Open, Generous and Connected

It seems that about every other blog I quote Seth Godin. Or repost.  So I hope you have subscribed to his blog (www.sethgodin.com) But the last line of this one especially seems to be what we are "about" and so how could I not share?  Or be a "sneezer" as Seth calls those that help things go viral.  This is NPT.  ! This is our philosophy.  It's not rhetoric.  We are doing this.  Every business should do this.  And you should only want to work with those that believe this too.

ps. Beta testing our new Youth Board initiative of connecting folks this weekend and hope to go live by next Sunday.  More to come.....

Open, generous and connected-Seth Godin

Isn't that what we seek from a co-worker, boss, friend or even a fellow conference attendee?

Open to new ideas, leaning forward, exploring the edges, impatient with the status quo... In a hurry to make something worth making.

Generous when given the opportunity (or restless to find the opportunity when not). Focused on giving people dignity, respect and the chance to speak up. Aware that the single most effective way to move forward is to help others move forward as well.

and connected. Part of the community, not apart from it. Hooked into the realities and dreams of the tribe. Able and interested in not only cheering people on, but shining a light on how they can accomplish their goals.

Paradoxically, the fancier the conference, the more fabled the people around the table, the less likely you are to find these attributes. These attributes, it turns out, have nothing to do with fame or resources. In fact, fear is the damper on all three. Fear of failure, intimacy and vulnerability. Fear closes us up, causes us to self-focus and to disconnect.

When we find our own foundation and are supported in our work by those around us, we can get back to first principles, to realizing our own dreams and making our own art by supporting others first and always.