Connections and Getting Connected

Photo Credit: Flickr.com

Among the many joys of our web 2.0 technologies is an incredible professional networking site called  Linked In. For those not familiar with linked in, let me help!

I have had a Linked In account for several years now but until recently did not recognize its power--power that has certainly been enhanced through the capability of web 2.0. The basic premise of Linked In is to provide a professional networking platform that has some degree of exclusivity (you cannot link with someone you do not know for example), an opportunity for members to interact with each other, a credible job site, and most importantly allow those with similar interests to participate in discussion threads on any number of topics that include participants quite literally from all over the globe.

Joining groups within Linked In allows one to align themselves with people within the same industry; some located just next door, others more than half a world away. The opportunity to gain insight into best practices in industries from neurosurgery to marketing to higher education is simply enormous. On the other side of the coin, it can be quite easy to get "sucked in" to a discussion thread and the debate can be quite heated. I have witnessed alleged professionals make some very unprofessional statements on what are supposed to be professional groups with limited membership. I have also had the dubious honor of being personally insulted by a fellow commenter! Perhaps that might be the mark of a virgin in this virtual reality. Unless you have been officially and personally insulted, you really aren't linked!

Fortunately group members exist to "police" the conversation, but given that some threads can generate more than 2000 comments, it can be difficult to stay vigilant against those who would cause harm. After following a particular thread for the past week that generates an average of 50 comments per day, I am mystified, stupefied and down right brain-fried! The thread related to the weight that should be given a lie in the hiring process on the part of the applicant.

2200 comments later, people are bickering back and forth about topics like "the nature of a lie" and "when a lie doesn't really count". Many think the lie is a predictor of future performance, the rest say the latter have no heart. Which is the correct view? While I don't know the answer, there are 100's of people on Linked In that do!!!

Take my advice, Get Linked!!