Rise Up!

Is government human?  Most certainly.  Is government brave?  By my definition, rarely.  How do we impress upon government decision-makers that increased transparency, listening to citizens, engaging citizens at the expense of losing control of the message is a good thing for democracy?  A good thing for us and ultimately them.

The challenge is similar in the private sector.  There are senior vice presidents of marketing and communications who are completely out of touch and working within large organizations.  Fearful of the big, bad, negative, waste of time social web.  Those who are inching towards entering the global digital conversation because the peer pressure walls are closing in on their brand are looking for simple ways to “bolt on” a Facebook fan page here and a Twitter account there to appease everyone.  Well that’s not enough for me.

How to change processes internally is through leadership.

Understanding the current objectives of an organization or government is critical to effectively integrating social into everyday processes while closing the gap between the government and citizens. That said, most leaders act like stubborn, ignorant mules who won’t move an inch no matter how much you pull on the rope.  To those political incumbents and executives I say the following.

“Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way.” – Walter Schwabe, modified from Lee Iacocca.

As senior leadership, you may think you’re leading (conservatively) by resisting the social web.  You’re not, you’re simply acting as a mule. The tone of this post isn’t designed to be a hostile rant, rather a bit of encouragement for those struggling, patient and persistent internal evangelists within your organizations.  I’m really speaking to them.  Rise up people!

As elected officials, you need to look right into the eyes of those administrators who are afraid that citizens will expect social media to be the norm in your government and say, “bollocks!  You’re too late!”  To the administrators, I say this.  One day you’re going to wake up and be working for a Mayor and Council that will stand-up to your stubborn mule like behaviour and if you resist, you’ll be gone.  Don’t think it’s possible?  Pick up Escape Velocity when it’s published and read the story about how one newly elected Alberta mayor did exactly that.  For you, a socially enabled candidate like this mayor, (or as was encouraged last week – someone like me) would be a nightmare.

Municipal election candidates are not exempt, you need to be ready for this Open Government reality as well. Chances are, you are not going to be elected without strong social credentials, nor should you be in my opinion.  To all those government and business leaders without computers on their desks, I’d suggest retirement is looking pretty good right about now.  If you did’t need the hassle of learning new fan-dangled technologies like keyboards, mice and emails on a screen rather than printed off, then Open Government must really be sending you for a loop.  Oh what am I saying, you haven’t heard of the term or the movement in general anyway.  Yup.  Go golfing.

To the rank and file, those of you who have drawn the horrifying images of social technology frustration and social access imprisonment – Rise up!  Create a project that you feel will benefit the government you work for.  Don’t call me scared for using a picture when no one knows who you are, it’s time to “cowboy and cowgirl up!”  Many start anonymous blogs so they can vent and snipe, twitter accounts that criticize their government bosses 140 characters at a time.  Rather, I encourage you to think positively.  Just like the gladiators of old Rome, get the crowd on your side, this includes citizens and colleagues.  Create ways for residents to communicate with your government transparently and out in the open, no matter how simple or small.  Let the complexities of building strong sustainable digital community relationships come later, that’s a discussion for those already in the game.  Am I suggesting you should proceed without a plan?  Quite the opposite, think things through, you’re about to change the world.  Need moral support?  Call us, our lines are open so that you can bark at the moon.

Create a small and simple example of success to build on.  Sometimes that’s a grassroots event, sometimes that’s one single social profile or account.  Be innovative and creative.  Tell real stories and be brave.  If you feel comfortable, create a tactical team to help you but do it!

Go off the grid!

Last week I interviewed LTC Gerald Ostlund, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve, Army Reserve Communications, Webmaster and Chief, Social and New Media for Escape Velocity, which I’ve been working on since last year.   He explained that there was some heavy resistance regarding the use of social technologies internally within his organization.  This resistance came from several directions.  The only way to accomplish what he knew he needed to do, what the US Army Reserve needed to do, was to go off the official network.  I’m talking about the official defense intranet.  He works in a place where when I get emails from LTC Ostlund at the end of every subject line it states (UNCLASSIFIED).

LTC Ostlund explained, “we went out and purchased laptops and aircards with our own money.” This was the only way access could be gained so that the work of integrating social into Army Reserve communications could begin.  What was the risk to LTC Ostlund’s career regarding this brave move I wondered, so I asked the question and his response was immediate. “What are they going to do send me to Afghanistan or Iraq?  Been there, done that,” replied LTC Ostlund.  The conversation continued and it wasn’t that LTC Ostlund didn’t consider all the risks to making this move, he and his team just felt so strongly about what needed to be done they took personal initiative despite any potential negative career repercussions.  When compared to working within a hostile theatre of war, I can easily see why this was basically a no-brainer.

Access Granted!

The result of all this effort and perseverance?  A nine month study was just completed to see if allowing access to social networks such as Facebook, Youtube and Twitter would affect operational capacity of the US Defense Department’s networks.  On the basis of this study, access was granted just weeks ago.  Way to go LTC Ostlund, you and your colleagues are an inspiration.

Are you looking for a way to start something interesting in your government, department or business?  Why not run it by us?  What’s the worst that could happen?