Let The Magic Loose - @CompassionateWS

A couple of months ago my friend, Cyndi Briggs, introduced me to the concept of Social Capital. Tonight the magic of Social Capital changed me. (Tweet THIS!)

Social Capital has to do with the people, actions, attitudes, environments and processes that make up our community. In varied ways, the contributions of individuals aggregate to create this Social Capital.

Magically, when it all gets together the whole is more than the sum of the parts. It’s magic, really.  

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Real. Everyday. Magic

.Just like fantasy magic there is good magic and bad magic with Social Capital – depending on the parts. Sometimes communities get capitalized (Socially) in a way that makes for nasty places to live. Fortunately, I’m living in a place where magic is good – not perfect but perfect might just be coming closer.

Enter Compassionate Winston-Salem. 

I was invited to a gathering tonight of @CompassionateWS where some individuals (a pretty diverse group of people) sat around a table and wrote love letters – to unknown, unidentified strangers. The letters will be used next month during a Compassionate Cities emphasis. Good idea. Yet, tonight was very personal. 

I spent about an hour hand writing love notes for random people. I wrote poetry, pithy sayings, reminders for self-care and self-acceptance – all targeted at imagined people. I wrote each note, casually imagining the manner of person that might find the note or the situation in which it would be read. Would a homeless person stumble upon it and find the energy to try one more day? Could a stressed-out business executive find it and in reading it receive a small reprieve? Would a worried mother or challenged dad get a leg-up from the pause and reflection the note offered them? As I imagined these possibilities a strange, magical thing happened. I felt better. I connected with a larger hope. The love letters, yet ungiven and unfound, became love letters for me. 

I laughed. I joked. I smiled big goofy smiles and made heart shapes with my fingers. I drew love hearts and overused exclamation marks!!!! 

One person there said, “I feel like I’ve bonded with you people and I don’t even know you.” 

I left with some new friendships, a renewed spring in my step and delightful anticipation of the times when these notes will be read…which I can’t tell you about. It’s a secret. All magic is.

 

LinkedIn or Locked Out! I'm Donating Some Time

Through the Local Goodwill, I'm helping some folks "Make Over" their LinkedIn presence. LinkedIn, the most accepted social media platform for online professionals, is becoming critical to networking online and connecting with people offline. 

In my day job, I train sales professionals to use LinkedIn strategically in an ever growing online driven world. Networking in 2013 isn't complete without an online component.

So, on August 20th, I'm volunteering some of my time to work with Goodwill of Northwest North Carolina to offer a hands on LinkedIn Profile makeover workshop. The workshop will be followed by a Head-shot photo session. 

For Questions please contact:

Sandy Jolley: sjolley@goodwillnwnc.org or Tempy Albright: talbright@goodwillnwnc.org

4 Tired Titles for LinkedIn Profiles

They’re everywhere. My LinkedIn feeds are overflowing with people, previously normal professionals, striking out to impress others by changing their titles to previously obscure and now overused terms. The use of these Super Titles is spreading like a bad cold. Stop it! Please! In an effort to call for change, I've scooped several of the top offenders from the pile and here are 4 overused and painful titles.

Sensi – Bless you! This term is Japanese in origin and refers historically to a martial arts instructor. So, unless you have martial arts training in your profession. Let’s chop (karate reference, get it?) it out! You are essentially calling yourself an expert (see below) instructor.

Guru – I thought this one had gone the way of Pet Rocks. Again, a reference that was historically tied to a spiritual tradition that has been stripped of its value by being applied to marketing, sales, accounting and the like. Consider the cosmic advantage of dropping this one. All together now...ohmnnnn.

Sherpa – I get it. It's cute. You get to be important while claiming the lesser, more humble status of a servant. Sherpa does have servant leader all over it, and it is all over LinkedIn. It was novel the first few thousand times, but now it just doesn't seem creative and is confusing to those who have never climbed a Tibetan mountain. Besides, Sherpa technically refers to an ethnic group in Nepal.

Expert - Really?! If I have to tell you I'm an expert, one of us isn't capable of knowing the difference. Either way, its insulting. Let people determine your level of proficiency themselves. Show them your competencies in your work, projects, accomplishments. If nothing else, let your endorsements speak for you. Endorsements are certainly easy enough to get!

Enough with the glamour titles. How about just saying it like you are and letting people decide for themselves. After all, would you rather do business with an established Director of Marketing or a self appointed Marketing Maven?