Rebels, Coalitions, and Communities - How does one find like minded folks? #CoP
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Robert L. Bogue
Friends –
I’m working on another book review (surprise). I stumbled across an interesting (to me) question. How does one find like minded folks? How do we make our communities places that people want to find, seek out, and participate?
The context is that the book speaks about rebels and insubordination. It’s clear that it’s a lonely road and – as we all know – it’s a much smoother and rewarding road when you have others along. The language is the formation of a coalition. However, I struggle with that word because while it’s operational in the technical sense it loses the deeper meaning of having someone walking with you that understands you and supports you. I also struggled as I reviewed my references and realized that no one seems intent to speak about *how* to build a coalition beyond the imperative of a common purpose or idea. Great. But how does one find people with the similar mindset – or attract them.
I thought that the folks here might have some interesting thoughts about how to build a community that attracts people with similar interests on how to find like-minded people to build a coalition (a presumably more active engagement.)
Thoughts?
Rob
------------------- Robert L. Bogue O: (317) 844-5310 M: (317) 506-4977 Blog: http://www.thorprojects.com/blog Want to be confident about your change management efforts? https://ConfidentChangeManagement.com Are you burned out? https://ExtinguishBurnout.com can help you get out of it (for free)
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Monica Leftwich
Hi Robert. Simple: Use hashtags. Seriously. People will common interests are plastered all over social media. Join Facebook groups, follow Instagram and Tiktok hashtags yo see what these people are following and watching and listening to. From there, look for common themes, comments that get the most likes (or dislikes lol) and go from there. It may take some good old fashion market (or even behavioral) research but it maybe a good starting point. Good luck!
On Sun, Jun 19, 2022, 12:13 PM Robert L. Bogue <rbogue@...> wrote:
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Stephen Bounds
Hi Rob, You could do worse than look at the various field naturalist organisations all over the globe. Many of these were founded in the 19th century and for 150 years or so, many have quietly but consistently assembled coalitions and communities of like-minded people who enjoy and want to preserve nature. To be honest, I have no idea how they do it. But they are clearly
doing something right! Cheers, ==================================== Stephen Bounds Executive, Information Management Cordelta E: stephen.bounds@... M: 0401 829 096 ==================================== On 20/06/2022 2:12 am, Robert L. Bogue
wrote:
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Robert L. Bogue
Stephen –
Thanks. When I was doing some work for Internet.com/Jupiter Media a decade ago I remember that they said that they didn’t build community sites, they bought them. They have dozens. (I managed a few for them.) It struck me as odd. Here’s an organization that had more communities in various technical tools and aspects – and yet they couldn’t (or didn’t invest the time) in figuring out the common characteristics that caused on community to form and others (that they didn’t buy) to languish.
For me, it’s probably a situation of creating the right conditions – that there’s no constructive formula – but I’ve not really seen a list of candidate conditions.
I’m also similarly curious about the fact that in marketing you’re told to find a narrow niche – but not too narrow. It’s fascinating to me how people will come together around a narrow topic but not necessarily the broader – and how there are times when we need to combine or split communities.
It feels like there’s some interesting principles here, if we can just discover them.
Rob
------------------- Robert L. Bogue O: (317) 844-5310 M: (317) 506-4977 Blog: http://www.thorprojects.com/blog Want to be confident about your change management efforts? https://ConfidentChangeManagement.com Are you burned out? https://ExtinguishBurnout.com can help you get out of it (for free)
From: main@SIKM.groups.io <main@SIKM.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Stephen Bounds via groups.io
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2022 5:09 AM To: main@SIKM.groups.io; SIKM@groups.io Subject: Re: [SIKM] Rebels, Coalitions, and Communities - How does one find like minded folks?
