How can I help you if I do not know what you are doing?

Harold Jarche

Working Out Loud

Paul Hill Extension Assistant Professor Utah State University @4Hpro

Working Out Loud is the new way people are working. The term was coined by Bryce Williams in 2010 with a simple formula:

Working Out Loud = Observable Work + Narrating Your Work

Not Mindless Broadcasts

5 Elements of WOLAccording to John Stepper

Make Your Work VisiblePost where people can find it.

Make Your Work BetterSearch for ways to improve it.

Lead with GenerosityFrame posts as contributions rather than self-promotions.

Build a Social NetworkDevelop real relationships with people by giving first.

Make it all PurposefulStay focused on the goal.

How

Create a space for Working Out Loud. Look for a solution that allows you to share different types of content (docs, photos, links, videos, etc.), and includes advanced search capabilities and social networking features.

Provide coaching and mentorship. Some people will be afraid or uncomfortable about sharing, others will share too much, or too often. It’s useful to have someone who can be a sounding board for what and when to share, and to provide feedback along the way.

Make it easy. Choose a solution that’s easy-to-use and includes mobile apps, browser extensions, email compatibility, single sign-on, and integrates with commonly used applications.

Give an incentive for participation. This may include public recognition that can be as simple as a mention in social media, or doing something a little more elaborate like giving gift cards to reward content that spurs conversation.

Model the behavior you want to see. This will help others to feel more comfortable sharing their work. More people will participate when organization leaders leaders are also participating in Working Out Loud – showing their own work and asking for feedback.

Begin

Find relevant people and content. Use search engines, hashtags, keywords, and lists.

Put your work where others can see it. This can be an internal platform or an external social network like Twitter or LinkedIn

Make it part of your routine. This could mean scheduling time on your calendar to build these skills.

Give back by liking, commenting, sharing interesting content, and connecting people. 

Takeaways

To become known as an expert in a field, you have to share what you know.

Working ‘in the open’ can help you build your personal learning network.

Narrating your work can be an effective training and mentoring tool.

Working Out Loud Worksheet

Q&A

Working Out Loud

Paul Hill Extension Assistant Professor Utah State University @4Hpro