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The Professional Revolution

Jun 18, 2010 » by Michael Barata

This is quite an exciting time, indeed. Since joining up with Cali & Jody, I have had the pleasure of e-meeting so many incredible people (ala social media). Two people I’d like you to get to know are C.A. Hurst and Jessica Ballard. They have started a professional revolution using social media, books, and a ton of passion.

Some of you may know C.A. from his comments on the blog. If not, allow me to e-introduce you all to him and The Professional Revolution….

Hi! My name is C. A. Hurst and I’m writing from Kennewick, Washington, part of Tri-Cities, Washington (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland). I’m working with Jessica Ballard, committee chair of the professional development committee of the Young Professionals of Tri-Cities, to create a happenin’, effective professional development program.

We call it The Professional Revolution (PR) and you can “Like It” on Facebook. Here’s our description: We’re a lean, mean self-growth machine. We’ll turn you on to some of the coolest websites and hottest books goin’, right now, today!

PR has two main elements: 1. Using social media professionally and effectively. 2. Reading.

Last month’s read was “A Whole New Mind” by Dan Pink. For July, we’re reading/discussing “Why Work Sucks (And How To Fix It)” by Cali Ressler & Jody Thompson. (Oh, that’s right, this is the ROWE blog. You already knew that!) The pick for August is “Saving the World at Work” by Tim Sanders, former Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo.

My opinion is that these three books help outline what’s happening in today’s world of work: Creativity is moving to the forefront, adults are demanding to be treated like adults in the workplace, and there is a growing awareness of the need for corporate responsibility in order to preserve the planet for both ourselves and future generations.

Part of the fun for PR is that we’re inviting the authors to join in on the “Discussions” page on the PR Facebook site: Dan Pink is going to drop by and comment on “A Whole New Mind”, and Cali & Jody will be joining in on the “Why Work Sucks” discussion.  Talking to Tim Sanders about wading in to share some thoughts on “Saving the World at Work”.

Think of this as a ROSE (Results Only Self-Growth Environment). The results are all up to you. Participate as much or as little as you like. Explore new ideas and concepts. Express your thoughts and opinions with like-minded peers from all over. Feed UR mind good stuff. (That’s from Tim Sanders.) You have complete autonomy. Experiment with how all this fresh, vibrant information fits into your professional and personal life. Consider how you can combine all the elements of your education and experience to fashion yourself into a neo-renaissance person and begin to master the new opportunities available in this brave new world we see emerging. Join up with a whole tribe of other crusaders to challenge the status quo not only in the world of work, but also in how we educate our children, express ourselves, and in every other facet of our lives. (Oh, hey! Did that sound like autonomy, mastery, and purpose like in “Drive” by Dan Pink?)

So, all of you people-centric (Tim Sanders again) linchpins and professional dot-connectors, let’s get this show on the road. Check out PR on Facebook. Get reading and join the discussion. Tell your friends about what you’re up to and invite them to drop by and check it out. Let’s start a Professional Revolution that will help shape a better world!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/ResultsOnlyWorkEnvironment ROWE Fan

    Very cool. I would love to start this in my area! It would be great if there were a PR chapters all over the country.

  • C. A. Hurst

    Hi ROWE Fan!

    Thank you for being the first commenter on this post! :-)

    Part of the total coolness of this is that by reading and commenting here you just started PR in your area.

    Next step: Find us on Facebook, go to the Discussions page, and write a comment about “Why Work Sucks”. I know you’ve read it. If you haven’t read “A Whole New Mind”, please get a copy, read it, and get in on the discussion.

    The social media part of this is what we’re doing right here, right now; finding people of like mind to connect with so we can share all this great, positive energy each other.

  • C. A. Hurst

    That should have been “with each other.” I hate it when I miss typos and dropped words!

  • http://www.campbellblack.co.uk Rob Symes

    Hi Michael,

    what a great initiative. It sounds really fantastic. I wish you all the best of luck. I know your a big fan of video for your blog. Have you thought about videoing the discussions with the authors. I think that would be a great way to spark interest.
    best,
    Rob

    • Michael Barata

      Thanks for checking out ThoughtFusion! Much appreciated! And YES!!! Look for vids and live chat sessions with Cali & Jody coming soon….

  • C. A. Hurst

    Hey Rob,

    What a totally cool idea! Thank you!

    Michael, let’s talk about how we can make this happen. :-)