Sunday, August 26th, 2012
Question: How long do you think it took Paul and Liam to plan the first ever ‘More Like People Action Week’? Answer: A few hours on the Sunday evening before it started.
Lorna Prescott’s (@dosticen’s) pic fr/ a living room work meeting she had during #MoreLikePeopleWeek
So the first ever ‘More Like People Action Week ‘ has come to an end!
What began as a random Tweet from @PaulBarasi last Sunday afternoon, managed to become something significantly more in the course of just a few days.
There were blogs about the week in the Guardian Social Enterprise Network and CivilSociety.org.uk .
There were over 300 hundred Tweets from over 70 people, expressing their support and sharing their ideas and actions for making their organisations ‘more like people.’ (See some of the Storify highlights further down).
There were several blog comments sharing success stories more widely, as well as links to resource and ideas that people felt were relevant to the ‘more like people’ themes…
Now I won’t pretend that this week has changed the world in any major ways, but it’s definitely done something to demonstrate the potential of some of the principles it is about.
Paul and I, with an ocean and a six-hour time zone spread between us, working entirely via Twitter, a few emails and 2 Skype calls, with nothing to back us but our own enthusiasm and that of the people who got involved, helped the ‘more like people’ ideas find their ways onto the UK national media radar, and into the consciousness of far more people than had previously known about it.
Beyond a few targeted Tweets to people we felt would be specifically interested, there was no top-down communication, not even an email list, to get things rolling. We just put it out there, approached some editors, and shared our own experiences and ideas around.
Sidestep the steps that aren’t working for you!
Has your organisation ever planned an awareness-raising or action-focused day or week around the theme of your work? Did it take more than a few hours to plan it? I’m guessing the answer is ‘yes.’ I’m also guessing that you’re not alone.
One of the big frustrations Paul and I have often had with so many organisations, is their inability to get things done, particularly within a reasonable length of time. The endless processes that inevitably need so many levels of approval make it very hard to organise anything in a timeframe that allows individual passion and energy to still play a part.
And though we might often feel we need to follow these processes, the truth is, there is always unmediated space to make things happen. Just because you could write a proposal, ask for approval, redraft the proposal, secure some budget, and allocate roles, doesn’t mean you always have to!
If this last week was about anything, I hope it was about showing that you don’t need HR or Senior Management (not that either can’t play positive roles!) to make our workplaces better than they are. There are always things we can start to improve, and you never know what kind of ripple effect they might have if we give them the chance. Individual change can encourage other individual changes. Gradually, more people acting differently can shift cultures, systems, organisations… But let’s not get ahead of ourselves – the point is we have more power than we often realise, so why not try exercising it more?
What next?
Obviously we’ve played our hand for a ‘More Like People Action Week ’ for the foreseeable future, but these ideas can travel much further than they have since last Monday. So don’t let this random allocation of time stop you from helping your own organisation to be more like people, whenever you feel so inclined!
Maybe you could start your own ‘More Like People Action Week ’ at your office? It wouldn’t have to take more than an email on Monday morning with some encouragement for people to share their contributions more widely, on Twitter, or a blog.
Strategy? Let it happen. Budget? No need. Approval? What for? ‘More like people ’ should feel infinitely easier than the processes we’ve become so used to in so many of our organisations. I can’t think of a good reason why an employer would be against it, but if they somehow were, I can see even less reason why you’d feel the need to ask for their permission to do it. Think of it as an opportunity to demonstrate some initiative for improving the organisation, at no additional cost to those higher up!
But maybe you just want to practice it yourself, thinking of something you can do a bit differently to make your office a more human place to be? If so, feel free to comment about it on this blog, or Tweet about it using the #MoreLikePeople hashtag on Twitter, so others can be inspired or can try your action out themselves…
The next steps are up to you!
