its what you do with them that counts

I use Linkedin and other social networking tools like twitter a lot in my business. I have always found social media fascinating and like to watch as new things emerge.  Over the last few years Linkedin has become a tool I really value.  It helps me connect with some of the 100 million or so people that work in this country, and even folks all over the world. I like this tool, it has some magic in it. In fact, I more than like it - I may love it a little.

I make friends, associates, and money with Linkedin, and I have wracked my brain to learn the best ways to utilize it in my day, while working vigorously to grow my network.  Its crazy, but some people actually tell people to connect with me.  (Thanks, Dave!)

When Linkedin announced the new "corporate recruiting solution" it took me aback for a few minutes.  Corporate recruiters who partake can now have access to all 20+ million Linkedin members (members that are present in part because of promiscuous open networkers, of which I am am proud to count myself) without adding any contacts of their own.  Sort of a pay to play solution, which removes the necessity of putting networking skin in the game.  It almost felt like a betrayal to me, and I saw some other third-party brethren get really pissed off about it.  

But really, when you think about it, we never own our contacts, for crying out loud.  Listing them in Linkedin doesn't make them "ours" and would never prevent someone else from talking to them.  Our contacts are human beings with self determination and lives of their own.  Even if I had my list of contacts locked up in a drawer, it wouldn't prevent someone else from calling them. I was once asked if it made me uneasy being such an open networker because other people could call my contacts, and I answered, "If another recruiter had a great position for one of the thousands of people in my first-level connections then what kind of a networking contact would I be if I stood in their way?"  Bring it, baby.  The point is to help everyone be more successful, not try to keep all the success making stuff for ourselves.  Plus, as any veteran recruiter will tell you, it is not just having the names of people - the approach matters.   

I use the same reasoning when I share knowledge with people instead of hoarding it - information wants to be free, and flow to as many people as possible.  Learning and innovation can only happen an environment where sharing happens, and the more I teach people my "special tricks" the more I keep on learning.  Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.

So welcome to the family, paying corporate recruiters.  C'mon in, the networking is fine!  I wish you well and if I can assist you in any way, please don't hesitate to call.

....and hey, if you need any outside help on leadership or high impact positions in Technology Human Resources, or Operations, well, you'll know how to find me, I am probably in your network.