The cultivation of our own curiosity is one action that each of us can take to build bridges to knowledge that resides in other people and in other cultures and, thus, to enhance our understanding of others. Curiosity is an innate ability that we all have. I would like to explore how we can bring this ability into our current work and personal life.
The book "The Mexican Dream" by J.M.G. Le Clezio deals with the confrontation of the Renaissance, European, Spanish Conquerors with the Amerindian civilizations in what is now called Mexico. In reading this book, I was impacted by the description of the huge differences between the two civilizations. These differences were in many ways beyond the ability of the other to grasp. I see parallels in our contemporary societies and organizations.
To what extent are traditional behavioral approaches to collaboration useful in supporting effective collaboration in an Enterprise 2.0 environment? This is a question that I have been thinking about a lot. It raises the issue of whether a technological solution is sufficient in itself to ensure effective collaboration. If not, what else from what we know as traditional collaboration is necessary to support the technological solution to attain effective collaboration?
Deciding what is or is not knowledge is a very important matter in our efforts to absorb knowledge from others. This decision can be made explicitly or implicitly. It can be made as a conscious decision or can occur outside of our conscious awareness. The result of this decision can impact individual and group creativity as well as the soundness of problem solving solutions that are developed.
Ellen Langer: "Counter Clockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility" This book discusses how we mindlessly accept cues from our environment about our health. Sometimes the cues are subtle and sometimes in the form of diagnosis they are overt. The result is that we may limit our own possibilities through our attitudes and actions. The books suggests taking a more mindful approach to our health, being careful what we accept as facts and looking at the times when we reflect health rather than totally focusing on a diagnosis of disease.
