Technology, Trust & Transparency

Meghan (@irishgirl) Nancy (@nylons)

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Technology, Trust, and Transparency

(Why is this so hard?)

The evolution of organizations.

automationcontrollocation

timehuman cogs

And then...the internet.

locationtime

In markets and among employees, people are speaking to each other in a powerful new way.

“Hyperlinks subvert hierarchy.

These conversations are enabling new forms of social organization and knowledge exchange to emerge.”

2000

2010

Why is this so hard?

Our brains are stuck.

• We’re conflicted about the blurry line between personal and professional.

• Organizations are designed to achieve routine outputs, and communication is no longer a routine output.

• We want to believe that technology alone can solve our problem.

• Collaboration and communication are processes, not tidy achievements. 

• Technology evolves faster than individuals, and individuals evolve faster than organizations.

This feels hard because it is hard.

Um, okay.Now what?

What are the values of your organization?

How can you support those values through information-sharing, collaboration and communication?

• How do you want to be perceived?

• What you are comfortable sharing?

• Who can you connect with?

• How much time are you willing to commit?

Talking What do we say?

Listening What are others saying?Does it require an answer or response?

Community-building How can we facilitate connections between others?How can we learn from those conversations?

Sharing How can we encourage conversations about us?

Internet Thinking

Put hierarchy in its place.

• Where in your organization have hyperlinks subverted hierarchy? Where should they?

• Where are there obstacles that technology could render obsolete?

• Where is the organization getting in the way of the mission?

Educate & Empower• Examine your organization critically

• Define your culture and lead by example

• Create a messaging platform

• Set and communicate expectations

• Provide tools: policies, guidelines and assets

• Conduct workshops

Our policy.

Acknowledge that everyone represents your organization.

Give people the tools they need to tell your story.

Harness personal networks.

(Give @meeterica a shout-out!)

Think about how to let people do things, instead of how to

make them do things.

Be trustworthy.

At its best, technology can connect and empower us in

ways we haven’t yet imagined.

Recommended ReadingThe Cluetrain Manifesto, Rick Levine, Christopher Locke, Doc Searls, David Weinberger, Jake McKee

Here Comes Everybody: The Power of Organizing Without Organizations, Clay Shirky

Cognitive Surplus, Clay Shirky

Recommended ViewingTEDTalk, Amanda Palmer: The art of asking

TEDxAtlanta, Rhonda Lowry: Community

Thank you.