How To Share

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“Everyone has a talent. What’s rare is to follow it to the dark places where it leads.” – Erica Jong

Do you have a solid idea of what you know? Not what your jobs have been or what roles you have played but the overarching talent, wisdom, and perspective that is uniquely you?

I ask because I’ve spent the last five months trying to figure out what I know. Believe me, I understand that seems like a long time to try to answer what is a seemingly straightforward question. But I found it to be harder than I expected.

Here’s why. I’m bound by a non-compete so that I can’t fall back to the technical expertise that I’ve cultivated for my career, at least not for a few more months. But that has been an incredible opportunity for me to figure out the bigger picture. Instead of just treading the same path I’ve been walking with Microsoft SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and the other technologies, I’ve had to examine what mountain I’ve been climbing the whole time.

Here’s what I discovered. In the 25 years I’ve been helping people with their collaboration software, I’ve learned a whole lot about how to share.

Not just what buttons to push to share a file, a photo or a calendar, but what makes groups do it well – and also do it poorly.

One of the more stark examples was a team that was so good at sharing not only files but also ideas, contacts, and worries about what could go wrong, they seemed to be able to nimbly handle challenges.

And then the leadership changed to someone who criticized that they talked too much, wanted people to focus on their own tasks instead of helping others, and berated team members for anything shared before it was polished. The leader thought they were “whipping the team into shape” but one of the side effects was that they were squelching vulnerability and sharing.

A couple of months into the new leadership, the team lost a key client. In the debriefing, it became clear that team members had picked up some little warning signs. If they’d shared them, it would have helped put together the big picture that the client was at risk.

While this example is in a professional context, it happens again and again in writing groups, schools, between friends, and more.

We have to share and it’s vulnerable. So we are continually evaluating who the audience is, what are the right permissions and how to identify the right time. That applies to files as well as personal stories, social media, wisdom, and more.

This period of introspection about what I know has pushed me to launch a new podcast, How to Share. It draws not only from my interest and experience but also applicable research and wisdom. My incredible and insightful first season guests will lend their expertise on how to share things such as credit and feedback, passwords, corporate communications, as well as how to receive when others share.

Here’s a short clip from the first episode, Why We Share:


Based on recent technology changes, we learned that embedding the full YouTube video reduces listens and views. Here are some ways you can listen and watch:

I’d be honored if you’d listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

On the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, Vicki and I also had a fascinating podcast conversation with author Mark Wukas about his incredible debut novel The Kiss of The Night. Please check out this fantastic author and hear how he cultivated his dream to write a book and this plot for almost 40 years!

How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater – How To Share

In this enlightening conversation, Gil Gillenwater is with host Wynne Leon and shares his experiences and insights from over 35 years of philanthropic work along the US-Mexico border. He discusses his book, 'Hope on the Border,' which highlights the transformative power of education and community service. Gil emphasizes the importance of enlightened self-interest over traditional charity, advocating for a model that empowers individuals and fosters dignity. He explores the duality of poverty, the need for sustainable opportunities, and the joy found in serving others, ultimately presenting a vision for a more connected and compassionate world.TakeawaysEducation is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.Enlightened self-interest can lead to personal and communal growth.Charity should not be viewed as a sacrifice but as a mutual benefit.Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment.Welfare can disempower individuals and communities.Community service fosters connections and shared humanity.The disparity in wealth is a significant issue that needs addressing.Experiencing poverty firsthand can change perspectives.Creating opportunities in one's home country can reduce migration.The joy of service is a pathway to personal happiness.Links for this episode:How to Share homeHope on the Border at AmazonGil's organization: Rancho FelizGil Gillenwater on FacebookWynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/; Substack: https://wynneleon930758.substack.com/
  1. How to Share Our Luck with Gil Gillenwater
  2. How to Share 1970's Chicago with Doug. E. Jones
  3. How to Share Feedback with Dr. Vicki Atkinson
  4. How to Share the Next Generation with Mari Sarkisian Wyatt
  5. How to Share Impactfully with Social Media Friends with Amy Weinland Daughters

59 thoughts on “How To Share”

  3. “We have to share and it’s vulnerable. So we are continually evaluating who the audience is, what are the right permissions and how to identify the right time. That applies to files as well as personal stories, social media, wisdom, and more.” Very timely and relatable, Wynne. Congratulations on your new podcast!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. What an interesting yet not too surprising story you tell about how the culture of that business affected clients! Congratulations on the new podcast – I’ll definitely check it out. Rock on Wynne! 🤘

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I totally agree with and applaud your premise/observation that leadership that includes as many voices as possible makes a big difference, both in results and also how people feel about their work and workplace. Too bad that so many people in leadership roles are all about control. Good luck with your new venture, Wynne.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, you said it so well, Jane. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve heard headers say that collaboration is good for their organization — but they aren’t going to do it. I secretly believe it’s because they don’t know how… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, my friend! Funny, I was just researching the line between sharing and oversharing. Professor Marisa Franco says it’s all in the motivation. If we are doing it out of fear (like out of fear someone won’t like us), it’s oversharing. If it’s done in the spirit of trust and safety, then it’s likely to be vulnerability. I thought that was an interesting distinction!

      Liked by 2 people

  16. Way to go, Wynne! You are a human dynamo iif you can manage two podcasts. I admire anyone who keeps trying new things. I think that reveals a lot about a person’s character.

    Your comment about your experience with leadership made me think of effective and not so effective bosses I’ve worked for. The “whip them into shape” style is so ineffective. Ruling by intimidation or fear seldom works.

    I’ve got a busy week ahead, but I’ll try to make time to watch or listen to the podcast soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your kind words and support, Pete. I need and appreciate your encouragement so much! Enjoy the weekend and happy Mother’s day to all the mothers in your life!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. This is an excellent idea, Wynne. While reading your post, two words came to mind: knowledge management. Finding a way to codify what we know and how to share it is at the heart of KM, and it sounds to me like you’ll be great at it. Well, I know what podcast I’ll be listening to tomorrow.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, you said it perfectly, Edward. “Finding a way to codify what we know and how to share it is at the heart of KM” – exactly!! Thank you for your enthusiasm and support, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

      2. Hey, I listened to the podcast and it was great. I tried leaving a review, but for some reason, it didn’t allow me to, except for selecting the rating. Here’s what I was planning to write:
        “Great first episode! I think the podcaster is onto something with this subject. Sharing is extremely important in the context of the corporate world, but it’s more than that. Learning how to share in life, in community, and even across different points of view is essential. I believe this podcast has the potential to fill a knowledge gap in this area.”

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Oh, Edward – thank you so much for the comment! I’ll check the podcast channels to make sure they are open for comments but I am so glad for this much needed feedback! I appreciate you!

        Like

  18. The most impactful sharing comes from the heart, not the head, because then it embraces your humanity and the humanity of the listener. It is easier to accept guidance, or knowledge, from one who walks beside you and shares their struggles with you, than someone who stands apart and keeps their failures to themselves.

    Like

  19. Insightful post, Wynne, and Congrats on your second podcast. I don’t know how you do it all, but I’m pressed! I enjoyed the clip, and at first, I rooted for the chimpanzees, but then I love the idea of “a global exchange of ideas.” Happy Mother’s Day! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

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  21. Congrats Wynne on the start of your new podcast. What a wonderful idea and so fitting that you ended with a story about climbing.

    I’m fascinated and inspired by how you turned your career and experience in supporting others use collaborative tools into a big metaphor about life and sharing itself.

    Hariri is right, we can do more together and why we have evolved in greater ways than the chimps!

    Look forward to tuning into your new show!

    Liked by 1 person

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