Tom Ryan @ 4:32 pm July 16, 2009

Liked your analysis. I cannot beleive that people can lack perspective.

Bill Phenix @ 8:57 pm July 16, 2009

Too true, Flyn, too true. I view that kind of communcation in the same light as thos spam emails I get all the time that say “Contact Immediately!” or “Respond at once!” I stopped clicking on those a long time ago for two very good reasons: A it gets expensive removing all those viruses from your laptop, and B, since I left the Presidential Escort in the Army back in 1983, I just haven’t responded that well to demands, orders, etc. Maybe it’s because they can’t drop me for pushups…

Mindy Selinger @ 2:30 am July 17, 2009

Incredible that people would behave that way. It’s as if the universe was shielding your contacts from that lout!
Mindy Selinger’s last blog ..What Exactly is a Networking Event, Anyway?

Mariano @ 12:02 pm July 17, 2009

I’m shocked that someone would threaten to cut you off if you didn’t make your network public. It’s one of the least tactful things I’ve ever heard of!

You’re right, of course, that if you “unlink” with someone you’re really only hurting yourself…and exposing yourself as a person looking to receive rather than to give.

Nice article, thanks!
Mariano’s last blog ..First Look: Concrete 5 CMS

Carla Joye @ 2:29 pm July 17, 2009

Very good post. It is so sad that people do not act in a professional manner today. The “all about me” generation has moved to the business world. Tact and diplomacy and a true desire to be helpful are still the best ways to do business.

Doug @ 11:29 pm July 18, 2009

I have a different take on Linkedin networking though I agree that the “connection” was out of line.

I only let into my network people with whom I’m willing to share it openly. If I let untrustworthy people in my network then what is its value? If I block my trusted connections from seeing my list how can I be of maximum value to them?

My personal view is that my connections should be able to see my other connections.

Milton @ 9:17 am July 19, 2009

We leave in a free world,simply I do not understand that you do networking and hide your contacts.
My Outlook is and safer and easier.

Flyn @ 10:30 am July 19, 2009

Doug..

There is nothing wrong with your approach of limiting your network to a trusted few.

However, you need to understand that by doing so you greatly limit the potential you have in your networking efforts.

Networking is much like advertising in that it is your visibility to others that simply by odds if nothing else puts you in front of someone that needs you.

When you limit your network as you described you are only visible to those that already know you — my basic question would be why even be on LinkedIn you can stay in touch with these folks via any number of other methods?

I suggest you read my article on “The Open Networker Debate.” Use the search upper right to find it.

Les Szpakowski @ 1:57 pm July 19, 2009

As a relative newcomer to LinkedIn, I link with/request to link with what I perceive to be interesting or mutual interest people, finding the
community a resourceful, interesting, and stimulating bunch of folks, and I have no problem or issue with people viewing my contacts.

But, just to point out one potential pitfall which might be of help to others….
I applied to join a particular group and was accepted. I requested to link with a particular person and immediately received a curt note form the group moderator/ creator removing me from the site.
In pursuing the ‘why’, which took several attempts, it seems he took exception to the way I had listed myself, with my business name in my title, alongside my name.
Quite honestly, I wasn’t aware that this was, or could be, a point of contention….as a newcomer, you just do what you do!
In the end, the moderator/creator was unmovable and I gave up trying to offer a defense and will put the episode down to experience.

The point is this – make sure you fully appreciate what the group criteria is, and if in doubt, ask.

I have since changed the published name details as if it is incorrect, I don’t want to loose the opportunity to have exchanges with some great contacts because it causes offense.

Flyn @ 2:27 pm July 19, 2009

Les…

Your story is a common one. Most people don’t read the LinkedIn users agreement and they see others putting data in the name field and the header in general that is prohibited by LinkedIn.

I think the group owner should have cut you some cut you some slack as a newbie and just explained that what you were doing was not proper.

Newbies also get in trouble with inviting folks as the system prods you to load up your list and invite them all. What they don’t tell you is that sometimes people in your list don’t remember or know you that well and then slap you with an IDK.

Anyone getting on LinkedIn would be advised to either read the agreement or talk to and expert like myself to find out what can and can’t be done.

Johnny Ray Smith @ 6:00 am July 20, 2009

I agree with you whole heartedly, it’s what you can do for others that is most important.