Hi Rob, You could do worse than look at the various field naturalist organisations all over the globe. Many of these were founded in the 19th century and for 150 years or so, many have quietly but consistently assembled coalitions and communities of like-minded people who enjoy and want to preserve nature. To be honest, I have no idea how they do it. But they are clearly doing something right! Cheers, ==================================== Stephen Bounds Executive, Information Management Cordelta E: stephen.bounds@... M: 0401 829 096 ==================================== On 20/06/2022 2:12 am, Robert L. Bogue wrote:
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Stephen Bounds
Hi Rob, My instinct is that there is likely to be a somewhat inverted
implementation of Coase's theorem when it comes to community
formation. To conduct a qualitative study about the process, I reckon we could obtain some interesting insights by surveying the moderators of Reddit communities (noting that it will produce greater numbers of niche communities due to the lower friction in operations). Happy to discuss further offline if this is something you would
like to collaborate on. Cheers, ==================================== Stephen Bounds Executive, Information Management Cordelta E: stephen.bounds@... M: 0401 829 096 ==================================== On 20/06/2022 9:26 pm, Robert L. Bogue
wrote:
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Hello Robert I would look at the startup that help create impactful communities that aims at changing the world Examples from France Best regards, Louis-Pierre _________________________________________________ Louis-Pierre Guillaume
On Sun, Jun 19, 2022 at 6:13 PM Robert L. Bogue <rbogue@...> wrote:
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Joitske Hulsebosch
Hi Robert, Interesting to read the different responses from hashtags to internal company communities. When I read your question "how to build a community that attracts people with similar interests on how to find like-minded people to build a coalition (a presumably more active engagement)" I thought of the work of Etienne Wenger and my experiences. What I advise and do is define the domain of the community very carefully - not too wide and not too narrow. For instance I have a dutch community around 'innovative learning with technologies' which has been going for 10 years. If it was 'learning with moodle' its focus would have been much smaller. Secondly it helps to have some thought leaders onboard. The thought leaders bring and attract their own crowd. There is a dutch book on communities which distinguised communities of practice (your first) and communities of purpose (your second). It would probably work differently in the second. @Stan Garfield what do you do? cheers, Joitske Hulsebosch
On Tue, 21 Jun 2022 at 10:55, Louis-Pierre Guillaume <louis-pierre@...> wrote:
--
Joitske Hulsebosch, Ennuonline 06-44730093 Tip: Ons nieuwe boek 'Blended leren ontwerpen' is uit. Je kunt het hier bestellen of de preview lezen op managementboek.
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Robert L. Bogue
I’m going to respond to a few of the messages I’ve seen together to minimize thread fragmentation.
First, thank you.
Second, the idea of hashtags is okay as a low gravity way to bring people together. It might help bring people together who are already in the same circles. However, I’ve never really seen people connect in this way. The proliferation of tags means that it should hit the noise level and the reticular activating system (RAS) should start to suppress awareness of them. Are any of you seeing something different?
Third, I love these community ideas. Their presence indicates that it’s possible to build coalitions. However, I’m still not sure on the “how.” Of course, it’s possible to roll the dice repeatedly and eventually get a positive result – but I’m wondering if there are conditions that might make a positive result more likely.
It feels like there’s something to be found for enabling and disabling conditions – that we might be able to manipulate to get better results.
Am I dreaming again?
------------------- Robert L. Bogue O: (317) 844-5310 M: (317) 506-4977 Blog: http://www.thorprojects.com/blog Want to be confident about your change management efforts? https://ConfidentChangeManagement.com Are you burned out? https://ExtinguishBurnout.com can help you get out of it (for free)
From: main@SIKM.groups.io <main@SIKM.groups.io> On Behalf Of
Louis-Pierre Guillaume via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 4:38 AM To: SIKM <main@sikm.groups.io> Cc: SIKM@groups.io Subject: Re: [SIKM] Rebels, Coalitions, and Communities - How does one find like minded folks?
Hello Robert
I would look at the startup that help create impactful communities that aims at changing the world
Examples from France
Best regards, Louis-Pierre Louis-Pierre Guillaume
On Sun, Jun 19, 2022 at 6:13 PM Robert L. Bogue <rbogue@...> wrote:
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Joitske, I agree with your points. Here is what I have done to attract members interested in a specific topic.
From 10 Tips for Leading Communities
From How to Be a Great Community Manager
At Deloitte, when we posted the following in the KM Yammer group, we received 122 replies:
To build a new community, send out an email to a distribution list or to individuals, or mention specific people in a post, with a message such as:
x Subscribe to this group by email
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Rob, This is an area that I am currently investing in for my own growth and I recently compiled some resources I'm finding helpful in this Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/rsims/status/1537497495617560577 My 1), 2), and 3) replies include social media strategy that is highly relevant to attracting others. 4) is more straight-up writing and so not applicable. Ray
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Robert, I have been a member and a community facilitator of various communities. There are techniques for encouraging, enlisting and broadening a community For me it starts with recognition and authentic conversation and an invitation to share, to broaden the conversation with other individuals interested in the field, the topic. One recognizes someone with a similar interest or shared knowledge. "I see you in this conversation" One replies, engages, responds in a way that initiates conversation - with gratefulness and thanks. "I didn't know that, thank you, I'd like to learn more" One engages in a way that broadens the conversation with others (lots of techniques online of coure #hashtags, @mentions) "Do you have friends, colleagues"
As a group conversation grows to the point it seems a "community" there are techniques for stimulating conversation, bringing in information that will increase the sense of value to participants, a growing knowledge base. As communities grow, thoughtful, intentional facilitation is important, and there are facilitation and communication approaches that help people stay interested and excited. It's also vitally important that community members feel that they have a sense of the person(s) in the community (photos, names, short bios) (Note: I did a short stint helping to facilitate SIKM. One of my aspirations was to run a campaign to increase the number of members who post photos and expanded bio to help advance a sense of personal connection and warmth). I have a ton of material on communities, how to initiate, grow and stimulate them. I managed several quite large communities at Cisco both internally and public facing. I've also been a member of this community for some years, and have spoken at forums on the topic. I've also used communities to accelerate organizational change projects/processes. It's a conscious, intentional process. I include a couple of slides from a coaching session I did a few years ago and also a presentation for the SIKM community from 2014. Good luck. Catherine Shinners
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Hi Stan Hope you are well. I saw your post about the message that was posted on the KM Yammer group at Deloitte. I am the Knowledge Manager/Advocate at Deloitte South Africa, and I am very pleased to e-meet you. Kind regards Michelle Ryan
On Tue, Jun 21, 2022 at 2:39 PM Stan Garfield <stangarfield@...> wrote: Joitske, I agree with your points. Here is what I have done to attract members interested in a specific topic.