[<a href=”http://storify.com/hackofalltrades/morelikepeopleweek-a-story-in-tweets” target=”_blank”>View the story “#MoreLikePeopleWeek: A story in Tweets” on Storify</a>]<br /> <h1>#MoreLikePeopleWeek: A story in Tweets</h1> <h2>A spontaneous experiment in making each of our work places a bit more human…</h2> <p>Storified by · Sun, Aug 26 2012 14:15:30</p> <div>@PaulBarasi hi Paul, good to meet you. I like your & @hackofalltrades #MoreLikePeopleWeek idea, a lot. Can it be #MoreLikePeopleAlways ?stephanie cole</div> <div>#MoreLikePeopleWeek "Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant" Thoreau via @JohnDicusPaul Barasi</div> <div>1 of the big influencers of #MoreLikePeopleWeek is Brazil’s Semco. If you don’t know it, good description here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick_(book)Liam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>Follow @BHillJelly for news about launch of new, regular #coworking event in a friendly cafe in Brierley Hill #Jelly #MoreLikePeopleWeekLorna Prescott</div> <div>I’ve ditched the posters and post-it’s, talking to young people in our #biglocal area in a #MoreLikePeopleWeek way 🙂 http://audioboo.fm/boos/932420Lorna Prescott</div> <div>Missed out on #MoreLikePeopleWeek? We will go on making our organisations more human. So can you! It’s one way you can help change the worldPaul Barasi</div> <div>@hackofalltrades Blog post in which we shared our org’s exp of power & privilege training http://bit.ly/NlkhgE #MoreLikePeopleWeekPlatform</div> <div>It’s #MoreLikePeopleWeek Friday. Does your org have a blog to share personal/organisational learning, so other orgs could benefit fr/ it?Liam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>“3 pints, please. Weren’t Chelsea lucky? Views are my own, not my employer’s. No, she supports Spurs” #MoreLikePeopleWeek #ChangeTwitterBioPaul Barasi</div> <div>Does your personal Twitter a/c bio really still say * Views Are My Own * despite #MoreLikePeopleWeek?Paul Barasi</div> <div>If your organisation has any relationship with external people how about following back those who follow its Twitter a/c #MoreLikePeopleWeekPaul Barasi</div> <div>Or make your organisation more human by using it’s Twitter a/c to engage in conversation with people who reply to tweets #MoreLikePeopleWeekPaul Barasi</div> <div>.@RosemaryFrazer #MoreLikePeopleWeek Then they’d do it too, then the world would start to change for the better from 1 simple thing. Wow!Paul Barasi</div> <div>@PaulBarasi I would use Twitter to regularly let others know about the great work of my colleagues #MoreLikePeopleWeekRosemary Frazer</div> <div>Making social change organisations more like people http://ow.ly/dcv0y #socent #MoreLikePeopleWeek via @GuardianSocEntKarl Belizaire</div> <div>On this last day of #MoreLikePeopleWeek how could you change the way you and your organisation use Twitter?Paul Barasi</div> <div>Arrived at cafe to find my colleague from @NHSDudleyPH working away in a great #MoreLikePeopleWeek way! http://pic.twitter.com/QrTnv5FJLorna Prescott</div> <div>Another day, another cafe! Meeting to plan evaluation of community led health improvement project #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://4sq.com/O8ckHQLorna Prescott</div> <div>Great to catch up with @NickCDX He consistently helps organisations to be more like people, with sensitivity and humour #MoreLikePeopleWeekLorna Prescott</div> <div>RT @guardiansocent: Making social change organisations more like people http://ow.ly/daU3P #socent #MoreLikePeopleWeekGreenCycleSussex</div> <div>If you missed it yesterday: Making social change organisations more like people http://ow.ly/dblBW #socent #MoreLikePeopleWeekGuardian Soc Ent</div> <div>.@dosticen Your 4thcoming "My #MoreLikePeopleWeek" on @DudleyCVS site/newsletter/DudleyNews …– Gr8 2 have link on http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>@EssJay_Bee I agree… but think all of us can do things to help them get back on track 🙂 #MoreLikePeopleWeekLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>@hackofalltrades No probs… 🙂 I think some social change orgs have lost their way a little bit. #MoreLikePeopleWeekSarah</div> <div>"community empowerment … is also about organisational structures and processes being empowering" http://changesuk.net/themes/community-empowerment/ #MoreLikePeopleWeekLorna Prescott</div> <div>I love this #MoreLikePeopleWeek piece by @hackofalltrades in @civilsocietyUK today: http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/blogs/content/13219/why_more_like_people_action_week_is_a_no-brainer_for_the_voluntary_sectorLorna Prescott</div> <div>Every Child Deserves a Loving Family http://www.managementexchange.com/hack/every-child-deserves-loving-family #MoreLikePeopleWeek #socent #compassionJeff Mowatt</div> <div>You, me, we, ethics and people-centered economics http://wp.me/pvNZ7-2R via @peoplecentred #MoreLikePeopleWeek #socentJeff Mowatt</div> <div>.