Can we fix linked-in by doing this?

If you spend any amount of time on linked in or on the other big social sites you have probably noticed this. If you watch the news you have seen it too. If you have stepped out of your house to go to the store you have also observed this. What am I talking about?

Before I answer though I want to explain why I am writing about it, why here and why it matters.

If you have been reading my posts or if you have ever worked for or with me or if you have ever heard me speak at an event, then you know that differentiation is important to me. It’s important to me for a few reasons, first because the world has gotten more and more complicated and there are more and more sources of information – all these different points of reference have made true differentiation much harder to achieve for both individuals and for brands. Secondly it is important because it matters to your customers or consumers.

If you doubt that differentiation matters, then think back to the last time you were really wowed by the type of service you received or the last time you were blown away by something somebody did to show they cared about something that mattered to you. I guarantee that whatever “that” was, it was a differentiator. It is highly unlikely that someone did something standard or normal and you were blown away.

We associate the differentiators with quality, thoughtfulness, customization, and specialization. They add value.

So, with that out of the way let me get back to the missing piece – what we have all seen everywhere is a rampant lack of kindness, courtesy, and respect. People post divisive content on social media and then the hurly burly begins – degrading comments, profanity, insults, nasty name calling etc…. you name it we see it. This is particularly disturbing on linked-in which is founded and still supposed to be a site where professional businesspeople interact and network. When you engage in some horrible dialogue using offensive speech how is that helping you network or grow your business? When you name call or swear do you often find you are consequently festooned with leads? Does posting something that is divisive, and polarizing create more opportunities or less? What do your current contacts and network think of your behavior? What do your current customers think of you? What do your employees think as far as the behavior you are modeling as acceptable?

So, the lesson, in case you have missed it is something your mother probably taught you – “if you cannot say something nice then why say anything at all”?

Sadly, what has happened is that being polite, being kind, having a dignified demeanor and presence, demonstrating a level of class, using business etiquette and professionalism have now become differentiators. Just be nice and kind to people, or at least have the good business sense to pretend or hold back your true self. People are sick and tired of the ongoing cyber bullying, ridicule and political baiting that has become far too common in society, and especially on linked in, which for many used to represent a haven away from the Facebook and Twitter drama. Lets take linked-in back and stop the insanity.