Good point about the group being self-correcting. I find in many-t0-many collaborations, especially digital ones, is that you can’t just dance and wave your arms to make a point. Things are really transparent because someone can very quickly post a link that supports or denies a point someone is making. I think digitally, we are forced to be more precise with our ideas.

A big barrier in my mind is a general fear of the messiness of many-to-many conversations. As well as the fear of being misunderstood. But in my experience the group that’s interacting seems to self-correct and the conversations are way more fun and engaging.

I think again it comes down to the command/control way of thinking vs. the collaboration model. The standard way of doing things in the past has stifled any initiative that anyone without a major authoritative title might have. I think some staff are afraid of taking the initiative in speaking out in whatever medium is available.

There’s a lot more to it than that, but those are the thoughts off the top of my head. This topic sounds like a good blog post topic though.

What do you think are the barriers to having our staff communicate with each other in “many-to-many” conversations? The platforms exist, but people aren’t using them.

I think the first two points (at least the principles of them) should be a huge priority in our organization globally.

Having access to regional and nationally directors via a blog (at the minimum) and/or social media puts a human face on the organization and helps us know what they’re thinking about. The cost is minimal and the benefit of these tools can be great….can our staff grasp this?

Secondly, I think we need to give some intentional thought not just creating a platform for volunteers to engage and communicate but also our staff. We have to grow in our ability to communicate with each other in “many-to-many” conversations. If we don’t figure this out and create a new communication culture it makes me a little fearful for the future.

That’s probably more of an affirmation than an answer. Oh well.

Take care!

I always enjoying reading your thoughts. They really challenge me to be better in what I do.

God bless.

U Matt