Herd or Community?

When does a community become a herd, with a herd mentality?  And how can leaders of a community prevent this from happening, without stifling the community? Photo by sean_hickin Last week, I attended my first Ignite Boulder event. The day after the event, I spent time writing and discussing just what I felt and observed…

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A Community of Suicidologists

I was struck by this blog post, "Reflections on the Family of Suicidologists" from fellow wisdom entrepreneur and friend, Sally Spencer-Thomas. After her brother, a successful business man, committed suicide several years ago, Sally took on as her life's work the prevention of suicide in the workplace. Sally's post is a wonderful example of kindred…

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Academic Boundary Crossing

If I were twenty years younger, I would go back to school. I would return to my alma mater, Northwestern University, and enroll in the engineering school again (yes, again!), so I could learn about design and complex networks and product development.  I was probably the only reader of the recent magazine for engineering alumni…

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Branding Lessons from BMW and Salvation Army

To attract kindred spirits to your community, it's important to know your brand. Earlier this year, BMW had a hefty poster-size insert in the Wall Street Journal, with photos of their cars and this text: We do not make cars. We are the creators of emotion. We are the keepers of thrill. We are the…

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Finding Inspiration in New Places

Inspiration is most appreciated when you least expect it. Waking up this morning, after three days of travel for work, my mind was foggy and my body a bit sore. (Sitting on airplanes and lifting suitcases into overhead bins will do that.) But in going through my inbox, I found two things that immediately got…

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