Why explicit sharing makes a difference!
Have pondered that same question many times and have seen the benefits of a shared, explicit, corporate memory when working with co-located teams. Let me try to help make the case here:
1. Reflection:
In the fast and furious pace of f2f there is no time for deep reflection. This medium gives you the opportunity to review without the pressures imposed of 'thinking on your feet'. Many of our insights come from making connections and changing our internal models. There is something about 'seeing the text' that helps here. Perhaps it is the very process of moving thoughts from the brain to your finger tips as you type that does it?
2. The Record:
so often we forget the bits and pieces that do not matter on their own, but when presented in context or when connected together can deliver magic. Having a record you can return to, that reminds you of commitments, resurfaces tacit ideas and helps with synthesis is a major help. Often my clients find it is not the actual text that is important it is the associated ideas and the insights that crop up and pop up that make this worthwhile.
3. Getting in deep:
most groups do not take the time to dig down to the differences that matter. They gloss over assumptions, meld or skip different mental models, do not make the effort to clarify terms and combine to design distinctions. Using language to 'bring forth another world' is an advanced skill that is enhanced by this medium. This approach can surface vision and build alignment that is often not easy face to face.
4. Helping novices:
the biggest hurdle new folk face is understanding why: things are done this way, why we believe xyz, why we say abc. A written record (summarized at strategic intervals) goes a long way to bridging the gap between old timers and newbies. Conversations are a lot like stories, after reading through a discussion here you have a different feel and appreciation for people, their beliefs, their fears and their values.
5. Communication:
how often have you not wished we had recorded the reason or taken notes of the other things we talked about? Having a sustained practice of using this medium to spread the word, surface ideas, test assumptions, gives the group a decided leverage and advantage. I'm not sure if this will be sustained, but there are definite first mover points to be gained while the rest catch-up to this medium.
My thanks to Lars Heyerdahl for reminding me and preserving this piece
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