In my teens, I was told that if I wanted to gain greater knowledge that I should always be in the vicinity of those who seek it.
This statement challenged me, for it is not just knowledge that is sought after, but it is “greater” knowledge that is the ultimate desired goal. Knowledge seekers span from academic students, professors and scholars, to wandering artists, underground musicians and free thinkers. We all have the ability to acquire information as individual explorers unravelling the unknown.
What is “greater” knowledge?
There is no doubt that we are inherently driven to build knowledge in groups. There’s magic in the collectiveness of eager brain waves conquering the depths of wisdom. Bringing together a varied network of perspectives, loyalties and aspirations, we give birth to an evolving eco-system for knowledge. Common goals start to take shape and the learning becomes as organic as it is compelling.
Ultimately, and through cognitive introspection, we build consensus and we reach a stage of shared goals where knowledge is not only acquired, but blended with the essence of our thinking and reintroduced to the sphere of information. This promotes some of the most positive connotations and conditions in a group setting:
- The actions of one member of the group can substitute the actions of another
- Focusing positive mental energy on a particular object, person or idea outside of one self
- Receptive to influencing and being influenced by others
This, is greater knowledge.
Positive Collaboration
The word collaboration is often heard and suggested to be used amongst groups without necessarily applying its truest form.
Collaboration requires an incredibly flexible thought process and the finest application of social leadership. It is an open-source environment enabling contributors to exercise humanity’s most precious action, free will, without the barriers of scrutiny and neglect. Positive collaboration breaks the thick ice of ego and allows for a depth of resources, recognition and reward.
To collaborate, is to drop the expectations and rely on each other’s strengths to form an integrated unit that creates and produces for the good of the goal.
To positively collaborate, is to evolve the collaboration to overcome or transform the negativities and obstacles that may arise. Then, redirects the group to a readjusted path that is still leading to create and produce for the good of the goal.
A positively collaborative eco-system
Brilliantly thought out strategies, a wide variety of scenarios fitting to the majority of individuals and most importantly a mountain of learning are some of the fruits we reap from positively collaborating.
Yet, the one I see of utmost benefit is this self-reproducing eco-system that when fully absorbed, can be applied to potentially every aspect of our lives, which in return develops a good habit of positively engaging others to unite, create and produce.