LinkedIn with a purpose

It's rare right now to read a business-related article without hearing some mention of social networks. (Here's an interesting one from Fast Company about Audi.)  Businesses are struggling to use these networks effectively. Individual people are still experimenting with them for their own professional advancement.
At first I was skeptical of LinkedIn.  "What the heck are we going to use this for?" But as my network has grown and as my valuation of my business contacts has increased, I've found a lot of use in this third social network.  Here are tips on how I am benefiting from LinkedIn.

Keep your network meaningful
On Facebook, I'll only add someone as a friend if I would feel comfortable talking with them about what my kids are going to be doing this weekend.  On LinkedIn, I'll only add someone

You're so lucky!

Let me introduce you to one of my best friends and one of my favorite people in the world, Drew Danburry.

Drew has done what most musicians fantasize about.  He has played on stages across the US and around Europe.  As a folk musician that funded his dream by making connections on MySpace and then playing shows in every venue, house or dorm hall that he could get into, Drew made fans everywhere he went.  Drew is self taught on the guitar, keytar, and accordian.  He has never taken voice lessons, although he has been told several times that he should. 

But you can't do that!
He has recorded albums and given them away.  He has driven around the country in a car that shouldn't be trusted at freeway speeds. He has been an example to me of not preparing for the future at the expense of the present.  (Or like one of my other heroes once said, "Consider the lilies of the field...)

"You're so lucky!"
In the midst of Drew's adventures, he frequently heard people tell him how lucky he was. Obviously his life was good: traveling , playing in front of fans,

Who can you trust?

It can be a tough thing to pursue a big dream.  There's always risk involved: risk of giving up a typical career, risk of looking silly when your dream doesn't work out, risk of dying alone and destitute when society shuns you for your unappreciated perspective.

We're social creatures.  In every aspect of our lives, in one way or another, we crave validation.  We want to feel like what we think and do is normal, or okay, or appreciated, or innovative.  As much as we might like to think that we are each individual islands, we all need some kind of recognition.  Where we go for this validation has a big impact on who we become.

You Can't Please Everyone
Some people require validation from the masses.  Some people are only comfortable when a majority of their acquaintances approve of their choices. Remember, though, that appealing to the largest group is how we got Jersey Shore, American Idol and

Are you comfortable with what you have?

Last week I met with a very good electrical engineer that had a good grasp of his project and a plan for completion. He spoke about some new equipment that would be very helpful in finishing his tests. Once he decided what he wanted, he was leaving it to someone else in the group to request the funds. "I don't get into that..." he said, making clear his discomfort when talking about money.

I wished that he would get into that,

When I Grow Up

I frequently ask what people what to be when they grow up.  I've been surprised to learn over the years that VERY FEW people are able to give a specific answer for what they want to do.  All this time I thought it was just me...

Images copyright Ambrose Portraits 2011.  Used with permission.

 

My Career Options
So, I may have mentioned this before: I don't really know what I want to do when I grow up.  A technical sales person? A photographer? A travel guide? A comic book writer?  A hit man?  These are all