from AskMyDaddy

Guarding Contacts

You asked

Why would you jealously guard contacts that help both parties grow?

I've known many folk that try to keep secrets to bolster their image and egos, but they are only showing the limits of their own capabilities. If you need secret information to compete, you will eventually fail, someone will discover your secret and exploit it better than you. It's better to be known as a leader and resource, that seems to be how to gain partners and clients that respect you and seek your guidance. What do you think?

MyLinkDaddy writes

Personally, I fully agree with you and promote open networking.

There are 9 million people on LinkedIn. There literally are millions of reasons and ways to use the service. You can't possibly expect everyone to use it like you do and pass judgment on them.

Many people use LinkedIn for serious business. Some are huge fans of LinkedIn. They can be open networkers and always make and facilitate contacts. They publish their email address in their profile. They forward virtually any LinkedIn Introduction. They log on to LinkedIn every day.

Some people limit contact access. They can include recruiters, CEOs, celebrities, people who only network with contacts they know well or are otherwise protective of their contacts. They may have closed networks and strict rules about what and to whom they'll forward messages, if any.

Some people limit their LinkedIn use. Believe it or not, they have a life and may have better things to do. They may not see great benefit in online networking, not use it for business, or prefer other online networks. They simply don't use or visit LinkedIn often. They may take a long time to respond to messages.

Lastly, some LinkedIn members may be novices or have an "old school" closed contact mentality. They don't understand or see the value of online networking.

No one or no group is "right" or "wrong."

We should celebrate, not criticize these differences. They teach us new uses and ideas that we could never imagine from our own limited perspective. If I may take a Zen moment, these moments are teaching opportunities. They reflect back upon ourselves. They allow us to expand our minds and learn about ourselves ... so that in the future we will understand them and be able to better react to different people.