Editor’s Note: This is a continuation of our core conversation on “Great Connections Lead to Great Ideas.” Yesterday, Sarah Robinson encouraged us not to create in a vacuum. Today, Michael Bungay Stanier shows us how his network helps him bring projects to fruition.
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Today I’m launching a book that saves lives. It’s got 62 people cool people – people you know, like Pam Slim, Jonathan Fields, Les McKeown, Danielle LaPorte (all part of this great series, by the way) and more – sharing their best tips and insights on how to do more Great Work. $20 of every book sold goes to Malaria No More to buy a mosquito net and support their life-saving work in Africa.
Making connections and starting conversations was the key to bringing this project to fruition, and in this video I share the two most important conversations I started, and the power of being bold, being personable and being generous.
Note: If you’re reading this via email or a feed reader, you’ll need to click through to the post to see the video.
More about Michael: Michael Bungay Stanier is the Senior Partner of Box of Crayons, a company that helps people and organizations do less Good Work and more Great Work. He’s written a number of books, the best known of which is Do More Great Work and today is the launch of his latest Great Work Project: End Malaria, a book that saves lives by raising money for Malaria No More.
Charlie and Michael, thanks so much for this – I don’t usually watch videos, but Michael, you held my attention for every second. Stepping out of our comfort zone to contact someone “bigger than us” isn’t always easy to do – but we really have nothing to lose.
Best of luck with your new book!
When I have an idea, I make sure to tell a few trusted soles in my network. Then I know they will keep me accountable to push the idea through to creation. Great book and great project…thanks!
A friend of mine is a missionary in Africa. He is still recovering from malaria he contacted through a mosquito. In his letter home in August he spoke about the tremendous need for netting and the small cost it would be to each person to help fill the need. I was thrilled to hear about your project and have passed it on to my email list and Facebook friends.
Loved this video from Michael – I met him at WDS this year, albeit very briefly, and he seems like a genuinely nice, down-to-earth guy, plus his work is brilliant. 🙂
I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of others in my network! It is abso-freaking-lutely invaluable to be able to email someone and say “Hey – do you have a few spare moments to hop on Skype and give me feedback on this idea?” or even just say “I’m having a bad day and wanting to throw away all of the work I’ve done so far.” and get some support. Feedback, support, encouragement, brainstorming, accountability – all things I get from my network, and I love them for it!
Charlie – thanks for letting me come play on this fab month of communication and connection – and thank you Michelle, Michele, Terry and Lisa for the generous remarks.
Woo hoo!
Michael, congratulations! I first heard about you when Jennifer Louden interviewed you for TeachNOW. And I picked up your book Do More Great Work. In this video clip I loved hearing how you made your book happen. I am also intrigued by your remarks at the end about relationships and design. I’d love to win a copy of “End Malaria.” If not, I’ll pick it up. I’m coming to WDS next year and look forward to meeting you.
It’s amazing how many business deals are clinched over a brief conversation at a golf course, restaurant, movie or a party. “Socials” help us to meet like-minded people. When you meet such people, they can help you out with any issues you may be facing. Together, you can identify the problem and, hopefully, find a solution. Networking enables you to forge life-long friendships and business partnerships. So many companies have been started by people who met one another, by chance, at a function or event or even on-line now.
The success of new business ventures in Silicon Valley proves my point. Cheers.