(Warning: this post contains a challenge in that I am asking you to exceed your comfort zone and do something that may be radical for you, but nevertheless, healthy and enlightening. And habit-forming I hope. Read to the end…)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian writer and award-winning thinker, said “Never admire quietly.”
I am liberally applying her quote here: don’t be a conspicuous consumer of LinkedIn without giving something back. Use its accumulated knowledge to access global thought leaders. Read and share, make people aware of innovative ideas, make them feel something in a new way, make them believe new concepts that show you are onto something bigger than life, and implore them to act in a way to make the human condition better, richer, more meaningful. Thank them, comment back with why their contribution appeals to you. Weave a story, show your additive interest to reflect on them with the wealth of your experience. They will need to see you practice this consistently to want to engage with you.
But do something bold, and never admire quietly.
Please give more. I wish more did.
Unfortunately I see so many people who think they are being proactive on LinkedIn using emojis (here he goes again, you must be thinking) that tell the writer what you admire in their post or comment in a stylized picture that you liked something. Fast and easy to click, yes, but mindless. You are capable of higher thought (channel Adicihie, why don’t you?) and express why you liked or celebrated or even smiled: why did this resonate? Not quietly with a click of a picture. Choose language instead.
Quiet church mice do not get noticed unless they scurry for their lives. Be a nourisher. Be a nurturer. Nourish to flourish, for yourself and for others you care about.
Not quietly. See where I am going? Go with me.
Heres’ my challenge: tell me why, in 15 words or more, you liked this post.
NO EMOJIS. I repeat: no emojis.
Words, sentences, Rich language and unquietly, please. Now, who will take this challenge and make it a habit to carry on?