Dads rule. Mine is no exception. He used to tolerate me as a little boy dressing up like Robin Hood and reciting every line from the (original) movie. From then until now, I knew emulating him was good practice.
One day we were planting trees. A six-year-old is always convinced more is better, so I hijacked a bunch of seeds and eloped with the garden shovel. I feverishly dug about a dozen small holes, filled them with seeds, covered them up, added some water and was on my second Juicy Juice before he finished digging his first hole. Dad didn’t say much.
He didn’t need to. Weeks later his six had sprouted beautifully while mine were nowhere to be found.
Today I’m sitting at my computer noticing yet another request to “connect” on LinkedIn. This scenario has played out at least a dozen times this year. I get an unknown request. Assuming their action indicates an interest in *actually* connecting with me, I accept along with a message suggesting we meet in person.
And I’m still waiting for my first response.
Whether or not you’re a green thumb, it appears most of us are still in the business of cultivating. My Dad might have some thoughts for many of these modern social networkers, though.
We need relationships to be successful. Today those relationships are often quantified (LinkedIn connections, Twitter followers and email subscribers) . But social media and the digital landscape aren’t the end game. In fact, the good ones are successful only because they mimic our social and professional structure that already exists in real life.
While successful and influential people are likely to have a greater online presence, we’re learning quickly that a greater online presence doesn’t make you either more successful or influential.
Much in the same way splurging on a BMW doesn’t make you rich.
Or planting a bunch of seeds doesn’t necessarily yield you any trees.
As Roy H. Williams would say, you’re better off convincing 10% of the people 100% of the way than you are 100% of the people 10% of the way.
In the age of wider (more people, channels, ideas and messages) we should instead pursue deeper. That’s where the roots take hold. And one beautiful tree will get you much further than 12 hapless holes in the ground.
P.S. Thanks, Dad.
Photo credit: woodleywonderworks