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Robert L. Bogue
Ray –
Thanks. The core question is around building coalitions and how that’s related to communities.
As for writing in the public forum (Working Out Loud if you will), I’ve been doing that for a long time – and I’ll absolutely agree with you that it takes long term patience. I will tell you some of the things that I thought didn’t fit my voice at all are the things that are very popular on my blog. “The Psychology of Not Holding Children Accountable” is a perennial favorite – despite almost none of my writing is about raising children.
Rob
------------------- Robert L. Bogue O: (317) 844-5310 M: (317) 506-4977 Blog: http://www.thorprojects.com/blog Want to be confident about your change management efforts? https://ConfidentChangeManagement.com Are you burned out? https://ExtinguishBurnout.com can help you get out of it (for free)
From: main@SIKM.groups.io <main@SIKM.groups.io> On Behalf Of
Ray Sims via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 10:40 AM To: main@SIKM.groups.io Subject: Re: [SIKM] Rebels, Coalitions, and Communities - How does one find like minded folks? #CoP
Rob, This is an area that I am currently investing in for my own growth and I recently compiled some resources I'm finding helpful in this Twitter thread: https://twitter.com/rsims/status/1537497495617560577 My 1), 2), and 3) replies include social media strategy that is highly relevant to attracting others. 4) is more straight-up writing and so not applicable. Ray
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Robert L. Bogue
Catherine & Stan –
I’ve been pondering your responses (and the others) and I think that all the strategies make sense.
If I rewind to my core inquiry, I realized that this is sort of a question about using a fishing net or using a fishing pole. When we build communities it feels a lot like we put the nets out and tend them. Eventually we end up with a lot of fish in the net. Of course, if you’re fishing with a pole you throw the line out and are much more active about the process.
It feels like building a coalition is more like a fishing pole. It feels more active. It feels like the difference may be that in building communities we’re building conditions, and cultivating. When we’re building coalitions it feels like we’re going to need to be more active.
Another analogy… communities feel like putting yourself “out there” versus coalitions sounds like serial dating. You’re trying to find people in a more active way.
What does everyone think? Fair characterizations?
Rob
------------------- Robert L. Bogue O: (317) 844-5310 M: (317) 506-4977 Blog: http://www.thorprojects.com/blog Want to be confident about your change management efforts? https://ConfidentChangeManagement.com Are you burned out? https://ExtinguishBurnout.com can help you get out of it (for free)
From: main@SIKM.groups.io <main@SIKM.groups.io> On Behalf Of
Catherine Shinners via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 11:23 AM To: main@sikm.groups.io Subject: Re: [SIKM] Rebels, Coalitions, and Communities - How does one find like minded folks?
Robert, I have been a member and a community facilitator of various communities.
There are techniques for encouraging, enlisting and broadening a community For me it starts with recognition and authentic conversation and an invitation to share, to broaden the conversation with other individuals interested in the field, the topic.
One recognizes someone with a similar interest or shared knowledge. "I see you in this conversation" One replies, engages, responds in a way that initiates conversation - with gratefulness and thanks. "I didn't know that, thank you, I'd like to learn more" One engages in a way that broadens the conversation with others (lots of techniques online of coure #hashtags, @mentions) "Do you have friends, colleagues"
As a group conversation grows to the point it seems a "community" there are techniques for stimulating conversation, bringing in information that will increase the sense of value to participants, a growing knowledge base.
As communities grow, thoughtful, intentional facilitation is important, and there are facilitation and communication approaches that help people stay interested and excited. It's also vitally important that community members feel that they have a sense of the person(s) in the community (photos, names, short bios) (Note: I did a short stint helping to facilitate SIKM. One of my aspirations was to run a campaign to increase the number of members who post photos and expanded bio to help advance a sense of personal connection and warmth).
