First there was the media attention to Beyoncé’s lip-synching at this year’s Presidential inauguration. She was stunning at the Super Bowl though. There was also Lance Armstrong’s almost sad apology on Oprah. Also was a confusing report of Manti T’eo’s fake girlfriend. The list could go on. Any one or all of these situations might have left you feeling deceived.
First you feel lied to and then you feel like you should have known. It’s actually been only recently that I’ve heard someone say that introverts online don’t often match up with who they are in person. Well excuse me! I bet that could be said of almost anyone online whether introvert or extrovert. Just what kind of lessons might there be for anyone online to show up authentically? Because if you aren’t duping people, you are being the real you, right?
Take time to have the courage to be you. Let’s say you are more of an introvert. It certainly doesn’t mean you are unsociable. And if you go the other way, more extroverted, it certainly doesn’t mean you often get so carried away in your talking that you ignore others. It seems to me that some of our online behavior says otherwise. Some people may connect but then they drop things at the connection. Others make shallow connects by following, friending, or sending a default invitation to connect and leave it there. I doubt this has anything to do with more introverted or more extroverted. Instead, people seem to rush into online social networking doing things with the least path of resistance forgetting one of the most important things – to be the real you.
Have real conversations. Let’s say you are the new person in your neighborhood. Someone comes knocking at your door to welcome you. Do you say you are too busy with whatever task is at hand? Or do you welcome them in for a cup of coffee or something to munch on? My guess is, if you don’t already have a previous commitment, you welcome them in and have at least a brief conversation. It’s really not too different from someone online connecting with you and then – accepting that invitation but not saying a word. Move the conversation forward somehow.
Only you can verify the truth about you. Or that’s what we tend to often think. But somehow the truth was uncovered about Beyoncé, Armstrong, T’eo and more. While you may not have such a high profile life to have reporters digging for the truth, you do have a life in which other people know you. By being the more authentic you, there will be little reason for gossip, rumors or untruths that may circulate about you. My parents used to say to me, always tell the truth because you always will remember it. I’ve found that keeps things simple too.
On the surface it seems common sense to be someone worthy of belief and trust. Yet often we can be like the high profile people we hear about in the media, disbelief and liars, by many of our networking online actions.
It has never occurred to me to be other then myself. It seems to me, to do otherwise would be allot of work and a bit (or allot) stressful. The truth is, you’re usually found out and then out goes any credibility you may have had. It’s simply not worth it to me. Just my thoughts. 🙂
Agree with you completely that all the people who don’t match up with who they are in real life are not introverts.
Some of them are criminals and some are just pretending to be what they are not. If you look at Linkedin profiles you find that the majority of them are leaders, entrepreneurs, innovative and experts. Truly wish that was the case:-)
Susan, I bet you those celebrities are stressed now! Exactly my thoughts: it’s worth everything to be yourself.
Catarina, while some people are so trusting, it’s those criminals that are dupers who will be our demise.