Alcoholics Anonymous and what it taught me about great networks and authenticity...

OK it's been ages since I last wrote an article on LinkedIn. Not least because I suspect articles are slowly but surely being downgraded by LinkedIn. I think I can work out why and where LinkedIn is heading and sometimes it makes me feel like it's a zoo I can't leave!

(oh and...sooner or later I'm going to have to try and get into making videos, horror of horrors!)

It's pretty obvious nowadays if you want to get loads of likes and commentary you've just got to publish something like "Agile is for wimps and it doesn't work", or of course you can go the "Never give up on your dreams" route to inspire others with your insight, wisdom and depth, or if you've no time and just want some clicks then we've almost reached the "Here's my cat Felix photo...

However every now and again there are some great articles and shares, and in all honesty its allowed me to connect and meet with some really interesting people :-)

anyway, sorry....back to my article, for friends and connections who've read my earlier works (lol) my usual format is to have a bit of an uncontrolled rant and then try and share some of my experiences that have caused the rant. To date this has generally made me feel happier about life - a trouble shared and all that.

So this post/article is a little different. I suspect I'll end up deleting it, once I recognise that it's only me, and my three dogs who like it, although then again?

I decided to write down why one of the most challenging periods of my life ended up helping me to become me and why I feel a bit uncertain/uncertain about the word "authentic" which is starting to become de rigueur in so many peoples posts...

Nowadays there's a great deal said about "Authenticity" often by people who wouldn't know Authenticity if it was fashioned from depleted uranium and fired at them at point blank range.

I recently read an HBR article explaining how we should tailor our authenticity to the situation - now I know they're clever people but this made me want to pound a nine inch nail into my forehead and I think triggered this ranticle.

So what the hell did I mean with by my headline AA and great networks? Well I've realised how often I've shared a very personal story when chatting with people interested in joining the HiveMind Professional Network...which made me then think I'd share it with my broader community of connections. Now remember you don't have to read anything I've written so any arsehole comments I'll just delete because no-one forces anyone to read anything (except Oleg V)

Alcoholics Anonymous is probably the most extensive integrated community (network) in the world with the most authentic people I've met...

Ok so why do I think this. (I'm not an expert on all of the inner workings so if you are apologies if any of this is a bit wrong) Because I've been fortunate to attend many AA open nights. How. Because my (now ex) wife through a combination of rehab and AA has been alcohol free for over eight years and continues every day to beat her illness and inspire others to do the same. At the height of her addiction she was told she could be dead within 12 months. As an illness this ravaged our family and friends and I'd not wish it on my worst enemy. So I'll not dwell too much on the horrors of the disease - anyone who's encountered it knows what it's like (its the darkest and deepest level of hell that I think is possible and changes you profoundly).

It's the positives that really made me think. So when I attended the first few AA open nights I was amazed at how organised, well run and focused it felt. Yes there were bits I found a bit uncomfortable (and most of the stuff portrayed on telly isn't very accurate) but it was the transparency, and AUTHENTICITY, that really struck me. AA has a really strong purpose that all it's members believe in - which is roughly stay sober and you won't die. If people bullshit almost everyone can tell they are and ultimately they're simply fooling themselves. I don't think people tailored their authenticity????

It self organises and self funds. There is very little centralisation of AA, there's a lightweight governance model which connects the different groups, but on the whole if I want to set up a group and I've got the time, a couple of supporters than I can do it (the "central body" provides the information on how, and another person who's done it will help you out). Groups all chip in for the meetings - whatever they can afford. AA doesn't make a profit.

There's consistency no matter where you go in the world and it IS all around the world. No matter where you are in the world you can find a meeting. When you go there you're made to feel welcome (in my experience). You feel at home and you see the same sort of authenticity, help and support for one another. Why? Because groups that don't work well - don't continue. Members vote with their feet.

So why did this impact on me so profoundly...and turned out to be positive (in a way!)

When I started talking with my friend and former colleague (then) Lyndon about how could he create a better sort of professional network, in his words "something different, enjoyable, fun"....it was these elements which kept resonating all the time and I shared with him - Purpose, Transparency, Self-governance, Authentic honest decent people...

if you can get this right, no matter where in the world a member goes they'll be able to find a drop-in, a community where they'll feel welcomed and at home, and be able to call upon the help and support they need to be successful, with other good people.

What the AA also showed me that to be authentic, honest, transparent takes fortitude, courage and constant attention, and isn't something that you tailor to the event. You either live with these values or you don't.

In AA if you don't you probably end up dead. In business I think the consequences are harder to see - today.

I've seen some people with these qualities do quite well. However sadly I've seen a few people with the reverse of these qualities do incredibly well....but on the whole I want to be connected with people in the former category - not the latter..

Oh and one day I want any member of the hive network to be able to get off a plane anywhere in the world - tap into their hiveapp and find a place to go and have a drink with people who will make them feel welcome and at home and there to help - it's work in progress :-) :-)

Cheers folks :-)

PS and thank you to the AA for changing the lives of so many people.