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Today’s big announcement of Google Wave from Google generated lots of buzz.

This great guide from Mashable describes Google Wave like this……

Google Wave is a real-time communication platform. It combines aspects of email, instant messaging, wikis, web chat, social networking, and project management to build one elegant, in-browser communication client.

It is early, so lots of questions remain about what Google Wave is, how it will work, and what it could mean to future of communication and collaboration.

But one thing that is clear….Google Wave is a next step, probably a very big step, into a new era of collaboration.

Cisco CEO, John Chambers, described this new era of collaboration in an October 2007 blog post titled Ushering In a New Era of Collaboration.  Chambers’ comments are in a business context, but as you read through this excerpt of his comments you will start to see how this new era of collaboration, enabled by internet driven collaboration technologies, will impact almost every aspect of our lives.

We are on the cusp of a new era where the Internet is transforming businesses large and small, and creating an entirely new environment for today’s workforce to communicate, collaborate and achieve. We have an opportunity to usher in a new era of economic growth and productivity and Internet-driven collaboration technologies are at the core of this transformation. Changing the very nature of work, these technologies are driving the rapid evolution of the workspace, where the desktop is complemented, and in some cases replaced, by smart phones and devices driven by a network-based platform.

As the value of information technology moves from the edge of the network into the core we will see a corresponding transition from transactional communications like phone calls and email to continuous collaborative experiences, similar to today’s social networking. Not only do we now expect to be able to connect to everyone from everywhere through every device, we expect it to be seamless, secure and simple. The intelligent network is what is making this possible.

Collaboration is the future. It is about what we can do together. And collaboration within and between firms worldwide is accelerating. It is enabled by technology and a change in behavior. Global, cross-functional teams create a virtual boundary-free workspace, collaborating across time zones to capture new opportunities created with customers and suppliers around the world. Investments in unified communications help people work together more efficiently. In particular, collaborative, information search and communications technologies fuel productivity by giving employees ready access to relevant information. Companies are flatter and more decentralized.

What are your thoughts on collaboration?  How has technology positively influenced your ability to collaborate with others?  What barriers to collaboration do you still face today?

This weekend at Woodlands Church (@woodlandschurch), we had the opportunity to hear from guest speaker, Tom Holladay of Saddleback Church.

Tom recently released a new book titled The Relationship Principles of Jesus.

Tom talked to us about how important our words are to our relationships.

He left us with a words challenge.  There are 5 types of words that can transform our relationships.  We are to choose at least 1 of the 5 and work these words into our speech this week.

1)  Kind words transform worry to joy

Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.  - Proverbs 12:25 (TEV)

2)  Gentle words break through anger

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  - Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

3)  Pleasant words encourage learning

Pleasant words promote instruction.  - Proverbs 16:21b (NIV)

4)  Honest words make us feel loved

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.  - Proverbs 24:26 (NIV)

5)  Wise words heal broken hearts

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.  - Proverbs 12:18 (TEV)

Join me in the challenge.  Which type of words will you incorporate into your relationships this week?  I have chosen gentle words.

If “the conversation” outside the workplace looks like this……..

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then why does “the conversation” inside the workplace still look like this?

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One of my all-time favorite web apps is Basecamp, a project collaboration tool from 37signals.  So I enjoyed reading the story behind Basecamp on this Happy Birthday – Basecamp Turns Five! post on the Signal vs. Noise blog.

Here are a few great comments about communication, collaboration, projects and software from the post by Jason Fried……

We built Basecamp because our projects and client communications were a mess. We were using email to update our clients. That works for about 5 minutes, then goes from ripe to rotten pretty quicky.

Projects aren’t about charts, graphs, stats, and reports. Projects aren’t broadcasts. Projects are about people and communication and collaboration. Projects are about back-and-forth, give and take.

We also didn’t really like the idea of “management.” Management is hard work. Management is administrative. Management gets in the way. Collaboration better described what we were after.

One of the most rewarding things has been showing people that there’s a different way, a better way. Software doesn’t have to be a pain in the ass. Software doesn’t have to get in the way. Software isn’t about feature lists and sensational promises. Software is a concise set of tools that serve as an extension of your own mind. Great software lets you get things done and then it gets out of your way.

I am a member of a very, very large church.  But it doesn’t feel like it.

Large, growing, healthy churches are successful at growing smaller while growing larger.

- Strong friendships are developed as small groups of members gather in homes regularly for study and fellowship.

- Connections are made as small groups of members do ministry together.

- Members gather to grow in areas like personal finance, marriage, parenting, recovery, and Bible study and break into smaller groups.

- Members gather in common areas at church like cafes, bookstores, and outdoor spaces and they get to know each other in smaller groups.

I also work at a very, very large company.  And I can’t help but think about how this growing smaller while growing larger principle from large churches could be applied at large companies.

- Collaboration works better within smaller groups of employees.

- Communication is easier within smaller groups of employees.

- Speed, agility, flexibility, adaptability are available within smaller groups of employees.

- Strong working relationships are developed easier within smaller groups of employees.

I wonder if companies that want to grow larger need to first think about growing smaller.