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Oct
9
Confessions of a (former) control freak
Filed Under Autonomy, Social web, People
David Tebbutt finds out at Creative Coffee Club meeting in London why social networks are no place for control freaks:
Inside organisations, we are all trained to prepare for meetings, to have agendas, objectives, checklists and actions. The theory is to conduct the proceedings as efficiently as possible and have a means of control if things get out of hand.
Accordingly, my thoughts about the CCC were to let people mingle for a while, then tap a glass to attract their attention and make an objectives-type announcement. My colleagues were much too polite to call me mad. They just said: “Hmmm. Not quite what we had in mind.”
Agendas and objectives for meetings are for people who don’t want to be there. If you have things you want to talk about or share, care about a project or want to connecting with others, you will have plenty to say. The crucial thing is to have the right people there - they are those who choose to be there. And we are back to autonomy…
In such gatherings a structure will emerge. There is no need to impose objectives or agendas that often represent a thinly disguised command & control attitude. The result may not be what you are used to, or imagined or would like others to conform to but something will happen alright. And most likely it will be a lot better than anything you could come up with. [Insert a respectful nod to Johnnie Moore who both preaches and practices this.]
The funny thing is that David and I used to meet in Dana Centre cafe for discussions that lasted several hours at a time and never seem to come to a natural halt. There was no structure or even an objective other than enjoyment of talking about stuff we both found interesting.
I also have a confession to make - it was the internet that has driven the futility of control freakery home for me too. Once you start blogging, interacting and communicating, there is no point in trying to make people pay attention to you, let alone force or manipulate them to do what you consider right or appropriate. And anyone, whether an individual or business will struggle with the web until realise that they should control what they can, not what they wish they could.
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3 Responses to “Confessions of a (former) control freak”
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London VRM meetings
[…] meetings with agendas and objectives suck October 9th, 2007 Agendas and objectives for meetings are for people who don’t want to be there. If you have things you want to talk about or share, care about a project or want to connecting […]
Hi Adriana.
I’m not sure I’m cured you know. What I have learned is the value of emergence and the value of weak ties. Neither is intuitive, both deliver value.
You may have noticed that I’m now keeping an even closer eye on the social networking world through my role with research/analyst firm Freeform Dynamics.
The Dana meetups were head-bursting affairs: you with so much knowledge/insight and me with so little. But like a masochist hooking up with a sadist, I kept coming back for more.
Gosh, it’s been ten months. Time for more flagellation?
“anyone, whether an individual or business will struggle with the web until realise that they should control what they can, not what they wish they could.”
What I like about how you put that is the bit about controlling what you can. I interpret that as about being and doing in the here-and-now; and the way that small, possible and immediate things have all sorts of different, maybe bigger and unexpected effects later on that surprise you.
As one who struggles quite a lot, I find your words incredibly meaningful. Thanks!