Ego And Web 2.0
by Miki SaxonI had (what to me) was amazing news this weekend.
Leadership Turn is listed as one of Strategic Strategist’s 2009 Top Business Blogs. It not only made the list, but is number 16, just two places behind Guy Kawasaki.
I’m unfamiliar with Strategic Strategist and have no idea what, if anything, this means, but still! So I told some friends and my b5 cohorts and received some very nice congratulatory emails telling me that I deserved it, etc. Fun!
But it got me to thinking once again that I just don’t have the ego for the networked, self-promoted, memememe world I live in.
It’s not that I don’t believe I have a lot to offer.
I think I’m a hell of a writer and that what I say has value, whether it’s of direct use or stimulates new thought paths.
To be honest, I’m often blown away when I read old posts here or at MAPping Company Success and realize I wrote them. The same goes for my book, The Swamp & the Alligators: a slightly irreverent guide to career planning and the search process. It’s 16 years old now and it’s still on Amazon.
I know my coaching is valuable and that it’s unique; it takes a different approach from much of the other coaching available.
But I’m always a bit amazed when others see its value.
Believe me, it’s not humility or any of those supposedly noble feelings. It’s just that it surprises me when the outside world agrees with me.
As my readers know, I’m very opinionated, but that doesn’t mean I assume or expect anyone else to agree—in spite of the law of averages saying that some will.
I’m lousy at “working the room,” whether in the real or cyber world.
Back when I attended parties I would hang out helping in the kitchen and over the course of the evening most of the interesting people would wander in and end up staying for the kind of conversation you can sink your teeth into (I’ve always been lousy at small talk).
I seem to do cyberspace the same way.
And, I’m grateful to say, the interesting people keep wandering in and staying to talk.
Your comments—priceless
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Image credit: Daniel F. Pigatto on flickr
June 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Dear Miki,
I am the founder of Strategist News. Frankly, I am relatively new to this game and I am probably lousy at “working the room” as well.
Let me tell you a bit about our website and this ranking. We got together as a group of business professionals (mostly strategy consultants, i-bankers and brand managers), and decided to establish a website to share good business writing that we all enjoy.
We wanted to start that with building a ranking of blogs that we enjoy reading the most.
Your blog made the cut, because a lot of our members seem to enjoy it.
I personally enjoy your writing and have been following it for a while now. Your following probably isn’t as big as Guy’s (yet), but my guess is it’s probably a much more selective audience.
Hope to keep in touch.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Hi John, how utterly cool that you took time to reply and tell us about Strategist News. In all honesty, if my ranking had been higher than Guy’s I would have know it was hoax, but being in 16th place still blew me away.
I cruised around the business section of your site and can honestly say that it looks like an excellent source for news articles. I recommend it for those short of time and patience.
Thanks again for stoping by!
June 15th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Congratulations Miki. I am often surprised by the same things you are. I believe I am a strong writer as well, but always surprised when people like what I have said and believe it is of value.
One of the things I like about your blog is not only your insight, but that you always respond to comments. You have a great blog and deserve the award.
June 15th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Wow, Mike, thanks so much for the words of praise.
I’ve had others mention my responding. I had an email from a reader a while back asking how I motivated myself to write every day when I had no comments.
Part of what I told him was that every day is a new post and another chance to I have a conversation, which I thought was the whole point of blogging.
I find it hard to believe that bloggers DON’T respond.
June 15th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
You are welcome Miki. And I agree!
I love the whole concept of blogging. I just started getting more and more comments on my blog, and I respond to everyone of them as well. I actually enjoy it. I also learn a great deal in the process.
Thanks again Miki!
June 15th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Bet you get more than I:) And more to the tenth power than I get on my other blog, http://www.MAPpingCompanySuccess.com.
And how else does one learn except by hearing other people’s thoughts and ideas?
June 15th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Congratulations Miki!
I really like the way you described yourself, and the idea of you being in the kitchen having a meaningful conversation rings true for me. I like that you are not afraid to share your opinions, and I always appreciate your comments on my posts. If I don’t respond, it’s only because I am speechless. I always end up thinking about your comments for days, hashing through them with my colleagues.
June 15th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Becky, you take time to leave more comments than most of my readers. But that doesn’t matter if they take away stuff that makes them think. Not think like me, just think:) So if what I write stimulates conversation, that’s great!
June 16th, 2009 at 5:37 am
Hey Miki,
It sounds like you’re an introvert. Big deal, most creative people and thinkers are as well. So you won’t ever be mega famous.
You’d hate fame, anyway. You’d have too many comments and tweets to be able to reply to them all!
June 16th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Congratulations! – It is richly deserved.
And forget the ‘noble’ crap – I envy your writng
Best Regards!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:41 am
Hi Noah, I’m not an introvert, at least not in Meyer-Briggs terms. I’ve always tested extrovert, but that’s as much about how your mind works and how you recharge. People laugh when I say I’m shy, because I’m gregarious. (Actually, I’m just weird:)
I wouldn’t mind a bit of fame. The comments are fun and I don’t tweet anyway.
That’s a wild site you have, Anyone with a few minutes should take a look. WOW!
June 16th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hi Elliot, long time, I’ve missed you. Thanks for the great compliment. And don’t worry, I’m not into that ‘noble crap’:)
June 17th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Thank you Miki – the last month has been difficult – the “standard” elderly parents and hospitals type of thing
Age just leaps up at us!
Best Regards
June 17th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I don’t believe that there is anything ‘standard’ when dealing with life happenings. Especially those involving multiple MAP and not always with the same goal in mind.
Hang in there, Elliot. Having been there/done that I can guarantee that, one way or another, Life goes on. I wish you peace.