Do you build fences and walls? What is the purpose of your fence and wall? Who is it for? Does it keep somebody/something in or out? Castles, prisons, farmers, and resort hotels each build walls and fences but they served very different purposes. If you do not know your purpose, you may unintentionally find yourself on the wrong side of the wall you are building.
Author: whatifconcepts
Coat of Arms
If you were to design a coat of arms for yourself, how would it manifest itself? What symbols would you include? Colors? Accents? What would be the story contained within the shield? What if you were to merge with another kingdom? What symbols would you keep? Which would you be willing to forgo in order to make space to incorporate symbols that were important to your new partner?
Generous Instructions
You may have memorized the path but how does an individual who is new to your enterprise navigate their way? Today I was locked in a room that I had entered with a key card. The only way out was to use the interior door and then come around the outside and re-enter with my key card and prop the door open in order to remove my bags. I am sure there was a simple way out but somebody made the assumption that everyone would know how to do it. I needed instructions and nobody was around to help so I improvised. I am guessing I am not the first one who has found the exit confusing.
What assumptions are keeping you from serving those who are seeking you? How can you add value by being more generous in directing them towards you?
Experts Everywhere
I am not certain what qualifies one as a shaving expert but I do not challenge the claim. Experience has demonstrated that experts are everywhere. Experts who know a bit more than you or I and are generous enough to share the information. We are experts also, it is just a question of where and when we share our expertise.
A Vision From Here
There is value in starting from where you are instead of trying to return for a clean piece of paper. Take Ruth Oosterman who uses her 2-year old’s sketches as the foundation for her finished work. Their collaboration is intriguing and arguably richer due to the individual visions finding a point of confluence. How can you create a more powerful vision starting from where you are today?
Simple Things, Profound Interactions
List an older bike stand for working on road or mountain bikes on craigslist. Within a couple hours I received eight replies expressing interest and each email told a story suggesting a need more profound than the transaction I was attempting to undertake. Sometimes simple opportunities are highly desired and people are willing to share their stories to express the value of an interaction.
Authority
When did we have to start announcing that we have information on “good authority.” How was the cycle of trust with authority broken sufficiently that we need to start qualifying our source of information. What were the circumstances to so disappoint someone with erroneous information that authority could no longer be trusted. Are you an enterprise that relies on authority or good authority?
Streets Are for People
Paradigm shift? What if we started with the belief that streets are for people. Vehicles are some of the transportation tools we use to access streets but streets do not exist solely to serve vehicles. When we consider all the possible way people can interface with streets new opportunities appear. When we think differently, we open the possibility for remarkable interactions. How often do we challenge our assumptions?
Remarkably Generous
A refrain in the social sector is to refer to nonprofit boards as ‘working boards.’ Implying that the board is in charge, taking action, and not rubber stamping directives from the Executive Director. Visit a meeting of a ‘working board’ and it is not uncommon to find exceptions to the working sentiment. Committee meetings postponed, attendance mixed, materials not reviewed prior to a session, and a small minority of attendees fully understand the topic in front of the board. Despite a commitment to working, effectiveness does not always follow.
Seth Godin implored us to be generous in our interactions. Set-up systems that are easy to understand, user-friendly, and engage. Curate topics to be discussed that amplify the board’s strengths. Send out materials in a timely manner and be generous in what you assemble, relevant, compelling and concise. Set clear expectations and state the session’s purpose. Close with a commander’s intent framework. Allow the expeditionary team to outline actionable next steps and select a captain to oversee their journey. Agree upon the group’s guidelines during meetings, we know what to do with our electronic devices when the airline closes the cabin door.
How would remarkable generosity manifest itself in your enterprise? How would it feel? What would it look like? Would a first time visitor be able to navigate your process? How can the working board be empowered to be the generous board?
The Human Connection
Simon Sinek reminds us that personal human interactions are critical to forming trust. How do our in-person actions enhance our relationships?
What-if-concepts 