As Simple As Possible

As I have written about and explored the Antimatter Principle over the past two years, I have learned some things about how to explain it. Looking back through the collection of posts, and bearing in mind others’ reactions, I suspect I have done a fair but no way remarkable job of explaining why “attending to folks’ need” is the only thing we need to nurture awesomely effective knowledge-work businesses.

Accessibility

I guess Einstein really was a genius, not only for his ideas, but for the ways in which he made those ideas accessible to the general public. For example, regarding the Theory of Relativity:

“When you sit with a nice girl for two hours you think it’s only a minute. But when you sit on a hot stove for a minute you think it’s two hours. That’s relativity.”

The Antimatter Principle follows a simple line of reasoning:

• Collaborative knowledge-work always involves humans and social relationships.
• We find great joy in helping each other in meaningful ways.
• The effective workplace is one which recognises and works with, rather than against, these facts.
• Self-strengthening “virtuous circle”: As we experience the joy of helping others, we want to do more.

 When you sit with someone for hours helping them get their needs met, it doesn’t even feel like work. But when you sit working for just a few minutes disconnected from people, relationships and a social purpose, it can feel like eternal damnation. That’s the Antimatter Principle.

– Bob

Further Reading

Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired To Connect ~ Matthew D.Lieberman