@hackofalltrades Civil Society’s #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://bit.ly/Nj8ijt – gr8 writing! Maybe a "change future" follow-up: @ThirdSector?Paul Barasi</div> <div>Is #socialenterprise the ‘carbon trading of social good’? Not if #MoreLikePeopleWeek can help it! https://socialenterprise.guardian.co.uk/en/articles/social-enterprise-network/2012/aug/23/social-change-organisation-more-like-people #SocEntLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>* @hackofalltrades Hey there Liam, government + councils could ask people "How can we make this policy more human?" #MoreLikePeopleWeek!Paul Barasi</div> <div>My #MoreLikePeopleWeek piece on @civilsocietyUK today: http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/blogs/content/13219/why_more_like_people_action_week_is_a_no-brainer_for_the_voluntary_sector #charity #socialbiz #civilsociety #voluntary #managementLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>@PaulBarasi Thanks Paul. I’m gonna play guitar for at least an hour this afternoon instead of my travel expense forms.#MoreLikePeopleWeeksean smith</div> <div>Reflecting and planning in @jillbed’s lounge following a lovely lunch she made for us – very #MoreLikePeopleWeek 🙂 http://pic.twitter.com/pEXSOI6YLorna Prescott</div> <div>#MoreLikePeopleWeek Off to Shrewsbury for a day of reflecting on joint work and developing new thinking with @Salhampson @jillbed @SuzieG24Lorna Prescott</div> <div>.@terrapharma Yes 2 humour; also a Lewisham Council manager told me they’d achieve better results if work were more fun! #MoreLikePeopleWeekPaul Barasi</div> <div>Love the idea of #MoreLikePeopleWeek for social change organisationsAli Thomas</div> <div>A piece of grafitti seen in #Oaxaca today that seemed appropriate for #MoreLikePeopleWeek: http://pic.twitter.com/kWHpCo7CLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>Unsure of something @ work?Why not ask Twitter? There’re plenty of nice people here who might help! http://www.morelikepeople.org/?p=1317 #MoreLikePeopleWeekLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>Try removing ‘views are my own’ fr/ your Twitter bio for #MoreLikePeopleWeek. Do your clothes say ‘I dressed myself’?You’re your own person!Liam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>#MoreLikePeopleWeek – I will ask people I meet today who work for an org, ‘How are you?’ look them in the eye and listen to their answer.Veena Vasista</div> <div>to err is human, to email is less human? #morelikepeopleweek @hackofalltradesgethyn williams</div> <div>Nice mention for #MoreLikePeopleWeek in @GuardianSocEnt daily round-up, before the full blog gets printed tomorrow: https://socialenterprise.guardian.co.uk/social-enterprise-network/2012/aug/22/social-enterprise-network-dailyLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>and of course have arranged meeting in an independent coffee shop because I like every week to be a #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://pic.twitter.com/Y2xS5u7gLorna Prescott</div> <div>I bought lovely brownie and shortbread to meeting with @paulgslatter and @hannahworth #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://instagr.am/p/On8m_rEQoi/Lorna Prescott</div> <div>At work with personal Twitter a/c? #MoreLikePeopleWeek is gr8 time 2 cut “views my own" from your profile. @NCVO can lead the nation on thisPaul Barasi</div> <div>Please read @dosticen’s 2nd comment on the #MoreLikePeopleWeek blog, as to why this week shouldn’t take much thought: http://www.morelikepeople.org/?p=1317Liam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>This is a lovely idea. http://www.morelikepeople.org/?p=1317 #morelikepeopleweekLouLouK</div> <div>@PaulBarasi I think tension between #MoreLikePeopleWeek and org twitter accounts – they’d be indiv accounts if we were more like peopleLorna Prescott</div> <div>This week is More Like People Action Week! #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://vsb.li/2bjTpf Share how you make your org more human #cxo #custservArié Moyal</div> <div>* @DudleyCVS #MoreLikePeopleWeek has no Organisation 2 plan it, Pack 2 drive it or Funder 2 push it: Workplace DIY! http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>I missed talk of #morelikepeopleweek until now – what a great idea. Now, to see what I can do…Sophie Ballinger</div> <div>In my humble opinion, @LouLouK is someone who does great work to make orgs more like people #morelikepeopleweek (http://www.morelikepeople.org/?p=1317)Lorna Prescott</div> <div>Just texted a colleague from @dudleymbc who is off sick to send get well wishes #morelikepeopleweekLorna Prescott</div> <div>.@stuartparker Some employers surely ask young recruits: What’s the most important thing we can do to fit in with you? #MoreLikePeopleWeekPaul Barasi</div> <div>#MoreLikePeopleWeek Humanising the workplace for young people coming straight out of educational institutions is a challenge in itself.Stuart Parker</div> <div>.