Today, more people than ever are working for themselves (self-employed, solopreneurs, freelancers), or by themselves (remote workers, digital nomads). Many are doing both.
And while there’s lots of good happening in the current work landscape, there are some real challenges, too.
One of the biggest challenges when working for yourself and by yourself is entering into an echo chamber — where you’re in an environment with little external input, and few new ideas, perspectives, or information.
Here we’ll explore why this is a problem for solopreneurs and what you can do to get out of the echo chamber to boost innovation and creativity.
Professional Echo Chambers
If you’re in a literal echo chamber, the only voice you hear is your own. You say something out loud and it bounces off the walls to come back to you.
If you’re in a professional echo chamber, you’re still only hearing your voice. You’re in an environment where the only beliefs, ideas, or opinions coincide with your own.
This can happen to solopreneurs for a few reasons:
- Working alone intentionally or unintentionally blocks outside perspectives and ideas.
- Seeking validation from people who agree with you; can happen to solopreneurs who are starting their journey as they’re afraid of critique or criticism.
- Focusing too much on their own industry and not exploring other industries.
- Not attending networking events or seeking out mentorship opportunities.
Entrepreneurs are hard-working folks who often like to put their heads down and get stuff done. And while this can be effective in furthering your professional goals, it can also lead to living in an echo chamber.
Risks of the Echo Chamber for Entrepreneurs
Okay, so some entrepreneurs find themselves in echo chambers — is it really so bad?
Here are a few risks of staying in this type of environment:
- Lack of diverse perspectives: If you aren’t actively seeking out other people and their ideas, you only rely on your perspective to make decisions. This may lead you in the wrong direction or prevent you from fully understanding a situation correctly. Diverse opinions can help you connect better with the diverse clients, customers, and partners you want to work with.
- Stifled creativity and innovation: When you lack external input, it’s hard to generate new ideas. Creativity and innovation have to come from somewhere, so interacting with diverse ideas and perspectives can boost your ability to think outside the box.
- Missed growth opportunities: An insulated environment doesn’t lead to new opportunities — meeting new people, collaborating with others, and expanding your network does. If you don’t get out of your own echo chamber, you miss potential growth opportunities for your business.
Getting Out: How to Share Ideas and Boost Innovation
All this to say, it’s important to get out of your echo chamber. You can do this in a variety of ways; some are more active and intentional, whereas others have passive benefits from simply being in a new environment.
Here are 10 ways to overcome the echo chamber:
1. Join a professional community
This is potentially the easiest and biggest impact item on the list. Simply working around other people and interacting regularly with them can go a long way.
Professional communities, such as a coworking space, let you surround yourself with other entrepreneurs and gain diverse perspectives through casual “water-cooler” interactions in common spaces or organized events for members.
2. Attend networking events
Networking events help you meet new people and expand your professional circle. When you do so, you’re actively engaging in different conversations, ideas, and perspectives. Here are some tips on how to network organically.
3. Seek out mentorship opportunities
Join an industry association or formal mentorship program to learn from experienced professionals outside of your industry. Read more about why mentorship will make you more successful as an entrepreneur, plus some tips on how to find one.
4. Engage in online forums and groups:
Whether on LinkedIn, Facebook, or an industry-specific platform, there are many ways to connect online. By actively engaging with other people’s posts and comments and sharing your own ideas, you connect with entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and industries.
5. Attend conferences and workshops
This can be particularly helpful if you choose ones outside of or adjacent to your industry. In doing so, you’re exposed to new insights and ideas that can inspire and boost creativity.
6. Read books and articles
The benefits of reading for any professional can’t be overstated. But gaining information and different perspectives from a variety of sources can greatly help entrepreneurs. You’ll broaden your horizons and learn a thing or two! If you prefer to listen, you can also check out these great podcasts for professionals.
7. Collaborate with individuals and businesses outside of your industry
Collaboration is always an excellent way to bring fresh ideas to your business. Doing so with people outside your industry is even more innovative and exciting.
8. Practice active listening and seek out feedback
When in conversation with individuals from different backgrounds or perspectives, actively listen and seek feedback. Welcome challenges to your own assumptions and be open to changing your way of thinking.
9. Talk to everyone
Honing your small talk skills can do wonders for expanding your mind and experiencing new perspectives. And this isn’t just limited to your professional context or networking events. Instead, talk to everyone — your neighbor, barista, friend-of-a-friend, or other dog owners at the park.
10. Take a class or other PD opportunity
Another great way to expand your perspectives is by getting some more education, whether in your industry or another one. It may have been a while since your last formal program or course, and you may enjoy learning something new and having your ideas challenged. You can check out these low-cost learning platforms for some ideas.
Being self-employed can be exciting, especially if you’re working on a business or project you’re passionate about. But there’s a danger in working alone, as your limited interaction with outside input can put you in the proverbial echo chamber.
Luckily, it’s not that hard to break out! Try one or a few of these ten ideas to build more connections, learn more perspectives, and increase your creativity and innovation.
If you’re looking for a supportive professional community and workspace where you can grow your business, book a tour of The Post today.