It is very important to keep up with the times. Being defensive with another group, class, or category is an old-school behaviour that fits more in colonial times.
Nowadays, we are increasingly open to the unknown and this is very good. In the 60’s we already understood how to make love and not war. Are we still on the right track?
In the beginning, LinkedIn started with the principle that you should only connect with the people that you know. I believe it’s time to get rid of this old-fashioned principle. Here is why.
➤ You: “Hi Manager at BIG COMPANY, I am incredibly motivated to work for your company, could you refer me to someone you know?”
➤ The Manager on LinkedIn that you don’t know: “I am sorry, I don’t know you, so I cannot help you.”
What happens to the manager with a closed-door when he/she himself/herself will be looking for a job?
The following is shocking!
We are observing that people with higher positions are 10-15% more likely to get accepted when they invite new people.
Even much more shocking is our observation that people with unfamiliar names are 10-15% less likely to get accepted when they invite new people.
So the principle should be: “I only connect with people I know and with people that have an interesting position or a familiar last name.”
Besides that, people tend to be much more aggressive in comments and messages Online than in real life. Like in traffic. It seems that when there is an observable distance in between, people change their attitude in an aggressive or defensive way. Why is that?
Also, people don’t seem to realize that, on LinkedIn, you don’t only represent yourself. You represent the company you work for.
So what are we going to do about that? How do you act in real life?
➤ You: “Hey man, do you know the way to the supermarket.”
➤ The Other: “Sorry dude, I don’t know you.”
➤ You: “Hey man, enjoy your holidays in India and especially the food!”
➤ The Other: “Sorry dude, I don’t know Indian food so I’m not gonna eat it.”
➤ You: “Hey man, so great that you go to Australia, especially the backpacking scene is amazing!”
➤ The Other: “Sorry dude, I don’t know these people so no-way I am going to speak to them.”
Last but not least: How do you network if you don’t want to talk to people you don’t know?
I am not saying that you are obligated to accept and be friends with every single person on the web. I am just asking to reconsider your principles. Maybe a new connection just wants to ask for your help. Be open to that, like you would be on the street. When you give you shall receive.
It all begins with your attitude:
Make Love, not war ✌
