Today a quick video, this year I will talk much more about a topic I have huge passion for; its self-esteem. In this video I talk about: Is it unprofessional to be personal? Or should I tweak it a bit more for you; is it unprofessional to be you? It seems like I meet two different position takers out there.
What is your take here?
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About Mattias GronborgMattias Gronborg is CEO and Co-founder of iGoMoon - Managed WordPress Solutions. iGoMoon’s products are specialized for small and medium businesses.
Whilst I agree with a lot of what La Chanteuse has to say I do think that sometimes you have to modulate the amount of 'personal' dependent on the situation you are in.
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I don't think it is ever unprofessional to be personal, when appropriate. What I mean is that people concentrate so much on being 'corporate' that they forget that there are souls behind the people that work with and for them. We all get so wrapped up in our own worlds that we have forgotten to relate to each other and to empathize. So no, I think getting personal needs to be that much bolder these days.
@La Chanteuse Thanks for your words. Indeed! A lot of people concentrate so much on being corporate. YOU do business by being human and representing the brand at the same time.
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I am a very outspoken and direct person. I have NO issue with self-esteem. But there are times when I need to hold my tongue - as Cherrara76 stated - it all depends on the situation. In order to build a close, strategic relationship with business partners, they need to build a level of trust. If they never get to know the real you, it will take much longer for them to reach a comfort level and be willing to take risks.
There is always a line that you need to be aware of, in every business relationship. I have had co-workers who were much too open with information. Some simply lacked the social skills of how to gauge the reaction of those they were speaking with. Others didn't recognize the need to filter the intimate, personal details out of conversations with business acquaintances. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be an open book for all world to read - but don't be an audio book on repeat; wait until you have an interested 'reader' and tell your story within the bounds of their level of curiosity.
Claire
@Claire Wood Well said Claire! "Don't be an audio book on repeat!" If understood you correct you mean it's important to listen first and not just talking about yourself? Good point! We can't be personal if we don't really listen first? You do business by being human first.
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Very interesting question Mattias and not so easy to answer.
I think this question is best answered by an other question:
When is it unprofessional to be you?
I'd say that some things should be personal, and some for buissiness.
You don't want to bore your "normal" friends in for instance your personal facebook stream with your buissiness stuff and on the other hand maybe it's not always a good idea to show your buissiness colleges every aspect of your private life.
So, how do I know when to be myself?
Well it depends on your position in your company, who you are speaking to and most important.. the situation.
However, we should never forget that buissines is made by people, not companies.
So is it unprofesional to be personal?
Well it depends om when and with whom.
but in the other hand, this is just my opinion....
@cherrera76@cherrera76 I think you hit the nail several times here! Great input from you as usual. People buy from people not from businesses, and people want to hang out with friends online not businesses. My experience is that a lot of people know this but they are still afraid to step up and showing up in a more personal context because it's take courage and that's where the self esteem hits the fan.
@Mattias Gronborg Actually i think is a Swedish phenomena.
When I've been doing buissiness in South Euorope people tend to be more personal and proud over their culture.
Dinner at their homes with wivees and children, before talking buissines over a cup of wine.
In Sweden we are more restrictive, is part of the culture.
But we are getting there, we have so much imigrants that have started their own buissineses and some of their culture have transfered to the Swedish way.
However, there is a much more strict hiarachy between owners, chifes and employees abroad than in Sweden.
But if you'r not yourself then you are everybody else, then why should I notice you if you'r not different?
@cherrera76 my friend @niklasmyhr has also talked about those cultural differences. He is living in CA in US. If you want true attention you need to be yourself.
Mattias Gronborg is CEO and Co-founder of iGoMoon - Skyrocketing Managed WordPress Solutions. iGoMoon’s products are specialized for small and medium businesses. Mattias is an entrepreneur who has worked with sales and marketing throughout his entire adult life across multiple industries in many capacities.
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