In the pretense of living in the now, it is not that uncommon for both people and business to overlook the manner in which they are able to affect things on the global stage. The connection culture of today, brings with it, an ever greater demand for accountability.

Accountability is one of “those things”. It is a tenet which is (hopefully) acquired at some stage in a person’s life, and (again,hopefully) as they grow, and the scope of the world in which they live enlarges, it scales. If it does not, you really could see some larger scale problems arise.

In his blog today, Seth Godin writes on going Beyond  Geography.  A lot of us who are connected to Seth via his groups: Triiibes, Linchpins or Krypton College, have been watching him expand the scope of his work, and are finding it a large and scalable resource in the building of our own projects.

Something many do not know about my work (I am a surf photographer right?) is that due to my connection to our world, and manner that I experience it, that I am frequently asked to engage in organizational development for scalable concept Companies and Organizations.

Recently, after a number of things came to light in a project which I was heavily invested in over a period close to two years, and just as it appeared I had brought funding and some needed structure to the company, I resigned. Why? Accountability. Whose? My own. I could no longer be on “that team” and do what they needed me to do. So I left. The act of doing so of course, is like tearing a piece out of one’s life. But when that portion threatens to corrupt the whole, we must make a choice.

Right now I am involved in the development of a total of six, large concept, scalable companies in my work.

One which I am Co Founder of, is the Oceanlovers Collective, which is a concept company designed to connect people who love and know the Ocean, to a world which does not have the first hand understanding which the Ocean Tribe possesses.

The idea behind the company, is to develop Ocean themed media and products which reflect the Authenticity of the Tribe members, and convert both the intellectual property and any profit into benefit, for Change Agents around the world. Oceanlovers is a connector.

The other projects range in interest from benefit driven Non Profits, Technology based solutions for Global Scale Environmental challenges, to product based Companies who want to increase their level of connection and authenticity, as they pursue market traction and growth.

Of course in between all of this, lies my ongoing Editorial work, as well as my work with Corbis Images.

In each and every one of these projects, the most recurrent themes are Accountability and Authenticity.

Because without those two things as siblings, nothing scales correctly.

It is frequently said that a picture is worth a  thousand words. Indeed. I frequently state in public speaking forums “A Photo can tell a thousand lies. Wouldn’t you rather it communicate some Truth?”

For an Artist, indeed for all who choose to communicate the creativity which love causes to flow through us in our work, it is our own hearts which we must diligently watch over.

It is illustrated to me repeatedly in all these things, that it is a battlefield out there.

The best that we can do is to not become a victim of that.

Accountability is our shield.

Aloha nui loa.