Joe Gerstandt | keynote speaker, freedom fighter, freak-flag flier

* disclaimer: one of my favorite books is The Answer to How is Yes by Peter Block, so this post may only further frustrate those looking for a “real answer” *

In response to a recent post of mine, a reader asks “how”

Good morning, Joe. I like your message — be good to each other. It’s simple and true. However, I want to challenge you a little, make you think 😉

We as employees/employers/business people must seek more than general ideals. We need to actively search for solutions.

So, how do you build communities? What blog postings provide specific experiences and your suggestions? Or better yet, what are the methods you use to think AND ACT creatively?

Many times, when I act and/or solve, I talk to another experienced friend, then I use that conversation as a diving-off point. It’s not “wholly” my work. It still includes some conformity, but it should be just a start.

How do you grow people? How do you mentor? Thanks!

This is a great question and a question that pops up regularly in my work and a question that I have given a great deal of thought to.

So.

I think that this is a good opportunity for me to clarify some of the what, why and how of my work and answer (or not answer, depending on your perspective) Eric’s questions.

I speak, consult, facilitate and blog) and my work is intended to help organizations and communities evolve by better understanding:

• Inclusive Culture (diversity, inclusion, organizational culture, etc.)
  
• Innovative Practices (innovation, creativity, social media, dialogue, open space, learning circles, etc.)
  
• Integral Leadership (new leadership, authenticity, integrity, empathy, etc.)
  
• Intentional Relations (dialogue, communication, relational capital, social capital, etc.)
  

I have spent a great deal of time studying and working with these issues and I help clients make decisions and implement, but I believe very strongly that I do not know what the answer to “How?” is for any of my clients.  I can support them in answering that question and I can help them move forward once they have answered it, but they have to answer the question for themselves. 

I am not the answer man and I do not know your solution.  I do not believe in “best practices” as we commonly use them and I think that people selling answers and solutions to complex issues do not really understand complex issues and do us all a great disservice.  I think that a big part of the reason that most “self-help” books do not lead to actual behavior change and the reason that most organizational change initiatives do not take root is because they both tend to be the application of someone else’s answer to your question…someone else’s well polished, well packaged, well priced solution to your problem.

Human beings are wonderfully complex (Getting to Maybe does a wonderful job of clarifying the difference between complex, complicated and simple) and dynamic and contextual in nature.  Every single one of us is unique.  Every single one of our interactions is unique and is influenced by a multitude of variables.  We are not static or linear and we cannot be predicted.  Our relationships, organizations and communities are not static and cannot be predicted.  There is no blue print.  This is not rocket science; this is far more complex than rocket science.

I cannot tell people or organizations how to move forward or they will be doing whatever they do for the wrong reason and it will likely not be sustainable.  I am the question guy…I help make sure the right questions are being asked.  I know that this is frustrating for some and I know that I could probably make more money selling solutions and silver bullets, but I do something different.  If you really want answers and solutions, there is no shortage of people selling them.

I am a fan of C. Otto Scharmer and I like to reference one of the models from his book, Theory U.  He says there are basically four types of disconnects that stand between us and our potential (individually or collectively):

Of these four gaps, there are two that I can directly help with.  There is a lot of research that we can draw on and a lot of things that we can examine towards a better understanding of communication, human nature, group dynamics…all of which helps with “Seeing What We Do” and “Recognizing What We See.”

The other two gaps involve deeper more personal work and again, I can help to make sure the right questions are being asked, but I cannot provide the answer.

Here are some of the core questions that I share (in one form or another) with individuals, organizations and communities that are wanting to learn and better tap into their potential:

Do I know who I am?

Do I know what I am here for?

Do I know what my gift is?

Am I acting accordingly? 

So.

In response to Eric’s questions (How do you build community? How do you grow people? How do you mentor?) I say this…

It does not matter how I do these things.  It also does not matter how the biggest, shiniest consulting firm does it, how 4 out of 5 dentists do it or how Jack Welch did it.  What matters is whether or not you are willing and able to answer (truly answer) the big questions for yourself, and know what truly matters to you.  Then you will be able to answer your tactical questions in a sustainable and organic way. 

I have a friend that has been planning to start a blog for about the past 18 months.  He has asked me for input several times; he has now read a couple of books about blogging and has read numerous lists on how to be a successful blogger.  Some of that information was valuable to him initially, but he is now looking outside for answers that can only be found inside.

He knows what he needs to know about blogging.  He probably knows more about blogging than most bloggers do.  It no longer matters what any list says about blogging successfully.  He is now at a point where the only thing left of any value is for him to get clear about what really matters to him and about why he is doing this…and take action.  He will probably make some mistakes and that will be one of the most valuable things for him. 

We need to get past this dysfunctional idea of mistake as failure and this ill founded reliance on “expertise.”

In conducting my workshops and presentations I provide ideas and examples related to the topic I am speaking to and those examples can be helpful in initially understanding something, but to borrow a line from an organization that I have found to be very valuable…

“…the answers will come if your own house is in order.“

Be Good To Each Other.