I remember those words vividly. My second born son had just turned five and he turned to me and said 'You are Not the Boss Over Me.'  That day commemorated 'the beginning of the end' in which he would show me things I never imagined would come true -- that he was going to be better, faster and more fascile than I was at using today's newest technologies.  Now, what I did not realize was how profound his words would be when it came to business.

I had grown up in an era when leaders had control over all the information and tools they needed to 'command and control' their enterprises. In short, doctors had patient records and offices, broadcasters had TV programs and TV stations, teachers had course curriculums and classrooms, newpapers had managing editors and printing presses and management consultants had experts and researchers.   But, what they and I didn't know was that my son had signaled the end of this era, and more importantly, the control and hoarding of information that was part and parcel of the industrial age corporate structure.

My son was telling me that he and his peers were going to use emerging technologies to become their own teachers, educators, consultants, journalists and broadcasters -- peers communicating and interacting with peers.  And the style of leadership, the approaches to business management and the technologies we used were about to come to a frightful end.  And he was right. The April 22nd edition of the Economist is proof. In fact, the article clearly demonstrates that today's communications -- blogs, wikis, podcasts and live journals -- is turning everyone into an expert.  And the traditional experts like me who once controlled content, media, research and commerce -- are increasingly losing control to those that know how to use these new technologies. My son's technologies.

So what do you and your organization do if my son (now 16 years old) is right and soon, you will no longer be the boss of your company's destiny, its information or constituents? My answer: provide the tools of today to your people -- your employees, customers, investors and partners -- and watch the power of their collective wisdom come to life. Build a community of your people and you might just be thrilled and amazed by the power and insights of them all collaborating and communicating.  Blog on!  - Barry  5/5/06