I have a ton of material on communities, how to initiate, grow and stimulate them. I managed several quite large communities at Cisco both internally and public facing. I've also been a member of this community for some years, and have spoken at forums on the topic. I've also used communities to accelerate organizational change projects/processes.
It's a conscious, intentional process. I include a couple of slides from a coaching session I did a few years ago and also a presentation for the SIKM community from 2014.
Good luck. Catherine Shinners
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Hi Rob,
Recently, i conducted an experiment that was triggered with the following question: “What makes 5k+ members to come naturally and form a community in less than 24 hours?” i published my findings in a case study, you may find it here https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-nft-community-dynamics-insights-from-30-najjar-ph-d/ Thank you Rachad
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John Carney
Rachad.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
As I alluded to in my post I think it’s pizza, look at the numbers. I’ve always found that when running physical community meetings the offer of a buffet lunch does wonders to bring people together, particularly with a military audience!. Best wishes John
On 21 Jun 2022, at 19:36, Rachad Najjar <rachadbn@...> wrote:
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John Carney
Robert. I don’t know if this is helpful but I always like to provide a contrarian view which I guess makes me more of a rebel than a coagulator (not sure if that’s a real word!)
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Why do we/you want to talk to (large numbers of) like minded people in the first place - I appreciate that it’s maybe more pleasant but if it’s innovation (I work in r&d) or ROI we’re interested in we may likely learn more from opposites - Quality over quantity How do we discourage/ remove people who we don't really want or are perceived ‘difficult‘ - I actually always run a pretty broad church, but have been challenged by stakeholders on that. I was asked to speak privately to a member to discourage their unhelpful behaviour - it worked but it was a shame that the leaders hints hadn’t been adhered to, More contrarian too, large communities don’t work for me at a deep enough (useful) level. I get most of my learning from one to one conversations Good luck John PS in case you were wondering I am quite nice really ;-) !
On 19 Jun 2022, at 17:13, Robert L. Bogue <rbogue@...> wrote:
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Robert L. Bogue
John –
In terms of like-minded people. I think it’s a matter of scale. One is too few. A million is too many. How many people you need “in your corner” is a big question. And it’s a big range.
I have run my own business for decades now. I live between worlds. SharePoint. Knowledge Management. Human Resources. Records. Education. Audio Production… the list goes on. It’s really nice – bordering on almost a necessity -- to have people you can “hang” with. SIKM is a community. I’ve developed friendships, some deep friendships, with the people here. I don’t post often. I don’t have a personal relationship with everyone. However, I’m also aware of the value of having a focusing element to searches.
I think the trick for me is in attracting people who have the same interests so you can build the coalition. I don’t know how to do that quickly.
Rob
------------------- Robert L. Bogue O: (317) 844-5310 M: (317) 506-4977 Blog: http://www.thorprojects.com/blog Want to be confident about your change management efforts? https://ConfidentChangeManagement.com Are you burned out? https://ExtinguishBurnout.com can help you get out of it (for free)
From: main@SIKM.groups.io <main@SIKM.groups.io>
On Behalf Of John Carney via groups.io
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2022 3:31 PM To: main@sikm.groups.io Cc: sikm@groups.io Subject: Re: [SIKM] Rebels, Coalitions, and Communities - How does one find like minded folks?
Robert. I don’t know if this is helpful but I always like to provide a contrarian view which I guess makes me more of a rebel than a coagulator (not sure if that’s a real word!)
Why do we/you want to talk to (large numbers of) like minded people in the first place - I appreciate that it’s maybe more pleasant but if it’s innovation (I work in r&d) or ROI we’re interested in we may likely learn more from opposites - Quality over quantity How do we discourage/ remove people who we don't really want or are perceived ‘difficult‘ - I actually always run a pretty broad church, but have been challenged by stakeholders on that. I was asked to speak privately to a member to discourage their unhelpful behaviour - it worked but it was a shame that the leaders hints hadn’t been adhered to, More contrarian too, large communities don’t work for me at a deep enough (useful) level. I get most of my learning from one to one conversations Good luck John PS in case you were wondering I am quite nice really ;-) !
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John Carney
Yes indeed and I am wondering if it might be variable for individuals, my wife as a strong introvert prefers a very small number of close relationships for example. Have you looked at Robin Dunbars work https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I think SIKM is a terrific community - Stan is the quite exceptional leader for this type of thing that I have ever come across - although recently as I no longer work in KM I feel I should perhaps drop out. Best wishes to you and all, John
On 21 Jun 2022, at 20:52, Robert L. Bogue <rbogue@...> wrote:
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John, thanks for the kind words. There is no need to drop out, as you are still able to contribute despite no longer working in KM.
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