The Network Singularity defeats the tyranny of geography. Unfortunately, there are major unintended consequences. The most severe problem is the faulty approach to collaboration.

People use technology when face-to-face is required. They use face-to-face when technology works great. It’s a real mess. Fortunately, the definitive answer is simple.

There are four choices. The correct choice is easy. All that matters whether the outcome is known or unknown. Most people don’t get it. They make terrible, expensive choices.

Same-time, different-place (STDP), different-time, different-place (DTDP) and different-time, same-place (DTSP), are excellent for deterministic impact and outcomes.  These are activities where the outcome is known. They are Webinars, eLearning, information sharing, learning centers, Websites, conferences, social media, and so on. They furnish information, training, operations, diffusion, ‘best practices,’ etc. These complicated activities are well-served by network technology and the Network Singularity.

Same-time, same-place (STSP) is for non-deterministic impact and outcomes. This is where the outcome is unknown, emergent, complex, social. These are creative activities like design, relationships, strategy, etc. These complex activities depend on authentic conversation, genuine collaboration, diversity, personal interactions, trust, ongoing relationships, and so forth.

Sorry, there are no exceptions to these rules. There may be some overlap, but no exceptions.

In the Age of The Network Singularity, for example, typical, large STSP conferences are an utter waste of time and money. Sitting in a hotel ballroom in some far off city and looking at PowerPoints with hundreds of people is patently ridiculous. The outcome is known. There is not emergence or collaboration. The prospect of developing meaningful relationships is nil.

Meanwhile, nothing interferes with leadership more than the  pathetic overuse of so-called collaborative technologies. For leadership, it never worked, never will. People matter. Leadership is about a shared imagination; about creating the future. The outcome is emergent, complex, imagined, unknown. Thus, by definition, ALL worthwhile leadership activities are STSP.

Let’s be honest. What matters is impact and outcome. Again, no exceptions. Often, what people enjoy or value is plain wrong. People only truly serve the networks that serve their goals and objectives. Everything else is a waste.

For example, management cheerfully sponsors people winging-off to dopey conferences at tourist destinations and resorts. They invest millions in specious IT systems and technologies. At the same time, they scrutinize and reject leadership retreats, offsite and authentic STSP collaboration. It is patently dysfunctional.

In addition, beware the collaboration technology vendor claiming to reduce your travel budget. That’s insane. Fact is, in well-led collaborative organizations, leadership travel must increase. It is easily made up by drawing down simple information sharing travel, like conferences, to zero.

Again, invest, build and strengthen your STDP, DTSP and DTSP programs and activities for management, training and information diffusion.

For leadership, STSP carries the day. Always has, always will. Invest in authentic STSP collaboration. Invest in people.