Feb 14 07
Digital Natives vs. Immigrants
We’re living in very interesting times. Most of us who’ve crossed the 35 year mark don’t get the half of it. We may be aware of the political, social, even the innovative changes in our time. But simply because of our age, we don’t get much of the 2.0 world coming at us from all directions.
We use the terms digital natives and digital immigrants. We hear the words but we don’t get the message. Sadly we’re not hard wired to get it. But talk with teenagers, even 20 something’s and they get it. Natives all.
What do we not get? Start with the importance of social networks, the significance of YouTube interactions, and the open network where nothing is private and users are empowered to make decisions based on information they’ve gathered from their own sources rather than fed to them from traditional structures. The metaphor is the iPod and personal programming vs. your local music station. It’s a flat enterprise with team consensus vs. top down directives, driven by entrepreneurial management. Freedom to innovate both personally and professionally with a loyalty to ideas vs. institutions. Admit it; you still don’t get it right?
So what should we immigrants to innovation be doing to survive during this metamorphic age of technological adoption? Well, here are some suggestions:
- Know you don’t get it. Think about your grandparents trying to understand the internet. That’s kind of what it’s like
- Get out of the way and be helpful rather than impeding the process
- Bring maturity to the conversation by accepting what you don’t understand while contributing historical perspective and experiences
- Listen carefully and listen a lot
- Encourage the sharing of ideas and the creation of structures which allow for their continued development
- Invest your time in developing ideas rather than maintaining power in traditional command and control structures
- And finally realize your continued success is dependent on the adoption and application of innovation
I know it’s difficult. It’s kind of a Zen idea. Give up control to gain it. Don’t fight it, give in to it. While we can never be digital natives, we can be recognized as helpful immigrants grateful to be accepted in a new land of innovation and change. Welcome to the new world.
