You know that dream where you’re in an important meeting and everyone else has clothes on? (Please, chime in with assent as I feel very vulnerable having just shared that with you.) Phew! Pleased to hear I’m not the sole neurotic in the on-line community.
In their ground-breaking blog and book on connecting via social media, authors Robert Scoble and Shel Israel describe blogging as “Naked Conversations“. They equate the open, transparent connection between bloggers and their readers as the equivalent to conversing naked. (Just this week Israel launched a new book – “Twitterville“).
The concept of “naked” extends across all aspects of social media. And yes, a company needs to open up when engaging in social media.
But recently I’ve had to take my own advice (gulp).
A company I have long admired has a need for someone with skills like mine for a role here in Sydney. And while I enjoy running my own business, I believe if a role interests you it makes sense to pursue the spot.
Yet I’ve also been an advocate of life on-line. WallyDownUndy has been running for two years. I have my high school and college friends, along with relatives and close friends, all on Facebook. I Tweet, Therefore I am (http://twitter.com/PercepCounsel). And I share all my presentations on SlideShare.
So when I was asked to provide a CV (or résumé in America) I hesitated. A CV seemed so…2001. Instead I made sure my profile on LinkedIn was up-to-date, and I asked past colleagues and managers to provide references. In my discussion with senior professionals from the company yesterday, I was extremely relieved to hear one had reviewed me on LinkedIn.
It takes courage to live your life on-line and to provide your past in an open forum. Much like the dream, if you’re afraid when you dream of being naked it means you have something to hide. If you dream of being naked and no one else notices it means your fears are unfounded. Better yet – if you dream you’re naked and you’re quite proud of the fact it means you have nothing to hide:
“You have nothing to hide and are proud of who you are. The dream is about a new sense of honesty, openness, and a carefree nature.” (Source: DreamMoods.com)
Now if you’ll excuse me I must get back to that dream…
3 responses so far ↓
Kim Seeling Smith // Aug 27th 2009 at 8:36 am
Awesome post! Well written and so, so true!!!! Which reminds me… I need to come out from behind my website and update my own blog.
Can’t wait to catch up Monday to hear “the rest of the story”.
Kim Seeling Smith // Aug 27th 2009 at 8:37 am
BTW, I tweeted to Robert Scoble during the last SXSWi that he was “kinda hot” and I just noticed he kept it in his favourites…yes, when you live your life online you truly are exposed for all the world to see.
Vrishali Mammen // May 31st 2011 at 8:53 pm
I like this post very much. I will certainly be back. Hope that I will be able to read more informative posts then. Will be sharing your wisdom with all of my friends!
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