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We are volunteers not conscripts

Posted to Gurteen Knowledge-Log by David Gurteen on 24 May 2011

 



Title

We are volunteers not conscripts
WeblogGurteen Knowledge Log
Knowledge LetterAppears in the Gurteen Knowledge Letter issue: 131
Posted DateTuesday 24 May 2011 21:23 GDT
Posted ByDavid Gurteen
Linkshttp://www.johnniemoore.com/blog/archives/002766.php ... 
http://www.euansemple.com/theobvious/2007/3/13/my-favourite- ... 
CategoriesBusiness Management
PeopleEuan Semple, Johnnie Moore 

This post from Johnnie Moore and another post from Euan Semple both resonated with me recently.

Managers really have to start treating people like volunteers and not conscripts. Or as I so often put it "We must stop doing things to people and start to work together."

Its a principal I apply in my Knowledge Cafes. People are not forced to come and then I quite deliberately do not force people to join in or try to manipulate them or the conversation in any way. (And yes I am aware it is impossible to entirely do that :-) )

I tell them that if they just wish to just listen that is perfectly OK. And the final part of my Cafe, where I go around the circle and ask people to share one actionable insight with the group, I also give people the change to opt-out by saying "pass".



If you are interested in Knowledge Management, the Knowledge Café or the role of conversation in organizational life then you my be interested in this online book I am writing on Conversational Leadership
David Gurteen


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