Changethis has listed my manifesto proposal on their site. If it garners enough viewer interest, I'll submit the entire manifesto and it'll be posted in pdf for others to pick up and download for a loooong time. Perhaps this just proves how much of a nerd I am, but I'm excited. Spreading ideas is addictive. Please click this link and vote yes.
http://www.changethis.com/proposals
[Voting for my proposal has closed. Thanks for the votes! The link will take you to the most recent batch of proposals]
Thanks,
Nevin
Monday, February 16, 2009
Outlawing the use of pronouns
When someone has accepted the role of the victim, it doesn't take long to hear it in their language.
"They should fix that" is a common refrain.
The use of the pronoun in that sentence is an easy escape for a person. They're able to point out the problem, the inconsistencies with the way the system works now, but they don't go so far is to name the individual(s) that are responsible for changing it. Simply put, it puts you in the role of observer. You're a bystander.
What happens if we outlaw the use of pronouns? You can't say "they" or "he" or "we." You have to say John or Sally or Nevin. All of a sudden, we'd be challenging ourselves to actually name the system and who is going to fix it. My guess is that the magic would happen when we start realizing it's unfair to single out John as the fixer. After all, he didn't create the problem, he's just the accountant/marketer/maintenance worker that's been assigned a small piece of the system.
When we outlaw the use of pronouns, we start realizing what role we, individually, have in our plight. That's powerful and it can lead to real change.
"They should fix that" is a common refrain.
The use of the pronoun in that sentence is an easy escape for a person. They're able to point out the problem, the inconsistencies with the way the system works now, but they don't go so far is to name the individual(s) that are responsible for changing it. Simply put, it puts you in the role of observer. You're a bystander.
What happens if we outlaw the use of pronouns? You can't say "they" or "he" or "we." You have to say John or Sally or Nevin. All of a sudden, we'd be challenging ourselves to actually name the system and who is going to fix it. My guess is that the magic would happen when we start realizing it's unfair to single out John as the fixer. After all, he didn't create the problem, he's just the accountant/marketer/maintenance worker that's been assigned a small piece of the system.
When we outlaw the use of pronouns, we start realizing what role we, individually, have in our plight. That's powerful and it can lead to real change.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Your competitive advantage
There's a significant advantage that you shouldn't overlook. In whatever you care about, how likely is it that other people are thinking about it as much as you are?
Your advantage is your ability to think through every scenario, every defensive response, every potential roadblock. You can figure out the solution to every one of those items before you ever begin the discussion. There's the magic.
In "Freakonomics," Levitt and Dubner use the term "Information Asymmetry." It's when a professional has access to information you don't have. Whether intentional or not, they can use the imbalance of knowledge to their advantage to get the better of a deal.
You can create an asymmetry with your passion, too. It's an easy and available way to drive your agenda. Let's call it a "planning asymmetry." Your recipient is thinking about the eight phone calls they've got to return, the conversation they've got to have with an unresponsive employee and what they're going to have for dinner. You, on the other hand, are looking for agreement on one thing, and you've spent eight, twenty or two hunred hours thinking about how to get from here to there.
Really, who's got all the power?
Your advantage is your ability to think through every scenario, every defensive response, every potential roadblock. You can figure out the solution to every one of those items before you ever begin the discussion. There's the magic.
In "Freakonomics," Levitt and Dubner use the term "Information Asymmetry." It's when a professional has access to information you don't have. Whether intentional or not, they can use the imbalance of knowledge to their advantage to get the better of a deal.
You can create an asymmetry with your passion, too. It's an easy and available way to drive your agenda. Let's call it a "planning asymmetry." Your recipient is thinking about the eight phone calls they've got to return, the conversation they've got to have with an unresponsive employee and what they're going to have for dinner. You, on the other hand, are looking for agreement on one thing, and you've spent eight, twenty or two hunred hours thinking about how to get from here to there.
Really, who's got all the power?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Long Tail
I find myself referencing The Long Tail in conversations all the time. It is an excellent concept/observation by Chris Anderson. To be fair, I haven't read his book on the topic, but this paper makes me feel confident enough to reference it constantly. http://www.changethis.com/10.LongTail
For me, The Long Tail and Seth Godin's discussion of "Best in the World" (see The Dip) fit hand in glove. What am I passionate about ? What thin slice of the world's discussion is going to be associated with me?
For me, The Long Tail and Seth Godin's discussion of "Best in the World" (see The Dip) fit hand in glove. What am I passionate about ? What thin slice of the world's discussion is going to be associated with me?
Friday, February 6, 2009
Submission to Changethis
I love the idea of, and the ideas on http://www.changethis.com/.
I've just submitted an outline of my manifesto (linked at the left... http://www.squidoo.com/innovation-manifesto) to be considered for publishing on the site. Please go visit changethis to gain the insight of some passionate people.
I've just submitted an outline of my manifesto (linked at the left... http://www.squidoo.com/innovation-manifesto) to be considered for publishing on the site. Please go visit changethis to gain the insight of some passionate people.
Personal Responsibility Manifesto
I've posted a manifesto called Flow, Flee or Fight at http://www.squidoo.com/innovation-manifesto.
The queasy feeling that comes with change
Funny. Every time I challenge the status quo, I get a queasy feeling in my stomach. My head even feels like it's spinning. Are you feeling it? Are you far enough on the edge to make things truly change?
I'm definitely not feeling it enough.
I'm definitely not feeling it enough.
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