RSAde: Are we managers or gardeners?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matthew Kálmán Mezey on July 21, 2011 at 15:54

Hi Jemima,

 

I look forward to reading through all these - and really like the idea of an 'informed lightness'.

 

I generally enjoy Euan's points, and remember reading this post of his. His book should be a great help, when it appears. I remember quibbling with him occasionally – probably when he seems to me to be getting a bit too, well..., one-sided or 'utopian'.

 

That said, there was an interesting discussion on Andrew McAfee's Enterprise 2.0 blog a little while back where at least one informed commenter pointed out when and how the 'Trojan Mice' grassroots approach had failed, in his personal experience.

 

I can't remember what post it was under. Perhaps this one: http://andrewmcafee.org/2010/12/control-technology-choice-not-techn...

 

I guess the truth is that we all have to be careful not to fixate on any blueprint - even Euan Semple's blueprint that would deny being a blueprint ;-)

 

BTW, I only just spotted that Etienne Wenger, Nancy White and John Smith have a book out titled Digital Habits - stewarding technology for communities. It certainly looks like it could help in this area...

 

Matthew

 

PS Perhaps Nudging is no longer the 'in' thing - after Baroness Neuberger's critical report, earlier this week! Did Matthew blog it...?

 

Permalink Reply by Jemima Gibbons on July 21, 2011 at 15:58

Thanks Matthew - and welcome!

Look forward to discussing these ideas with you in more depth.

Permalink Reply by Maureen Kendal on July 26, 2011 at 11:12

SKYPE meeting on 27th July - digital engagement

 

I would like to join the SKYPE meeting on 27th July - maureen.kendal
The next meeting for the #RSAde Group is on Wed 27 July at 16:00 BST via skype.

Please advise on how to  Confirm

Please advise on skype names etc

I am new to this.

Permalink Reply by Charlotte Britton on July 27, 2011 at 10:55

The one point which stood out for me was this comment 'Don't have a clear idea where you are headed.'.  You do need to have a clear idea of your goals or the purpose of the community.  The direction of travel is less important but as long as the majority of people involved are engaged, it' then about curating or gardening or facilitating to reach the end goal (if it's a project based community) or to stay on topic.

That's the key thing in all of this.  People come together as they share a similar passion for a topic or discussion or project.  If the group doesn't stay true to the intentions of the group, people loose interest.  So it's up to the moderators to facilitate and grow the coversation around the intentions of the group. As Jemima says, that's more about gardening than directly managing, through weaving conversations and threads.

Permalink Reply by Jemima Gibbons on July 27, 2011 at 11:07

Very good point Charlotte!

 

Though I suspect Euan was probably aiming this more at managers who over-manage than at leftfield hippie types, so the "clear idea" is in the context of the tendency of management teams to over-prepare and get themselves paralysed in some sort of indecisive procrastination.

 

In these case, maybe a "rough idea" is good enough?

Permalink Reply by Charlotte Britton on July 27, 2011 at 11:09

Absolutely a rough idea is fine.  As with all things the overall rough idea may evolve as well, but as long as the community are engaged with the intentions and goals, then managing the flux and progress just adds to the wealth and value within.