write a little on each of these in the next few posts. Today, here is the visual… ←This Much We Know.→ Continue reading The #unSquirrel Manifesto

Curious Kids: Smiling Is Happiness And Love

When I am mulling over a topic – like I have been about smiling – I often ask the kids for their perspective. Sometimes some genius insight, always delight. Smiling is good for you yo! https://t.co/bxoQRMZKCY — Jonathan Anthony (@ThisMuchWeKnow) April 21, 2014 Smiling boils down to two concepts: happiness and love. Good enough for me. ←This Much We Know.→   Continue reading Curious Kids: Smiling Is Happiness And Love