There’s a story told by Sylvie Fortin in one of her recordings, can’t remember which, about this lady. She (the lady not Sylvie) is one of the most difficult people to travel in a car with. You know, the type who releases her frustrations verbally on other drivers.
One day, while driving to a job interview for a job she’s really had her eye on, she got into a bit of a huff and mouthed off something rude and unkind to an elderly lady. She got to the office and waited her turn for the interview. After waiting a while, she was called in. Who was sitting in the interviewer’s chair but that same elderly lady. Oops.
This is the way I see it with social networks too. If you’re the type who does business behind a facade, it’ll catch up with you because it is becoming harder and harder to do so as the day goes by with so many networks around. Networks work both ways. If it can help your business or reputation, it can also ruin it.
This to me became very apparent on Twitter particularly this year and I don’t have to tell you why. I saw the real person behind the people I associate with. Some were so gracious and level headed I loved them more. Others were just vicious that now I think twice about working with them.
I come from a country where if you’re not careful, what you say or blog about can land you in jail and no matter how unpleasant a US jail is, it is cushy compared to others. So I am very thankful that I don’t have to do that anymore and respect everyone’s views.
But there is a point where opinions become attacks. It is OK to express an opinion but when you start calling those who have a different opinion names… how do you know that person is not me, or a potential customer, sponsor or JV partner? You don’t.
Something to think about.
