Social Media: Your Opportunity to Give

I am discovering that through social media, I have an opportunity -- even a responsibility -- to give to others. Of course, I am trying to give in other ways as well including financial donations. However, one thing REACT Services has always been about is promoting Open Source and helping others realize that the more you give away, the more you get. That is not WHY I give, but it is a principle.
So what can I give to others?
I can give knowledge, information, and, to the degree I might have any, wisdom. I can give and/or pass on encouragement, motivation and inspiration.
The easiest thing I can do is give support by promoting others I appreciate and their work. In that way I give attention, admiration and respect. I can value others with my words.
Through Twitter, I am certainly learning that I might be able to bring a smile to people in 140 characters or less. In addition, I can retweet, share, and like! I can pursue giving love, hope and laughter.
I can give whatever I have, to whomever I can, as generously as I dare through thanks, appreciation and gratitude.
As Becky Robinson says (the inspiration behind this blog), "The power is in the gift."
What will you be giving today?

Fusion: The New Name for Partnering?

Is fusion the new name for partnering? Maybe. Perhaps with all the trendy and confusing ways in which especially partnership is used these days (it can mean everything from computer collaboration tools to financial connections) we might need a new word to strike some fresh meaning. Besides, I personal love the music connection that fusion implies!

Here is what one leader within the philanthropy movement said the other day.

The [new] story lies in the partnership, the fusion, of many organizations coming to the table in the name of the cause. Countless meetings, phone calls, site visits, and parking lot conversations have led to a shared understanding. As a group, we faced our own challenges and setbacks. We had to bridge relationships and push one another to think outside of our own boxes. We had to think bigger about philanthropy and partnership. Not one of our institutions could have done this alone. Ultimately, what we were working for was trust, where each of us could be honest and transparent. This trust is translating into action and it’s incredibly exciting.

Well, whatever we call it: fusion, collaboration, etc., that is the way partnering works! Relationships -- built on trust -- that unpack and address appropriate strategic response in ways that no one group can do by themselves. Marvelous examples in partnering are taking place all over the non-profit (and for profit) world. And, yes, it is incredibly exciting.

The questions we at REACT Services explore are: how does one catalyze partnering? How do we avoid getting distracted by structure questions (partnering versus partnership)? How is the idea moved forward to real action? How do we show added value of the fusion (i.e., collaborative effort) to each organization involved? How do we hold each other accountable to agreed upon actions? And, of course, how do we measure collective success?

Let me know what you think? Do you like the fusion connection?

Bob Costa on Tebow

Bob Costas great commentary last night on Tebow and the miraculous. Is God on his side?

Makes me wonder how believers view this. I am a big Tebow fan, but the fact is that the coach of the Chicago Bears is a well-known believer, too. Was he apparently not praying enough?

Just saying . . . .

Lies Leaders Believe

This from Leadership Freak, a blog site worth noting.

Top Ten Lies Leaders Believe
The truth is we tell ourselves lies. Lies seem to make life better, they make us feel more useful and in control.
I can always tell when I touch the lies people believe about themselves. They deny the obvious and defend the ridiculous. It reminds me of the time one of our children denied stomping up the crumbed crackers they were standing in.
Excuses are the way we defend the lies we tell ourselves. Someone said, “An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.” I’ve seen plenty of stuffing. How about you?
The top ten lies leaders believe:

1. People love it when I tweak their work.
2. They’ll forget my emotional outbursts.
3. Hiding weaknesses works.
4. If I close my eyes, this problem will eventually go away.
5. Everything depends on me.
6. I am a good listener.
7. I welcome new ideas.
8. I don’t have a problem with arrogance.
9. I talk values, mission, and vision enough.
10. I need more time.

Bonus: My way is the best way.

What lies can you add?
Which lies are most dangerous?