Immediacy in all Things – Social Media Principle #8

This post is eighth in a series of my Social Media Principles.  The base post is 10 Social Media Principles.

“There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Principle #8. Immediacy in all things – Strike while the iron is hot.  Eat when the food is fresh.

 

We’ve discussed in previous principles how information wants to be free, information should be findable and searchable and that people want to be good community members.

Have you ever been on a mission?

We consider ourselves on a mission when we have clear goals, we have an idea of how to satisfy those goals, and we are somewhat excited about achieving them.  A mission differs from a task by our emotional investment.

Previous chapters have also discussed how people’s emotional investment in an activity or organization relies heavily on transparency and the availability of information.

Delays are insults to missions.

Any delay in a mission belies the importance of the mission.  Delays say to the missionary: your important task is far less important to me than it is to you. This is invalidating and demotivating.

Immediacy therefore becomes crucial to maintaining motivation. 

If people within an organization remain motivated, they work faster, they are more creative, and frankly, they give a damn.  Demotivated team members simply do not perform as well.

When devising rules around information provision and flow in an organization, principle #8 should be kept in mind at all times.  How important is this information when compared to slowing down the company?  Is it more important to hide this information than to allow people the opportunity to use it for inspiration? 

Note that here immediacy doesn’t necessarily mean speed – it means respect.

Technorati Tags: 10 social media principles,social media,information policy,collaboration

Photo via Morguefile and Shelly Kiser

Written at Modus Cooperandi in Seattle, WA

Comments

[An Bui]

Really interesting points Jim. "Strike while the iron is hot. Eat while the food is fresh." doesn't mean ASAP. Taking the time to consider context, prioritize appropriately and keep an eye on the mission is infinitely easier with respect and open communication.