Personal Business

This week began with a warm reception to my introduction on ABestWeb, got fun when Vincent Wright LOL’ed on My Linkedin Power Forum, became flattering when Carter Smith marked my Linkedin answer as best in thread, and turned downright inspired when Jason Alba reconfigured the way I think about the web.

I grew up on computers, playing Gertrude’s Secret before I could read and editing autoexec.bat files before I could do long division, but I was slow to use email and instant messenger. I barely messed around with AOL during its hey-day, didn’t grow up checking a particular forum or chat room, and got closest to blogging by reading articles.

But something changed over the summer. I was working on TableToss, and despite success, for reasons that I’ll write about here more in the future, it was clear I needed something new. I began building up my Linkedin profile, inviting friends an coworkers (and getting flagged at one point by loose connections who didn’t recognize me). It was slow-going hitting that 50 contact mark, but then things started to change. Here and there, people began to invite me; I got a recommendation from a former manager and then an interview at an awesome company from a Linkedin posting.

Although the position I chose came via a recruiter finding my profile on Career Builder, the momentum continued. What started as adding a connection or two a week turned into adding just about everyone at my office. I began answering Linkedin questions and asking them. Cross-over began with Facebook.

And then there was a week like this one where people really began responding. Admittedly, my conversation with Jason Alba began with an email, then phone call, but I commented on his blog and then followed him on Twitter. I finally noticed him posting on MyLinkedinPowerForum. It was a cross-media, cross-platform conversation occurring at a number of different levels.

I am sure the psychology of why I want to be recognized online runs deep, but this process of WEB CONNECTION is very exciting to me.

Like many people I am finding here, not only is it fun, but it’s good business. The connections we are making help us in business. Yes, some people get more immediate business benefit than others. But connecting is an absolute good, and we can make of it what we want.

My eyes are opened. I’m excited to see where this online journey takes me.

On his MyLinkedInPowerForum, Vincent Wright wrote:

“While I’m not quite finished deciding my change in Linkedin philosophy
and while I’d love to stick as close as possible to Linkedin’s
original concept, I’m considering a major change in my approach to
using Linkedin for business purposes.”

Now that’s what I call suspense. I knew Vincent was a networking maven but a master-Thriller novelist as well? Since the Giants playoff game, this is by far the most anxiety I’ve felt to know the result of something. I first joined MyLinkedinPowerForum as a venue for networking and perhaps even working a few biz dev deals, but it’s become something much greater:

Soap Opera! Thriller! Linkedin episode of Lost!

Vincent, I wouldn’t hold it past you to intend such an emotional reaction in me, but I just can’t believe a Linkedin-related post could get me so worked up. I really, really want to know what your change in philosophy is. I’m probably far too new and Cycle 2 (See Dawn’s response: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MyLinkedinPowerForum/message/34124) to understand, but I’m hungry for the info.

Wow, online networking is entertaining. Do we get residuals?

At Morgan Stanley, my claim to fame was doing calisthenics in the office, jumping jacks, tuck-and-rolls, even a headstand one conference room birthday celebration. At Register.com, I fist pump during promising biz dev calls and shout the wrong lyrics to songs across the office.

Am I self-sabotaging or improving morale? Clearly, I’d prefer to think the latter, but the first question is the one I think more professionals struggle with. Can I really just be myself at work? Can I express my emotions, be “out there,” and still be taken seriously.

I believe the answer is yes, but it’s a delicate balance between self-expression and professional demeanor. My personal rule for sharing my true self: keep it positive.

People respond to emotion. Even in a business setting, as much as we try to insulate ourselves against others’ ups and down, it sticks. During the work day, our input filters are working hard; we only take in the very narrowest amount of stimulus. The vast majority of the noises, fine print, overheard conversations that wash over us do not penetrate our conscious attention but do nonetheless affect us. So if I’m going to draw attention to myself and penetrate my coworkers’ filters, I want that impression to be a positive one.

Is Office Me Real Me? Probably not. I choose my moments and pay attention to my surroundings to know when to tone it down. But I like to get pumped up, and life’s too short not to share the love. My advice: go for that tuck-and-roll.