This week's series focus on the incredible solution power that we can unlock just by involving the widest range of people we can get. Too often, we think that only Experts, or people who look like us, or people who grew we've degrees/certifications/letters after their names can provide valuable insights— and that the general public should be kept in a carefully guarded playpen.
To be sure, crowdsourcing wisdom isn't the same as just throwing the doors open and asking for a Santa Claus list. Crowdsourcing wisdom is like anything else worth doing—is requires the right skills and skill sets. And when we don't have those skills, it's easy to panic when it doesn't go as we planned.
But it's a skill set worth building. We'll touch the high points this week, but of course there's a lot more to learn. One resource that you may find useful is my 2015 book, Crowdsourcing Wisdom, available on Amazon, Lulu.com or Gumroad.com.
Try It On
Think of a time when someone asked for your opinion but didn't really have any intention of using it. Maybe it was a work meeting, or a public forum about a development in your neighborhood, or a “we want to hear from you!!!" form on an online store that pissed you off.
How did that experience make you feel?
How did your feel about the person or organization that asked you?
What do you wish they had done differently?