“Ideas are Like Networks: Most Powerful when Shared”
– Author of the One Big Idea Blog
“Don’t tell anyone!”
“Don’t give away your ideas!”
“Don’t give away your ideas for free!”
“Guard your personal and professional networks!”
Does any of this sound familiar? All well-meaning advice, probably rooted in a past (actual or perceived) injustice for someone, but in the end, completely wrong.
Strong words, I know, and only one opinion on the subject, but join me in the following paragraphs for a minute or three, and see if you come to a similar conclusion. One observation: whether you do or not will depend at least as much on your own view of the world at this very moment, as it will on your view of the same world after you read this One Big Idea.
Have you worked with idea and information hoarders? Are you one yourself, operating with the view that keeping things to yourself about “how stuff really gets done in the company” will make you more secure in your position, more important and a “go-to” person? How well does that generally work, and by the way, how much ill-will does it generate when the “keys to the secret door” are closely held?
Looking at this more broadly, how well does a brilliant idea evolve when one committed mind works on it, versus when thirty committed and collaborative minds do?
In terms of networks – and by that, I mean, trusted, high-quality and high-value networks, not the ten thousand “friends and followers” you may have across the various social media platforms – how significant and far-reaching can your network be, if your approach is to stuff it under the proverbial mattress like a crumpled dollar bill you are afraid to lose?
Do you live in a world where ideas are scarce? You only have “one chance” to get it right, make your mark, make it big? Where control and being a gatekeeper is power?
Change your world.
More accurately, change your view of the world, because in reality, ideas are out there for the grasping, by the fistfuls and more. The “win” is not in the idea itself but in its development, execution and delivery. Let’s be real: I’m not suggesting (necessarily!) that you post a half-developed idea online and expose it to millions, nor that you take a cavalier approach when it comes to developing that idea. Use necessary protections like non-disclosure agreements, letters of intent, contracts and other such devices.
Same with your core and most valued network.
Make introductions, create linkages, facilitate collaborations – but think about a few guiding principles:
- If you introduce two respected and trusted parties to each other, make it clear that is what you are doing – each is likely to treat the other with commensurate respect and consideration
- If one or both parties are relatively unknown to you, make that clear as well, so that either or both of them can do their own due diligence
- When you are introduced, make it your mission to enhance the relationship that enabled the introduction, and ensure that you immediately add clear value to either or both parties
To be clear, I am assuming sincerity of intention and action in the foregoing!
Is this Big Idea making some sense to you?
What does it Mean?
My view is that there are plenty of ideas and opportunities for “success” out in the world, no matter how you define success. Similarly, there are billions of potential connections to be made, but the key is to create connections that are genuine, meaningful and based on more than reciprocating favours or focusing on “usefulness”.
Controlling your idea flow or your network as if they are scarce or need to be guarded sets up the wrong dynamic in your own mind, and guarantees lost opportunity when compared with an approach that is more open, inclusive and collaborative (but still thoughtfully executed).
There is ample robust material out there on the value-compounding impact of the Network Effect (simply put, the idea that the more people use a product or service, the more it becomes valuable) and an increasing recognition that this applies as much to idea-generation and innovation, as it does to growing personal and professional networks.
Sharing your once-in-a-lifetime idea with trusted family, friends or colleagues with proper protections in place – a handshake with some, protection of intellectual property with others – has the potential to drive its design, development and uptake in ways that you may not imagine on your own.
Networks, again the genuine, high-value relationships and linkages in your personal and professional life, equally become more valuable and mutually enriching as they grow. They will inevitably help you raise your own levels of performance, impact and contribution, broaden your reach and ascend to new heights.
Let’s Get Practical
This One Big Idea may appear to lack objective supporting evidence for its core thesis.
Perhaps it does, and that’s OK: this blog is not published to convince anyone of anything, including the merit of the eventual collection of One Big Idea(s) that will have found their way here. If the posts here succeed in motivating you to consider their topics, assess their suggestions and reflect on the underpinning experiences, that will be a worthwhile outcome.
The validation for you will be in your own contemplation – and eventual application – of this One Big Idea. A couple of thoughts:
- Share your network by introducing game-changers to each other – the outcome can only be excellent
- Introduce younger members of your high-value network to more senior people who could mentor them, share some valuable hard-won experience or otherwise help them advance personally or professionally
- Share an idea you are thinking about with someone who has no connection to the subject matter, or with a small group of trusted friends or colleagues, ask for input
- Actively shift from an information-hoarder to a fountain of information at work and observe what happens
- If you are active on social media, give away a couple of ideas to discussion groups, innovation sites, problem-solving discussion groups – and expect nothing in return
- Think about someone who is working on their own “grand idea”, enrich it for them through some contribution from you
- Organize your own Mastermind Group
By the Way…
Some of this material may come across as being perhaps too optimistic about the better nature of human beings, a bit naïve to the risks posed by self-interest, manipulation and outright Machiavellian behaviour.
Not so, I assure you. The positive posture and view of the world is one I take consciously and intentionally for a wide variety of reasons. Topic for another blog post (maybe).
Sharing potentially revolutionary ideas or, granting (yes, I said granting) access to your most treasured relationships or your good name, is not without risk.
Several years ago, I came to learn that an industry colleague with whom I had enjoyed many positive interactions, rich and interesting discussions on a range of topics, and some substantive collaboration, had been let go by his employer. This happens with some frequency in this industry group, and given the gentleman’s (very positive) profile, I naturally offered to share any news I heard about suitable potential roles. More than that, I did something that I later regretted: I explicitly offered “carte blanche” – saying he was welcome to use my name for reference purposes without asking ahead of time. I actively recommended him to others in the industry.
Big mistake.
This chap – a senior executive with a global remit, and therefore no excuse based on a “mistake” or “not knowing better” – had allegedly accepted money from a technology company to influence a vendor selection process, and was then the subject of an investigation. Details that, in accepting my offer of help (for whatever it might have been worth), he did not feel obliged to share.
You can appreciate the potential consequences. An extremely isolated incident, a useful lesson, but in the end, not one that will materially change my approach.
I look forward to reading about the thousand candles lit by this One Big Idea!
