Distillery No. 9.

This is the ninth of 365 interviews I’m going to share here over time. I’m reaching out to the people who inspire me all over the world, asking each of them the same four questions.

If you identify with the phrase “Think globally, act locally,” you already have a lot in common with Derek Neighbors. He’s out here in Chandler, Arizona, dismantling the status quo and using what little of it is salvageable to build the great cities of the future. He gets involved in community development the old fashioned way – in-person - and uses the latest digital channels to spread the word. From art walks and Oktoberfest in old town, to open house at the new Local Motors microfactory, Derek gets involved.

And then there’s Gangplank, a collaborative workspace where there’s always something going on. I’ve yet to go, personally, but damn, do I believe in what they’re trying to do. Local entrepreneurs and business owners sharing their experiences and knowledge at brown bag sessions, then making themselves available for one-on-one advice, Hack Night, and more – why am I writing this post at home?

Derek pretty much embodies what I’d like to be, myself, one day; making a living helping others help each other build great things.

Note: Some of these will be longer, some will be shorter. I encourage people to respond as simply or as in-depth as they feel.

If you could distill everything you’ve learned so far into a single word of advice to yourself, what would that one word be?

Serendipidity

Why does this one word mean so much to you?

It is the key to unlocking so much more than we think is possible.  It breathes life into new possibilities for the future of humanity.

How does this one word impact what you do (or want to do) with your life?

It lets me know that anything is possible.  That being prepared and open to possibility allows things greater than expected to unfold.  It has taught me to be bold with ideas and confident in delivering results.  It has pushed me to want to change how people organizations and cities are built and run.

What has this word done for you so far?

It has given me the ability to leave my day job and turn my passion into my work.  It has helped build relationships and open doors to make change not just locally but internationally.  Most importantly it has connected me in deeper ways to a wide of variety of people that have influenced my thinking and actions for the better.

As John Hagel says in the Power of Pull, “How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion.”

You can connect with Derek on his site, DerekNeighbors.com, or on Twitter.
(I would encourage you to do so.)

You can browse all published Distillery posts here. 

Your Distilled Thoughts:

• Are you bold and confident with ideas and results?
• What does serendipity mean to you?

In the glovebox:

• TWICs XXXI
• TWICs XXVI
• Social Workplace IV: Forming