Social Media for Social Change? Imagine that.

Hey Change Agents!  As long as you're building your personal brand, AND you're engaged in Social Media this quarter, why not combine both and really become effective at putting forth the social change that makes your heart go pitty-pat. 

Here are some videos that just might make this transition a little smoother:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBocwdiJhPI  How to use Twitter to "Effect" Social Change. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpEcjmAQDe4  Parker Palmer, A Movement Model of Social Change

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkgTb6aq4mQ&feature=related  BGI's Lacey Adcock, The Courage to Teach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YBEhY8d8lE&feature=related  Parker Palmer, elaborating on his book, The Courage to Teach and to Lead

Enjoy.  Think.  Learn.  Go forward and do your good works.  Today.  And everyday after.   

Oooh, Nooo, not . . . NETWORKING !

Yes, we ARE going to talk about the dreaded "N" word ~ networking.  Many of the things that Christopher Allen has been teaching us about has to do with using social media tools to "network."  He is not referring to your newest and greatest wireless router.  He is referring to harnessing the power of today's technology in order to create meaningful "networks" of contacts.  

In last week's class, we talked about a few of the better known social networking services:  Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Ning.  There is no need for me to review the content.  One of the things we did not really talk about is the meaning, definition of "network" in terms of our people interactions. 

Here are some for you to consider: 

1. Noun:  a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest

2. Noun:  the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business

3. Noun:  practice of gathering of contacts;  the process or practice of building up or maintaining informal relationships, especially with people whose friendship could bring advantages such as job or business opportunities

As you go about developing your personal brand, keep in mind that you are the CEO of you, and for your own sustainability, you need to create many networks of people.  Social Media services are but one way.

And yet, people "buy" people, and important face-to-face contacts can be made any place, any time, that could result in you finding your right livelihood.  The important things to remember?  Smile.  Be the first one to say "hi, my name is . . . . " and invite conversation.  You will be pleasantly surprised at how this one simple "networking" outreach can open doors and help you explore your possibilities. 

" Daring to Do Our Best Work Together . . . "

At BGI, we are most fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from each other, our faculty, and the most charismatic, inspirational, and informing people who are on the cutting edge of this widespread movement that we call "sustainability."  And these folks are our "CAIRS," Change Agents in Residence. 

The title of my blog is borrowed from one of our CAIRS, Frederick A. Miller, a co-author of "Be BIG:  Step Up. Step Out.  Be BOLD," ISBN 978-1-57675-452-8.  

For me, one of the most difficult things is pretending to go along with something in the hopes that someone will "like me."  In this mode, I may hold back and not bring my fullest self to the conversation at hand.

I have come to understand that this is a passive aggressive approach to life, and that it does not serve me well. 

How can I learn, develop, grow and contribute my unique ideas and innovations, if I "hold back" and do not bring my "full self" to work and other people interactions. 

This is not be confused with egoism, fame-seeking, showing off, and calling attention your self.  It is about you, respecting you, and adding your special voice and value to the conversation.  Because the gem inside of you is needed in your everyday interactions whether it's on the job, your familial relationships, with your friends and perfect strangers. 

As you develop your personal brand, I encourage you to place yourself in whatever reflective space best allows you to express yourself with vigor, to stand to your full height, and just give over to the words and phrases that in your unconscious soul, you know represent who you are. 

And then, use them as your "tale".  Be BIG.  Step Up.  Step Out.  Be BOLD.  Thank you, Frederick! 

It's Monday . . .

. . . a beautiful Northwest day by any measure.  Over the next few weeks, I plan to use this blog to help you explore "you," so that you are not "hiding your tale," and are "using your tale" for your own personal sustainability. 

Which is why I'm writing, because in my own words, I am a person who drops everything, to help another human bean realize his/her potential.  I love to explore others' possibilities. 

Since the last intensive, we have been asked to consider our keywords, key phrases, and arrive at a tagline or description that supports the first two and easily rolls off the tongue when someone presents the question:  "Who are you and what do you do?" 

I mentioned this at the intensive and am going to make a post on this idea, because several of my friends (and I) have gotten great benefit from this simple little guide to the "inner person" that operates unconsciously when in default mode.  I don't know about you, but I go into "default" mode as soon as someone asks me who I am and what I like to do. 

Here 'tis:  "Strengthsfinder 2.0," ISBN 978-1-59562-015-6, written by Tom Rath, ranked a bestselling author by the New York Times for his book "Wellbeing."  This is not the time to save pennies.  Buy a new book (hardback or Kindle reader) which contains a unique personal identifier/access code in the back of the book.  This code is required in order to the online survey, which identifies your top five themes

Before you ask, YES!  I have the book, I did the survey, and my (5) top themes are:  Activator;  Achiever;  Maximizer;  Adaptability;  and Arranger.  This book is for anyone who wants to do what you do best, every day, using our natural talents from cradle to cubicle to wherever our journeys take us.  This is going to be one of the primary resources for my blogs, so . . . let's explore your possibilities together, shall we?