Hi everybody. Recruiting Animal here on May 19, 2010.
Back in, oh, I guess April 2008, I was having lunch with a very prominent Recruiting and HR blogger when he said to me: Animal, I am trying to shape a culture.
At first, I was taken aback by the boldness of this statement. But then I said to myself: You know what? In my own little way, I'm doing that too.
I'm not trying to shape a whole culture. I'm not that bold. I'm just trying to shape one little corner of it. And that corner is the Twitter bio.
And this week, a guy named Jason Seiden gave me some feedback on that project. He told me that he doesn't like the way I handle it.
Animal, I'm surprised that you're surprised when people don't like your overtures.Because giving unsolicited opinions about someone's Twitter bio is a blunt and heavy-handed powerplay.
And people resent that because truth without empathy is abuse. Truth without empathy is abuse.
Well thanks for sharing, Jason. Here's my reply:
First of all, on Twitter, there's not much room for nuance. And I don't want to be subtle anyway! Because a little shock never hurt anybody. In fact, when you're trying to enlighten someone sometimes it helps to give him a little smack. That's very zen
And, listen to me, my friend. You said: truth without empathy is abuse. But empathy is not sympathy. Empathy just means you know what the other guy is thinking. Sympathy is agreeing with him. And if you can't handle a blunt comment about your Twitter bio, I don't agree with you. I'm not sympathetic with you!
And, you know, Jason, you said I'm surprised when people get mad at me. No, I'm not. I've got a sign on my page that says: if you're sensitive DON'T follow me.
But I AM surprised by people who freak out totally when I say something about their Twitter page and one of those people is your friend, Frank Roche.
When I commented on Frank's Twitter bio, first he asked me: What's happening here animal? And then he gave me an Unfollow Friday. And, then, a few minutes later he blocked me. And you know what? That still strikes me as weird.
So last week, when Jason Seiden wrote a blog posting about power and influence and mentioned Frankie in it, I left a comment. I said it was ironic to see Frank's name here because he used a blunt instrument when it wasn't necessary.
So what did Jason say? He said, Animal you're wrong, Frank acted appropriately. Frank did the right thing.
Well let me axe you this: Who's right, The Recruiting Animal or Jason Seiden? I have to point out, in his favour, that Jason is supported here by Soren Kierkegaard.
Now, I've never read Kierkegaard but I did read a quotation of his and here is what he said:
If you really want to help someone you have to start by finding out where his head is at.Thats the secret of helping. And anyone who cant do it is arrogant.
That sounds like what Jason is saying, doesn't it? And it might apply to me -- if I was doting on one individual like poor little Frankie. But I'm not. I'm shaping the way a PLANET communicates.
And if guys like Frank and Jason Seiden (who unfollowed me) can't handle the truth, well don't worry, friends. There's going to be plenty of people coming after me who won't be tough and won't be in your face.
No, they'll slobber all over you like a St Bernard while they tell you the exact same thing I do. But, let me tell you, all that saliva is going to cost you money.
So Jerry Jerry, won't you tell us, what show is this?
