In our last blog article, The Great Gatsby’s Last Tweet, we dove into the world of literature to suggest that humility just might be in short supply on Twitter. Lots of the comments made us think. But one stopped us in our tracks.
Elli St. George Godfrey (@3keyscoach) pointed out that Shakespeare had already written about Twitter – “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” She then went on to say:
This blog post is part of a theme I’ve been experiencing this week. There is the on-going discussion about transparency. This past week , at the NAWBO Boston chapter event, we had a great discussion about humility and self-promotion.
They discuss things like that in Boston?!! Makes us want to move there.
The “I’s” Have It
That topic of “humility and self-promotion” got us doing our “search” thing (hey, it’s what we do). We wondered just how much discussion is there on the web about the topic of humility and self-promotion? So, we started a search at the source, on Search.Twitter.com, of course:
humility “self promotion”
Not surprisingly, there was only one tweet and it wasn’t quotable verbatim. The lone tweet suggested: “Humility will get you ‘bleeping’ nowhere.” So much for intelligent discussion (and humility) on Twitter.
Then we tried Google with the exact same search:
humility “self promotion”
Ozymandius
Among the varied results there was an article titled “Getting Ahead without Tooting Your Own Horn” by Ray Blunt. He’s the Associate Director and Fellow of The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation & Culture. In his article, Ray even quotes Percy Bysshe Shelley. It’s amazing, really, how many poets wrote about Twitter.
We’ll let you read his article for yourself, but one of the points Ray makes references Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, and the research behind what Collins calls Level 4 and Level 5 leaders. Blunt writes:
What they found rather amazed them. Many of the companies that actually had the best sustained results over time … …were actually somewhat obscure. One reason they were obscure was that their CEOs were people who shunned the limelight and tended to talk in terms of “we” not “me.”
Hmm… not a lot of “we” on Twitter.
The Good Book Says
We also found David Maister’s 2007 blog entry “Self-Promotion.” David is currently taking a break from blogging, but like Rosanne Cash says, “god I hope he comes back soon.”
Again, you have to read this honest and thoughtful (and humble) piece for yourself, but here’s a taste:
Like many other professionals, I’m comfortable with showing my material and saying “Let the work speak for itself” but I’ve been around long enough to know that more than that is required. I’m just not comfortable doing it.
The humility and self-promotion discussions remind us of that verse from Matthew:
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
The current crowd of Twitter barkers and hawkers don’t just put their messages on candlesticks; they explode them all over the universe with rocket flares. Amazing how well they can do that in just 140 characters.
Seems to us that folks like Ray Blunt and David Maister have bushels more to offer.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
To butcher the cliché, humility and starvation make strange bedfellows. I wrote recently about trust – do you trust your social network? That’s another tricky one. And it was best answered by someone who commented that our online trust network is no different than the one in person – it depends on the situation.
With specific regards to social networking, we often see the “salesman” get attacked immediately if he/she “sells their wares” but how do we let others know what we do or what we are good at? It’s a delicate dance and humility cannot be forgotten – but neither can confidence.
If it weren’t for Twitter, I would not have met Elli who inturn introduced me to you. The word “relationship” is tossed around much too lightly, don’t abuse it and never forget it.
@knealemann
Thanks Kneale,
It’s all about the people. It’s the relationships that eventually make a person, and eventually make a business. Too many people seem to think they can skip the part about developing a relationship – and move directly to the pitch.
We’ve made several cool new connections on things like Twitter, that is true. However, I have to say that lately the onslaught of marketing, sales and self-serving hype (not to mention trivial drivel) is making us question any of the time we spend there.
One can be confident and humble at the same time. There is a way to present one’s products and services and there is way not to present. Sometimes timing makes a difference. Sometimes environment makes a difference.
When we demonstrate our authenticity and take time to listen to the other person, it builds a bank of good will. If you start with the pitch in SM, you are pretty much like the person who hands out business cards to everyone without checking to see if there is a match in interest, need, or compatibility.
That’s what makes getting to know Kneale and you, Michael, so much more rewarding. Perhaps it will benefit our businesses or perhaps we will have a fun, growth-producing time!
It is important to remember we don’t have to follow everyone who follows us. If there is too much “Look at me” in your stream, let the person go off to wherever he/she will get the desired attention. It leaves space for those of us who want conversation to transport us.
Michael and Sheryl,
Thanks for the kind words and for caring about something important and not peripheral as so much on the Web seems to be. The research on what leads people who work in organizations to perform well over time clearly shows that a culture of arrogance breeds distrust and fear which are killers of productivity as well as human and organizational health. And you are right, it is all about relationships, for it is only in healthy and trusting relationships that people are transformed over time and achieve that for which they were purposed and called to. It’s no accident that the greatest “commandment” was and is to love God and love your neighbor. The devil is in the execution and humility will always be opposed by our desire to be over and above others. A tough battle but one worth waging. C.S. Lewis also wrote well on this subject if further reading is desired. Thanks for your good work. This website was a delightful treasure to find. Keep persisting,
Ray
Poetry is life distilled.”
–Gwendolyn Brooks
How perfectly said…but for some people, I don’t want to know about their life, even distilled. And I am sure they feel the same about mine
Hello Elli and Ray,
It’s great to be able to write about such engaging and thoughtful people. I just have to say that you are both “Hidden Treasures of the Internet” – the kind we love finding one way or another on the web.
Thanks for letting us use you as subjects – and thanks for your comments.
Thanks Pat,
Speaking of “hidden treasures,” no one is out there reading more, discovering more and learning more than Pat Foltz. She knows where all the treasures are hidden – online or off. This morning I saw someone who wrote on their Twitter page – “my back hurts.” I think that’s what you mean.
Thanks, Michael…that’s exactly what I mean!
Great book review in Salon this morning about a new book for people feeling unable to concentrate…Twitter is a culprit.
http://www.salon.com/books/review/2009/04/29/rapt/index.html
Pat, thanks for the link.
You keep providing such great content – I should quit Twitter and just follow you. I’d get a lot more out of it.
By the way, just for a chuckle. The guy who wrote the back comment (I feel his pain) wrote a book about how to Twitter.
We live in interesting times.
This is a most interesting and worthwhile discussion, one that I really enjoy and don’t find enough of.
I am always reminded of a quote from a man I deeply respect, Kody Bateman. He said “Appreciation wins out over self promotion every time”.
Hi Judy,
We’re so impressed that you are reading blogs – and even more impressed that you are reading ours! Seriously, what a wonderful comment. We are nothing, if not unusual.