Bob DePasquale

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The Obligation to Share Lessons Learned: Empowering a Better World

It’s experiment time!

You’re probably thinking, “Uh-oh.  Here he goes again with a new crazy idea.”

Here’s the deal; E-Impact is supposed to be about making the world a better place by sharing lessons and inspirational stories to the entire world - yes, the entire world.

I have noticed a flaw with this model (I hope you appreciate the honesty):

Offering something to the entire world is likely to leave quite a few people without what they need.  

I am fully convinced that everyone in the world has their own unique set of gifts and skills with which they can make the world a better place.  The message of this blog can help everyone.  However, if I share that broad of a message, the people who most need to hear it don’t find themselves to be the ideal reader.  

I need to be better at sharpening the message for the primed impactmaker.

AI isn’t taking over.

I mentioned in E-Impact 156 that Artificial Intelligence (AI) hadn’t been responsible for writing any entries but that might change.  Well, here is the day.  Let me be clear though.  This is not a choice to stop producing this blog. It relates directly to the subject of this entry.

I have been learning a lot about how to use AI.  It’s time to start sharing.  With that being said, I see this great tool being an important contributor every week (maybe this is more than an experiment).  And so my goal is to use AI to assist in developing a more targeted approach.

You can’t just provide a one-liner to the tool and expect a great article.  You must prompt it well.  In fact, I even asked it what to provide and it gave a detailed list.  There were six things:

  1. Clearly define the topic: Determine the specific subject or theme of your blog article. The more specific and focused the topic is, the easier it will be to provide targeted information.

  2. Outline your main points: Create an outline that includes the main ideas you want to cover in your article. This will help structure the content and ensure a logical flow.

  3. Provide relevant context: If there is any specific context, background information, or specific audience you're targeting, please provide those details. It will help tailor the content to your needs.

  4. Specify desired tone and style: Let me know if there is a particular tone or writing style you would like for your blog article. For example, you may want it to be conversational, informative, formal, or casual.

  5. Indicate desired length: If you have a preferred word count or article length, please mention it. This will help me gauge the level of detail and depth required.

  6. Ask specific questions: If you have any specific questions or points you'd like me to address in the article, please list them. This will ensure that I cover the information you're interested in.

I did exactly what it said and will even provide the questions and answers at the end of this entry.

Here’s what I got:

“In the realm of conscious capitalism, where the focus lies on making a positive impact, there exists an undeniable responsibility to share the lessons we learn. Each day, we acquire valuable knowledge and insights that can transform the lives of others. By readily sharing this information, we have the power to elevate individuals and collectively shape a better world. In this entry, I’ll explore the three key reasons why humans owe it to each other to share the lessons they've learned.

We All Learn Every Day

Every moment presents an opportunity to learn and grow. Whether it's through personal experiences, formal education, or interactions with the world around us, we are constantly gathering insights. It is estimated that the average person has around 60,000 thoughts per day, demonstrating the vast capacity for learning within us. Each of these thoughts is an opportunity to gain knowledge that can be of immense value to others.

When we encounter new challenges or embark on different paths, we acquire lessons that shape our perspectives and understanding. These experiences are not limited to specific individuals or experts; they are accessible to anyone willing to listen and learn. By recognizing that learning is a lifelong journey, we embrace the responsibility to share the lessons we've learned and contribute to the collective wisdom of humanity.

Unlocking Unique Information

Once we acquire knowledge, we possess information that others may not have access to. Our unique experiences, perspectives, and insights create a tapestry of wisdom waiting to be shared. In our daily interactions, we come across situations where our knowledge can make a significant difference in someone else's life. By willingly sharing this information, we become catalysts for growth and transformation.

Consider the myriad of fields and industries where individuals have specialized knowledge and expertise. From medicine to technology, from art to entrepreneurship, every domain holds valuable insights that, when shared, can uplift countless lives. It is through this act of sharing that we contribute to a more interconnected and empowered society.

