Why are you hiding

When I was in fifth grade, I won the chance to speak at a huge event for DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). When I walked up to the podium, the microphone was up above my head. My mom said that everyone could hear me perfectly, but no one could really see me, so the effect was kind of like a disembodied voice was floating through the gym.

I think that’s kind of how you might be feeling with your Social Media presence. Your tweets are out there. Your blog posts are out there. Are you out there?

Are you sharing your divine sense of humor with people?

Are you talking about your passion for Cricket, spiders, and Lost?

Are you letting people see that you are a real person, and not only that, but that actually you are quite a spectacular person?

Why are you hiding?

Why are you screening yourself off with the use of harsh language or flares of disconcerting behavior?

Why are you convincing yourself that you can’t offer anything to the conversation?

Why are you convincing others that they probably don’t really need to converse with you?

Why are you hiding your face behind a product picture or your company logo?

Do you go to meetings with your logo painted over your face? I hope not.

Why are you hiding?

We need people like you to be out and about. We need your strength of character, your intelligence, your kindness, and your ability to laugh at silliness. We need to know what happens between those tweets of articles from Ad Age or Fast Company. We want to get to know YOU.

Why are you hiding?

What is in your way?

Let’s rearrange some things and clear the path for you. I know how special you are. I know you should let your light shine.

Why are you hiding?

Get on out there.

This is post #27 in the Engagement Series. Because after all, if you’re hiding who you are, how can you engage with others?

Image by Marina Avila. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/donzeladef