Working in the Open Explained (part 2)

Sam McLaren
3 min readMar 28, 2023

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Working in the open

Well… what is it?

Working in the open… a phrase which you may have heard thrown around a lot in the workplace or on various social media but what does working in the open mean and why should you do it?

Well. Today I’m going to try and answer those questions.

I recently filmed a video discussing this topic that covers all the basics and ideas you might need to know.

Check it out below!

You may have already watched the video or you may just be checking this out now but the point is, i thought i would write a little companion piece to shine some more light on working in the open and offer some deeper insight that i couldn't put into the video!

What are the benefits?

One of the most significant benefits of working in the open is the ability to get feedback from a wider range of people. By sharing my work openly, I have been able to connect with others who share my interests and expertise. This has helped me to get valuable feedback on my work, which has allowed me to improve it and make it more effective.

Another benefit of working in the open is the ability to build stronger relationships with others. By collaborating with others, I have been able to learn from their expertise, share my own knowledge, and build trust and respect. This has helped me to build a strong network of colleagues and peers who I can rely on for support and guidance.

How can it help me?

By working in the open, you can gain valuable feedback, build stronger relationships, and make a bigger impact. Whether you are a student, a professional, or an entrepreneur, working in the open can help you achieve your goals faster and more efficiently.

When i have worked on projects in the past there has been some invaluable feedback and conversations that have come out of doing a show and tell that has change the momentum and direction of a piece of work.

Being able to openly talk about what works and what didn't go as well is about creating an honest dialogue so people can learn from mistakes but also be inspired by how you overcame them.

Something as simple as an collegue from a different team saying “have you thought about using this tool” can fundamentally change the direction of a project and would not happen if you did not openly share your work.

How can i get started?

If you are new to working in the open, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. However, getting started in a small way can be a great way to build your confidence and momentum.

For example, you could start by sharing your work with a few trusted colleagues or peers, through a blog post or a weeknote or even just sharing your work directly. As you become more comfortable, you can gradually expand your network and start sharing your work more widely.

FIN

In conclusion, working in the open is a powerful approach that can help you achieve your goals faster and more efficiently. By sharing your work openly and collaborating with others you can make a bigger impact and come up with new fresh ideas and perspectives.

So why not get started today and see how working in the open can transform your work and your life?

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Sam McLaren

Working to promote Dorset as a place to live, work, and visit. DL100 member. Inspiringthefuture volunteer. TED Speaker #SamsBrightIdeas