I believe that those who contribute to the conversation – even if it’s critically – are the bloggers that are really the ones that are the most interesting to read. These leaders don’t always paint everything as candy canes and lollipops. They call things like they see them. But they do so not to attack, but to advance the conversation forward. They do so to lead people toward a larger goal. (Micropersuasion)
This is a great comment on the world of blogging. As it becomes more and more influential we will see a growing confusion because of the sheer bulk of information coming out of the blogs.
Bloggers have a couple of options
- They can choose to add to the value already on the web
- They can choose to take away from the value on the web
The new leaders will be those who contribute. They will be those who give to the blogging community and those who are able to engage in real relationships and encourage others to find their voice.
Blogging is no different to many other conversations that we have its just that the medium is changing. And, as this medium matures we will see some people rise to the challenges of finding a voice. In many cases this will mean that those who are stuck in the traditional mindsets of authority, control and arrogance will eventually be drowned out by those who are able to share, relate and empathise.
The call is for people to be able to rise to meet this challenge. To set before us an agenda allows us all to move a step further forward. To move us all towards a greater honesty and integrity that will encourage us to see ourselves just that little bit more clearly. Isn’t this what happens in any good conversation?
One writer describes a range of people who contribute to the flow of energy in our lives. He called those who take VDP’s, Very Draining People. In the blog world these are the people who as Steve writes tear down and criticise. At the other end of the spectrum are the VIP’s, Very Important People. These are the people who contribute to your energy flow, they are the people who energise you. We have all had conversations that we go away from feeling drained you have just met a VDP we need to limit the time spent with them. On the other hand we all would have had energising conversations, where you go away encouraged to continue the journey or have been given a fresh idea or where you have been validates for who you are. These are the VIPs.
We need to ensure that we maintain a balance in the conversations that we have. Regulate the number of VDP conversations that you have whether it be through a blog or face to face. And, ensure that you have plenty of VIPs with you on your journey. They will give you the encouragement and wisdom to take move that next step forward.