The incredibly far reaching Industrial Age imprisonment, crushing our dreams

Why is there so much frustration and so many people that don’t really do what they long to do, what they dream to do?

Ever since I have written a book, every time I present it, I get more questions on how I managed to write and publish it, than on the book itself! So many people dream to write a book, or have written a book already!

Ever since I have announced to the world that I was leaving the comfortable corporate environment to be an entrepreneur, I get more questions on how I manage to do it than on my actual project itself! So many people dream to start their business, so many people have a truly good business idea ready for application!

The answer is obvious, of course: fear, which often hides behind busy-ness (being busy on actions with little impact, spending one’s time). All of this entertained by Industrial Age institutions, which repeat endlessly how inappropriate it is to be weird, to have initiative, and lock us into a system from which it is difficult to escape.

Of course these institutions look like they provide us with a stable, safe environment. That was maybe true in the past, but today we know that’s really overrated. No job is really safe today in any corporation. Still, we cling to that mindset for lack of another safe haven. And the Industrial Age system also cleverly provided barriers to our dreams: large mortgages that limit drastically our financial freedom; tax, professional and immigration legislation that limit our freedom of movement or of choosing our activity.

parachute tandem jump
do you need a buddy for tandem jump?

There are ways to minimize risk when starting a venture. Have good advice and support from people who have gone through the transition (like you stay safe during your first free fall jump by having an experienced person jumping in tandem with you). Have a parachute already open that slows down your scary dynamics (a signed contract, savings…) and gives you more time. Have encouragement and support from your family and friends.

You know what? It is rare to find someone who has jumped out of the Industrial Age system and has really, deeply failed. Of course people go through temporary failures until they find their way; they might not seek and get those shiny things that Industrial Age ego would crave (a larger car, a larger house, etc); still, overall I find that people who jumped are more happy. And above all their contribution to the world is just tremendous.

I can barely imagine how the world will be when a significant portion of people will have jumped outside the Industrial Age, when the number of K.E.E.Ns will have increased dramatically, and when all these people will share their talents and contributions with all of us, creating a very different place to live.

Let’s go and do it. Overcome your fear. Become a real K.E.E.N.. Come on, jump!

 

 

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Remember that a critic is a dreamer gone scared

I read this sentence in one of the long lists of principles sent by Robin Sharma from time to time. I’m not a great fan of Robin Sharma (in particular of his marketing strategy and the way he puts himself in the spotlight), but for once one of his sentences stuck.

Let’s read it once more:

Remember that a critic is a dreamer gone scared

When you think about it, this is so true. Often critics are people who would not dare to do what you are doing (or attempting). People who have been scared so many times, or had bad experiences trying to do things out of the box.

Nasty critics are those who have grown frustrated so much that their entire life is just filled with frustration and bitterness.

I don’t want to end up like a nasty critic of others. So, the best way is to overcome fear and do unconventional things. And understand what it takes.

Because be certain that fear will be there as soon as you try to deviate from the well-worn path of normality. Deep, moving, gut-wrenching fear.

What’s the solution? Ask yourself the question: What is the worst that could happen to me if it goes wrong?

Often, the risk is minimal (beyond the risk to appear ridiculous to others). Leaning into the fear, overcoming fear can be practiced. Lean into the fear and jump!

Wait – we can also help the nasty critics. Should they have the occasion to overcome their fear, once, to do something that matters, their life could be transformed. Ask them: What is the worst thing that could happen to you if you follow your dreams? And help them to follow through. That would be the greatest gift for them. And the world.

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The power of the fable and telling stories

I just read ‘Our Iceberg is Melting’, a short fable by John Kotter and Holger Rathgeber (a name which coincidentally in German, means advice-giver!).


John Kotter is a change guru that has written a bunch of serious business books about Change. Yet is seems that his ideas spread more rapidly and effectively in the form of a short fable with large illustrations about a bunch of penguins living on an iceberg.

Now comes the difficult question: what is the best, having the greatest idea backed by 20 years of careful research and put down in a series of long serious books, or simplified and put down in a nice attractive simple book counting a memorable story, that can be read in one hour?

The best answer is certainly – both. But if you can’t do both then certainly the fable is the best medium to get your idea across. Marketing is key to get the interest. Then only the depth of your understanding will come to light when people will start asking questions.

