Have you ever heard of the Working Out Loud (WOL) method? If not, you should change that as soon as possible — because the Working Out Loud method could revolutionize the way you work.

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Working Out Loud focuses on sharing knowledge, productive collaboration and personal development. This work concept is therefore just the right thing for teams with different skills and interests.

What is Working Out Loud?

The Working Out Loud method was first mentioned in 2010 by Bryce Williams and then developed by John Stepper. Both worked in large companies for many years and recognized the potential of transparent and collaborative work. Inspired by principles of open collaboration and the desire to break traditional work structures, the Working Out Loud method was created.

But what exactly does Working Out Loud mean?

Imagine working on a project and regularly sharing your progress, challenges, and successes with your network. By talking openly about your work, you make your processes transparent and open the door for feedback, support, and new ideas.

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Sharing knowledge is of central importance at WOL. By documenting, making your knowledge visible and actively reporting on it, you create a transparent and collaborative work culture.

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Stepper has the principles and practices of WOL in his book”Working Out Loud: For a Better Career and Life“described in detail and thus laid the basis for a growing global community that successfully applies this strategy.

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To work with the Working Out Loud method, there are so-called WOL Circles all over the world. Working Out Loud is based on four basic principles:

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1. Relationships: You identify people who can help you along the way This could be colleagues, experts from other departments, or even external contacts.
2. Generosity: Not only do you share your own progress, but you also share helpful information and support with your network. Give and take is the motto here.
3. Purposeful Discovery: As a member of the WOL Circle, you work towards your own goal, but the teams support each other in discovering the best ways to achieve your goal.
4. Growth Mindset: During the process, you regularly reflect on your progress and learn more continuously. This helps you to achieve your goals more efficiently and to develop yourself personally.

Working Out Loud example

The Working Out Loud method is now an integral part of the work culture in many companies. Bosch provides an impressive example of Working Out Loud.

With the Working Out Loud method, Bosch wants to bring together expertise and talent to better share knowledge within the company. But the technology giant is not alone in this. In order to address complex tasks more efficiently, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz have now launched a cross-company Working Out Loud conference, the so-called WOLCON.

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In this conference, the two companies brought together around 400 employees to strengthen the innovative strength of both companies. The positive response and the noticeable progress are a good example of how effective Working Out Loud can be in a large company.

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In order to make planning a Working Out Loud Circle more efficient, the desk sharing software is Flexopus Just the right tool. Because that's how you and your colleagues can easily reserve meeting rooms for your Circle — this guarantees that all members stay on track.

What are the benefits of the Working Out Loud method?

Working Out Loud promotes an open and transparent way of working that Strengthening knowledge sharing and collaboration. WOL is an important tool, especially in companies, because the active integration of the method helps to ensure that knowledge not only remains in the minds of individual employees, but is also shared transparently. This results in a optimized knowledge management and ensures that important information and skills are available to everyone.

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Also for the personal development For team members, the Working Out Loud method is perfect. It helps you to get a strong professional network build by regularly sharing your progress and challenges. Thanks to the clear structure and regular reflection, you can systematically achieve your goals and continuously develop yourself.

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WOL also strengthens the A sense of belonging and motivation within the team, as all members actively contribute to the group's success. The method also supports the continuing professional development of all participants, as knowledge and feedback are constantly shared.

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Ultimately, Working Out Loud helps both employees and companies to tap into innovation potential and find creative solutionsby creating a space for the free exchange of ideas.

Working Out Loud review

Even though the Working Out Loud method offers many advantages, there are some points of criticism. Unfortunately, in today's working world, it is not necessarily easy to take full advantage of Working Out Loud. The concept may be less suitable for some companies for the following reasons:

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• Time spent: Regular meetings and tasks require a considerable amount of time, which can be difficult to accommodate in already busy work schedules. Nowadays, it is almost impossible to reconcile the plans of five people so that they can meet weekly for three months.
• engagement: The method requires a high level of commitment and initiative. If members are not fully involved, this can have a negative impact on the entire process and motivation of the group.
• confidentiality: Sharing information and progress openly can be problematic in certain professional contexts, particularly when sensitive or confidential data is involved.
• group dynamics: The success of a WOL Circle depends heavily on group dynamics. Disagreements or lack of harmony within the group can interfere with the process.
• Focus on results: Critics complain that the method is too focused on the process and less on concrete results.
• Cultural dependency: In companies with traditional hierarchies and less open cultures, implementing WOL can be difficult, as the Working Out Loud method is based on transparency and flat hierarchies.

How do I find a Working Out Loud Circle?

The Working Out Loud Circle is, so to speak, the heart of the method. This circle consists of a small group that meets regularly to work together on individual goals and to support each other. Traditionally, a Circle includes 12 weeks, during which there is a 60-minute meeting every week to bring all employees within the Circle up to date.

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Working Out Loud in a group is particularly effective when you set yourself a clear goal and reflect on your progress on a weekly basis. Valuable feedback from other group members will help you develop along the way.

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Finding a circle is easier than you might think. Because Working Out Loud Circles already exist in more than 20 countries worldwide. You can ask your company about existing Working Out Loud Circles, use professional networks such as LinkedIn, join the global WOL community, or create a Circle yourself. There is also an official WOL Circle Guide to help you structure the process.

Synopsis

The Working Out Loud method offers an innovative and effective way to promote collaboration and personal development. Through transparency, regular exchange and sharing of knowledge, WOL not only strengthens individual skills, but also the entire team.

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If you're looking for a hands-on and structured way to achieve goals and build relationships, finding a Working Out Loud Circle is definitely worth a try.