Research has shown that the average person has around 11 social interactions per day. While the number may vary depending on lifestyle, occupation, and social circumstances, the fundamental idea remains that we engage with others regularly. Each interaction is an opportunity to share our wisdom and experiences, fostering a culture of knowledge exchange.

Sharing for Mutual Empowerment

Nothing beats collaboration.

By sharing the lessons we've learned, we empower others to embark on their own journeys of growth and transformation. Teaching something we've learned has been found to be one of the most effective ways to solidify that knowledge within ourselves. Research has shown that when we teach a concept to someone else, our understanding and retention of that concept significantly improve. This mutually beneficial process fosters a culture of continuous learning and uplifts the collective well-being of society.

Moreover, sharing lessons learned encourages a cycle of reciprocity. When we freely offer our knowledge, others are inspired to do the same. This creates an atmosphere of collaboration and support, where the collective wisdom of individuals becomes a force for positive change. Through shared information and experiences, we foster a sense of unity and understanding, transcending barriers and building bridges between diverse communities.”

One of my favorite concepts in the business world is masterminds.  The term itself isn’t really that attractive but the community is.  It seems to be that the highest performing people of any industry spend a lot of time together.  I have heard on multiple occasions in the past year about people who have attended some kind of mastermind retreat or recurring meeting.  I am a part of couple myself.

Honestly, I need to take better advantage of these groups.  Masterminds ensure that you will be around like-minded people who have a high chance of sharing certain situations with you.  Imagine the ultimate impactmaker mastermind where we all share best practices, share our struggles, and celebrate our successes.  This is group learning, reciprocity, and collective wisdom at its finest.

I always feel motivated to make strong progress related to the topic of the masterminds I’ve attend.  It makes me feel there are others with shared interests, a place to go for assistance, and a solid market for the subject.  

In the realm of conscious capitalism, the obligation to share our learned lessons becomes even more vital. By embracing this responsibility, we tap into the potential to create a ripple effect of positive change. As we recognize that we all have the ability to help others and improve lives, we find ourselves inspired and challenged to take action. Let us harness the power of sharing knowledge and experiences, for in doing so, we contribute to a world where information flows freely, empowering individuals and propelling humanity towards a brighter future.

Well, there you have it. I did some copy editing but that’s it.  It’s definitely on track with what we are looking for in The Impactmaker Movement.  It will need to learn more about how I write but it’s a great start.  The most valuable thing I believe is the ability to pull statistics and put them in prose.

The introduction and conclusion are too similar but maybe it drives the point home.  It did, however, address the questions I had.

Here is what I asked:

How many thoughts does the average person have per day?

The average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day.

How many interactions with other people does the average person have per day?

The number of interactions can vary significantly depending on various factors such as lifestyle, occupation, and social environment. On average, an individual may have several dozen interactions with others per day, ranging from casual conversations to formal meetings.

Are there any studies that have confirmed that teaching something is the best way to learn it?

Yes, research has demonstrated that teaching others is an effective way to solidify one's own understanding and retention of a concept. The phenomenon is known as the "protégé effect," where the act of teaching enhances the teacher's own learning. Several studies have supported this concept, highlighting the benefits of teaching in deepening one's knowledge and comprehension of a subject.

Those answers serve an important purpose so that’s why I believe that to be the most valuable offering of the tool.

I also asked it to leave a spot for me to add a personal story.  It gave a clear indication of where to put it (right before the concluding paragraph).  

My conclusion is that the tool is valuable and increasingly effective with the right prompts.  It is also important to read, re-read, and format what it provides as needed.  It saves some research and writing time but it doesn’t help you avoid working to make something worthy of publication.

I’d love to know your thoughts on the technology, if and how you’ve used it, and what applications are effective for you in your work?

The greatest of tools are still but tools.  It’s kind of like money.  What’s your relationship with it and how do you manage it?

Let me know what you think.  

A lesson learned should be a lesson shared.