Before Facebook, my friends and I were all on LiveJournal. That was where we’d post updates or pose questions of each other. In 2002 (an eon ago in Web terms), a friend posted:
remember.. when you and your friends were all talking about the future or whatever.. and everyone was trying to be all insightful.. so your friend asks..
If you could have/experience the one thing you most wanted to in all the world.. would you want to.. if you couldnt tell anyone.
Im just curious.. how many people out there would actually.. REALLY wanna do it? After alot of thought.. I have decided that I would.. if it was absolutely the one thing I most wanted in all the world.
I still recall: I didn’t even hesitate on my response:
I don’t think I would. It might be my ego talking, I want to share my experiences. But also I think if it is the most important thing in the world to you, it’s going to have a profound impact on your life. People may notice you’re different, and it would be extremely hard not to tell, because the event would have altered your entire life and views. I think it would be impossible…
I smile to look back now: as LiveJournal was truly a place for me to write to share my feelings and emotions, so dramatically different than this blog.
I was thinking of this recently with regard to Intellectual property, online disclosure and thought leadership. Years ago I stated that I felt compelled to share my experiences, and I believe that’s why I “play” in the social media world. I love to educate and share with others. When I worked at Resource Interactive, our CXO wrote a book about the strategic framework that guided our work. She put it out there for all to see, and yes, perhaps to copy. But it was clearly a demonstration of the thought leadership at the agency.
The question my friend posted 7 years ago was hypothetical, and assumed you couldn’t share your experience. But when you create or discover, you have the choice to share that knowledge with others.
People want to work with smart people. What are you gaining by hiding your smarts?
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