May 14, 2011

Collaboration | The Human Experiment

Our People are Important to Us

I am what some might call an realistic optimist. I go into each situation with hope but know that the world is not made of lollipops and rainbows. I want everyone to get along and treat each other with respect. That is not always the case, not everyone operates from a place of integrity. We need to be strong. We need to move business along. But we can do it with compassion. This goes beyond customer service.

The social web is a wonderful place to meet people who think like you and share your values and passions. They can live next door or across the world but the connection is there on a level you can't easily explain. There are human beings behind each blog post and tweet. They have hopes and fears, stress and victories. And we can connect with them if we give the process its due care.

What Do You Do?

Since I am not a painter or a plumber, the answer is not always clean and tidy. I help businesses do business better. My offering is not as a social media guy or a marketing guy. My first step is to decipher how I can help improve what you are doing. We can get into social channels and websites and marketing plans and strategy after that is established. Without our desire to get there, we will never know when we arrive.

With channels like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and the latest one to get the buzz, Empire Avenue, we have the opportunity to lead blended lives. If we connect with authenticity, work and friendship meet at the intersection of collaboration.

Admiring Trailblazers

We marvel at those who appear fearless in their pursuits. We look for inspiration from individuals who seem to know exactly what they want to be doing. Yet we call them self-made and if you believe in Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers theory (which I do), none of us is self-made. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes true human collaboration to clear a path to our passion.

Thank you for dropping by here. And thanks to those who have invested their time in helping me get better. Look at the people in your life offering to help and thank them. Then extend your hand to help others. Collaboration is not a word to put on a t-shirt.

Who will you inspire today?

Kneale Mann

image credit: flickr

23 comments:

Sally said...

Wonderful piece, great reminders, thanks Kneale.

Jon Heath said...

This inspires me, thank-you!

socialmediafltr said...

RT @knealemann: New Post: Collaboration - The Human Experiment. http://ow.ly/4UtCJ

marketingfltr said...

RT @knealemann: New Post: Collaboration - The Human Experiment. http://ow.ly/4UtCJ

Terri Keith said...

Thanks for the kick in the ass.

Donna Lehman said...

Tried Empire Avenue just now. Wanted to buy shares in you :) kept kicking me out. May be an iPad thing. Try later.

Kathy Drewien said...

Collaboration | The Human Experiment / ...thoughts from @knealemann which resonate with me. - http://tinyurl.com/44ywz65

Carol Dekkers said...

RT @knealemann New Post: Collaboration - The Human Experiment. http://ow.ly/4UtCJ -food for thought thx

Bonnie Boden said...

I will thank you for that post. Looking forward to a new movie coming out called "I Am". "The basis of nature is cooperation"

kEith said...

I need to thank many, I'm on it! RT @knealemann: Thanks for your help. Who will you thank today? http://ow.ly/4UtDx

Jack Stevens said...

Have you thanked those who help you? @knealemann has thoughts on the subject. http://ow.ly/4UtDx

Marcia Hansen said...

You're so right -- before talking about the particulars you have to start the conversation from the big picture. This year at sobcon, Cathy Brooks suggested starting with what their vision is for their business. I think that is similar to what you're saying, and unless you and the client are on the same page, you don't know if you're trying to go in the same direction.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and putting them out here in the social world. I appreciate that you do so.

Kneale Mann said...

Sally - Thank-you very much, I'm glad it made you think. Writing it was a great reminder.

Kneale Mann said...

Jon - I am honored, thank-you, sir.

Kneale Mann said...

Terri - It's an on-going process and we all need a boot in the backside once in a while.

Kneale Mann said...

Donna - Ha! Yes, Empire Avenue seems interesting, we'll see if it gains traction. So far, it's be a fun game to check in on every now and then but (for me) that's about all.

Kneale Mann said...

Kathy - I'm so glad this resonated with you and thank-you for contributing. :-)

Kneale Mann said...

Carol - The mind needs nourishment, I'm just glad these words gave you some. Cheers :-)

Kneale Mann said...

Bonnie - I will thank-you for your comments and I am looking forward to the film as well. http://ow.ly/4UEBI

Kneale Mann said...

kEith - It's a daily process. I feel some days I need to role the credit to thank the many people who help me and that is true for everyone, I think.

Kneale Mann said...

Jack - Thank-you.

Kneale Mann said...

Marcia - I have a friend who says he's an astronaut because his real title and the work he does matters not, until the client can focus on their goals. So, I am an astronaut. Ha!

kendra said...

Wonderful piece for a Sunday morning going into a tough week. Thanks Kneale!

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Kneale Mann | Business and Leadership Strategist, Writer and Speaker | knealemann at gmail dot com