Most organizations are laced with communities that cut through and across departments and levels of hierarchy. However they often remain small, invisible and hampered by a lack of explicit support and license. In an increasingly knowledge-based economy, what we know, our thoughts, ideas, creativity, innovation and our willingness to share and collaborate, are critical for creating value for organizations and the individuals who work for them.

1. The Workplace
Community
Releasing Human Potential and Engaging Employees
Matthew Hanwell
Co-author: The Workplace Community

2. Community

3. WHY
Is work defined in Jobs
?
WHY
Can’t workers be
employed by more than
one company ?
WHY
Is Hire & Fire
the dominant
employment model ?
WHY
Is most work divided
into 40 hour chunks ?
WHY
Can’t I contribute to
work outside my direct
line organization ?
WHY
Can’t we use all of the
collective intelligence in
an organization ?

4. Hierarchies
• Exclusive
• Rigid
• Command and
Control
• Mandated
• Siloed
• Formal

5. Communities
• Inclusive
• Emergent
• Social
• Networked
• Adaptive
• Collective
Intelligence

6. Purpose
Tools
The Bargain

7. Communities - Combining Hierarchy and Fluidity
Initiators and leaders
(Highest group interest)
Key Contributors, major
affiliates comprising
organized networks
Free riders, loose
affiliates

8. 7. STEWARDSHIP
Community Life-cycle
1.INITIATION
3. COALESING
5.MATURING

9. Balanced Path – Technology/Behaviour
Tools & Technology
Behaviour
&
Culture

10. Some keys to success
• Focus on topics important to the business and to
community members
• Build on the core values of the organization
• Involve thought leaders
• Develop a passionate core group
• Make it easy to access and contribute
• Have real dialog

12. www.theworkplacecommunity.com