@thelasthb Thanks Edward. I’m fine with your: ‘Not sure #MoreLikePeopleWeek will change things much but I hope it does!’Paul Barasi</div> <div>@PaulBarasi — Not sure #MoreLikePeopleWeek will change things much but I hope it does! –Edward H-B</div> <div>So w/ Tuesday of #MoreLikePeopleWeek coming, will all the folks Tweeting about it today be sharing their actions w/ the rest of us tomorrow?Liam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>More Like People Action Week! (#MoreLikePeopleWeek) #humanize http://bit.ly/P9djquSocialFish</div> <div>#MoreLikePeopleWeek Act like a person Not just an organisation or Dept. @ukhomeoffice #FreeGary #RichardO They are ppl http://bit.ly/Rc4M9SAngela Roberts</div> <div>“@maddiegrant: More Like People Action Week! (#MoreLikePeopleWeek) #humanize http://bit.ly/P9djqu”Jamie Notter</div> <div>More Like People Action Week! (#MoreLikePeopleWeek) #humanize http://bit.ly/P9djquMaddie Grant</div> <div>“We’re always connected. If we’re not feeling it, it’s WE who have put up the barrier.#morelikepeopleweek Via~> @Blues_Music ✉”Marsha</div> <div>What was the last thing you did to make your organisation a slightly nicer place than it had been? http://bit.ly/NTySvY #morelikepeopleweekLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>The infographic @PlatformLondon mentioned as an alt to a hefty report is here. And it’s awesome! http://on.fb.me/OHkMM3 #morelikepeopleweekLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>We made an infographic as a means of connecting with people’s values rather than a big hefty report that fewer ppl read #morelikepeopleweekPlatform</div> <div>When you notice some1 doing something you appreciate, let them know. It might make their day, they might pass it along. #morelikepeopleweekLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>#morelikepeopleweek @hackofalltrades I think the key is that social media is showing us how to be more human – more open and collaborative!Maddie Grant</div> <div>I love the idea of #morelikepeopleweek – articlulates a lot of what I’ve dimly felt about organisations getting too distant from real peopleNick Drew</div> <div>#morelikepeopleweek is an awesome idea – get inspiration from Humanize!! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789741121/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=humanizemg-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0789741121Maddie Grant</div> <div>Love this: More Like People Action Week! (#MoreLikePeopleWeek) http://www.morelikepeople.org/?p=1317 (via @hackofalltrades)John Popham</div> <div>"I won’t be taking any consultation tool to find what they want,I will just go talk to them–like a person!!!"- @dosticen #morelikepeopleweekLiam Barrington-Bush</div> <div>“Should I ask people I work with what projects they’d really like to do here?” Why not? Fits with #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>“2 in my team say their job titles are outmoded” How about inviting them all to think up new ones? #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>#MoreLikePeopleWeek Want planning 4 free? Nah! It’s free of planning: think of an idea then just get on and do it! http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>Got a staff meeting tomorrow or Wednesday …? How will you make it more human? Why? Cos it’s #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>“@PaulBarasi: “What can I do now to help make my organistion more human?” #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://bit.ly/cYE2Ma”Jamie Notter</div> <div>@PaulBarasi We wish organisations in the UK every success in #MoreLikePeopleWeek :)snowlions</div> <div>@ukhomeoffice – you could qualify for participation in #MoreLikePeopleWeek if you acted more like people #freeGaryPC Insecurities™ Ltd</div> <div>Do something good, somewhere, for someone else. http://bit.ly/cYE2Ma #MoreLikePeopleWeek starts todayJanis Sharp</div> <div>More than just a number in a spreadsheet #MoreLikePeopleWeek #freeGaryRetweet 4 Freegary </div> <div>Just been emailed “My idea is too small”. Really? No idea is 2 small 4 #MoreLikePeopleWeek! http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>#MoreLikePeopleWeek http://bit.ly/cYE2Ma from @PaulBarasi < I think this is a wonderful idea and recommend taking a lookBob Ellard</div> <div>.@RosemaryFrazer ‘Where’s #MoreLikePeopleWeek pack or guide?’ There isn’t 1. YOU make work better [OK, there’s a blog http://bit.ly/cYE2Ma]Paul Barasi</div> <div>.@JanisSharp @DavidBurrowesMP Yes, MPs work and they have staff too, who can join in #MoreLikePeopleWeek http://bit.ly/cYE2MaPaul Barasi</div> <div>@PaulBarasi We are not machines, We are #Human Beings, with Human Minds & Human Feelings. #Compassion Not Cruelty #MoreLikePeopleWeekJanis Sharp</div> <div>@PaulBarasi It’s live! http://www.morelikepeople.org/?p=1317 #morelikepeopleweekLiam Barrington-Bush</div>