🔍 Your Quick Guide To Getting Onto Wikipedia

​Hey Reader,​

Ever wondered what it takes to get an article published on Wikipedia? I just managed it with the biography of Henry Neave (statistician and author of The Deming Dimension) - but not without a plot twist!

Here’s what I learned from my journey that might help you:

First attempt? Rejected! 🚫

Even with detailed research and careful writing, my initial submission didn’t make the cut. Wikipedia’s editors were clear: we needed stronger evidence of “notability” (their favorite word!).

The breakthrough moment? 🌟

Instead of giving up, I dug deeper. Turned out, Neave’s Deming Medal was the key that unlocked everything. It’s a prestigious award that proved his significance to the Wikipedia community.

Here’s your quick guide to Wikipedia success:

1. Start with solid sources: Everything needs to be verifiable through reliable, independent sources. Books, academic papers, and reputable news articles are your best friends here.
2. Understand “notability”: Your subject needs to have made a significant impact that’s documented by others. Awards, major publications, or historical significance - these are your golden tickets.
3. Be ready to pivot: If your first attempt fails, don’t get discouraged. Often, it’s not about writing better - it’s about finding stronger evidence of impact.
4. Engage with the editors: The Wikipedia community can seem tough, but they’re actually helping maintain quality. I had constructive conversations that helped me understand exactly what they needed.

Why does this matter? 🤔

Getting published on Wikipedia isn’t just about adding to the world’s knowledge base - it’s about persistence, strategic thinking, and turning feedback into action. Sound familiar? These are the same skills that make us better leaders.

Currently, I’m taking this persistence further by converting Neave’s 12 Days to Deming course into an interactive website. Because sometimes, one win opens the door to even bigger opportunities.

Keep building, Lee

P.S. If you’re curious about Henry Neave’s work or want to check out the article, you can find it on Wikipedia now!