It is amazing how a fable can be a wonderful educational and marketing tool. Our ancestors new about the educational. Why don’t we use it more for marketing our ideas?

When do you start counting stories around?

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Soft Power Leadership: what about a book?

What do you think about a book on “Soft Power Leadership?”

Following my previous blog, I’ve been thinking about this concept for a while and I believe it could be my next book.

It is so obvious that what distinguishes successful leaders today lies in soft power. And while the new form of leadership I describe in the book, “mutual learning leadership” is still very typical of the Fourth Revolution, “soft power” seems to be a great concept to describe what makes specific individuals remarkable. And incredibly successful.

Because it is a mix of personal and inter-personal mastery, quiet, soft power is really a great way to describe those personalities and leadership styles.

What do you think of the idea? You contribution and reaction (positive or negative) is welcome!

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We are the generation of the Fourth Revolution. We will shape the world

Willingly or not, we are the generation of the Fourth Revolution.

We will shape the world. It is our destiny.

It is our responsibility and our opportunity.

Let’s shape a world we will proud to leave to our children.

Let us thrive, and at the same time, make the world thrive

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Four keys to success in the Collaborative Age – the Fourth Revolution Manifesto part VII is online!!!

Now that we have investigated in depth the Fourth Revolution and how it will change the world, we can now focus on what will make individuals successful. Find out four keys to personal success in the Collaborative world in part 7 of the Fourth Revolution Manifesto – now online.

Cover of the Fourth Revolution manifesto part 7
Cover of the Fourth Revolution manifesto part 7

You can access the part VII of the Fourth Revolution Manifesto – FOUR keys to success in the Collaborative Age by clicking on the link. You can also read and share the document on Scribd – it has a great reader and can also be used as a backup if the above link does not work: the Fourth Revolution Manifesto – part 7 on Scribd .

Don’t hesitate to comment and bring in suggestions in the comments to this blog post!

Can’t wait to see the conclusion? Next week, in the final part of the Fourth Revolution Manifesto we’ll finally discuss your choice – and why you are important for the Fourth Revolution.

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The organization Revolution – the part 5 of the Manifesto is online!

Organizations – the core value producing institutions of the Industrial Age – will be fundamentally transformed. They will become OPEN and FLUID. Discover the new philosophy of organizations and how it will transform the world in part 5 of the Fourth Revolution Manifesto!

Fourth Revolution Manifesto part V cover

You can access the fourth part of the Fourth Revolution Manifesto – the ORGANIZATION REVOLUTION by clicking on the link. You can also read and share the document on Scribd – it has a great reader and can also be used as a backup if the above link does not work: the Fourth Revolution Manifesto – part V on Scribd .

Don’t hesitate to comment and bring in suggestions in the comments to this blog post!

Can’t wait to see the follow-up?

The next Part of the Fourth Revolution manifesto will be published around February 13.

We’ll dive deep into the consequences of the Fourth Revolution in institutions like government, education and intellectual property – the Institutions Revolution!

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Giving is the basis of the new collaborative value creation

Giving always was valuable. It created connections in the real world, and sometimes -rarely- through the post.

The value of giving for free has exploded. Today, more people are giving more value for free than ever before.
giving out to the world
When you post anything on the internet, you give out to the world. The entire world.

I’m sure many people don’t even realize that.

But, why would you implement complex systems to deter people from using what you give out?

Everyday I use contents posted by other people to nourish my thinking.
Everyday I use contents posted by other people to better communicate my ideas to other people.

And, everyday, I give out to the world. On my blog, on the contents of my website, on the links I recommend.

The value of the Collaborative World is based on free giving. What is preventing you from starting, today, right now?

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Giving is the basis of thriving relationships

Giving is the base of relationships. Any relationship.

giving

When you stop giving, the relationship fades.

When you give more, the relationship shines.

Connection is through giving first.

You will always receive more than you give. But you need to give first to establish confidence and the relationship.

So, when do you start giving for free?

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A new leadership style needed: ‘mutual learning’

mutual learning leadership
The Fourth Revolution will bring in a new type of leadership. Beyond the previous types of leadership:

  • command and control leadership,
  • rational leadership,
  • tranformational leadership,

the new leadership style will be ‘mutual learning’. In this style, the leader is not supposed to be the reference for the Vision, or giving the direction. The team is mutually accountable and defines together their Vision.

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