There is audible frustration that current professional sport all-star games are becoming performative. There is little incentive to win, concerns about injuries, protective egos, and a growing apathy. How might an all-star event become noteworthy? Who is an all-star game for, the players or the fans? How might we ensure we are not hosting events that become irrelevant, even when we have the right people in the room?
When a group does something noteworthy once, we call it a blip. But if they repeat it again, and again, and again, we search for clues. During a school’s annual day of giving, the graduates from the class of 1988 participate at an extraordinary rate. There is nothing unique about these graduates, no celebrity offering tickets to their next event or incentive scheme that makes participation transactional. Simply put, one class member dedicated themselves to staying in contact (pre-social media) with most of the class. They sent out several emails before and during the one-day philanthropy event. Class members respond, and the cascade of contributions flows, with the participation rate edging toward 80% (the above screenshot was taken before all gifts were made). Other class agents attempt to replicate the giving patterns of the class of ’88 with mixed results but usually cannot sustain the participation rate. The class of ’88 is an outlier, not necessarily managed by the school, but a once-a-year revival.
How might your cause embrace your outliers? Where do you offer support? Where do you stand aside and allow the organic nature of their actions to proceed, unencumbered by systems? Which outlier activities are transferable, and which are not easy to replicate?
Alternate routes, alternate team members, and alternate itineraries are not for everyone. It is the road less traveled, a side track that reinforces the primary route and, by name, implies it is less significant. However, it gets us further down the trail if required. Consider all the Olympic and World Championship events where an alternate team member is sitting on the bench, at home, or competing at a secondary event. These remarkable individuals were one place away from making the team. They were tantalizing close to being in the game. Due to their consistent presence, insights and support, they are a catalyst for the selected athletes.
Who are your organization’s alternates? The individuals not on the staff or the board but who can jump in when necessary. The substitute teacher that fills in for any absent teacher. The volunteer who can jump in at the last minute to engage with donors or run a checkout station during the big gala. The former staff member who knows how to coax a report from an aging software system. Having highly competent reserves ensures your enterprise continues its journey even when an alternate travel route is required.
Near the end of Prince’s rendition of Purple Rain at the 2007 Super Bowl, he knocks over the microphone and turns his song over to the crowd. Tens of thousands sing the final rounds of the chorus. It was the summation of a phenomenal halftime show. For the majesty of the performance, the group participation at the conclusion took the experience to a legendary crescendo.
When we share the stage, our generosity is often rewarded with a feeling of ownership and personal fulfillment that cannot be replicated by acoustic osmosis. How might we share the stage with our fans so we can produce the best version of our collective work?
Wayfinding parallels solving the New York Times Letter Boxed game. There is no perfect solution; sometimes, we rely on patterns we encounter in other parts of our journey. We are endeavoring to stay in the game, relying on what we can achieve now, even if it is a three-letter word, to reach the next attempt. Solve the puzzle in one remarkable turn; you are a genius. Complete the game in five guesses, and you are a player. If it takes six or more turns, you are still in the game and acquired knowledge that will serve you well in the next chapter. Even when we backtrack and undo a previous guess, we still navigate toward a waypoint that moves us closer to delivering the work that matters.
Unless a person joins you on the trail, it is tough to recreate all we experience en route. We cannot easily replicate the moments of doubt, the dirt and grimness pressing into our skin, the awe of an unexpected vista, the frustration of missing a trail junction, and the exuberance of a tailwind and friendly grade. Our photos, videos, and narratives might capture a snapshot but do not augment reality. The most compelling way we gain a comprehension of the terrain is if we join the expedition. Thru-hikers embed themselves and accumulate experiences that add exponential depth and dimension.
The highest likelihood of supporting somebody’s understanding of the work that matters is to join the adventure and walk a section of the trail.
Your work is special, no matter how similar the route is to those who transited before your voyage. Embrace the nuances, the subtle distinctions, the errant brush strokes, and the highlights that pop a little more than the masterpiece you referenced as a model. It is yours. If we wanted to see the original, it is either visible or gone forever. Your version adds depth and dimension, even if your creation has been attempted thousands of times.
What does an impactful annual report look and feel like? I would suggest the five-minute report uploaded on the vlogbrothers YouTube channel is a remarkable template. Surprisingly, the biggest impact turned out to be the advocacy work contributed by numerous members of the Nerdfighteria community.
Bank of Nerdfighteria Annual Report (Transcript)
There are three outputs I intend to personally focus on daily. The amount of effort I put into a moment, the mindset in which I encounter the moment, and the posture I assume at any given moment. It is not a complex toolbox but contains areas of focus that impact how I embrace or collide with real-time events. To provide a bit more depth and dimension, I am defining these concepts as follows:
Effort = exertion, energy, action, attention, focus, force
Mindset = attitude, mood, philosophy, belief, perspective, approach
Posture = pose, presence, stature, position, geography, phase
I have not developed a metric to track each concept yet, but considering creative methods to capture the flow of each output.
What guiding areas of focus support your efforts to create the best rendition of your work?
Some things amaze me. I might be impressed by scrolling social media, navigating a city, or walking in nature. Not all of these moments of wonder add value to my journey. Some are worth a glance, but few are worth double-clicking on to explore further. How might we assess if our primary motivation is to amaze our audience or contribute to their odyssey? Are we curating moments for Klout or customizing a benefit that serves those who follow?
What-if-concepts 