The current crisis as the visible proof of the transformation phase of our time, has made it clear to us that the old ways are no longer sufficient.
Information is increasingly more available and transparant. We are able to determine more and more what is authentic and what's not. More and more people are connected. Obviously we have to utilize this. It is time we took matters into our own hands and wait no longer for traditional organizations and governments. Enter the era of communicative self-management. The Internet is our vehicle. The virtual social networks form the movement. Lots and lots of people are already moving. For other this may still be invisible; they see a calm sea. But under the surface a real seaquake is taking place. I find the word tsunami the best one to describe the fundamental social changes that are awaiting us, and that are heading our way at a blistering pace....
We need daredevils. People who dare to innovatively steer and interpret for traditional organizations. And in such a way that the employees in the established organizations are encouraged to act autonomously, and thus take part in the change, in the organizational renewal. Thanks to their New Leaders these New Employees will look for the connection with the enormous potential of energy and knowledge that is available within the virtual social networks (and within their own organizations). This way the New Leaders and their New Employees safeguard the future of their organizations and in doing so, they safeguard their own future as well. New Leaders have the capacity at their disposal to prompt a group or organization to move independently. Hierarchy is marginally important. New Leaders are able to break through large and small existing structures, disrupt the immobilizing equilibrium and re-created innovation.
Stephen Covey describes New Leaders as: “
...people who are taking charge of their lives or are taking matters into their own hands in certain situations, without depriving others. Thinking in terms of synergy. Continuously learning. Communicating openly. Acting from their own vision.”
As a matter of fact, all New Employees are potential New Leaders! With so many new leaders from and in organizations, from and in virtual value networks, we will be able to find a balance between money, alternative value systems and social capital. This balance is vital for the sustainability of the new value networks.
Social virtual networks have not been solely for private use for a long time. Especially for companies and organizations they offer unprecedented possibilities, because networking with people, externally as well as internally – thanks to the Internet – can solve the classic economic dilemma of choice. Hereby our self-imposed economic restrictions will disappear. We can move from scarcity to abundance. Value creation with (virtual) social networks means that we are no longer bound to traditional economic limitations such as time, place and means!
So, the question is, is your tsunami surf board a long or a short board?