I liken the evolution to doing interviews. I remember my first experience as an interviewer in my 2nd year of university in our little start up. I clearly remember being so excited that first session that all focus was on myself and not on the candidate. I was constantly wondering if I was sounding credible to the candidate and behaving like a seasoned interviewer would. All this meant that the interviewee was secondary. It really was more about me than him.
Dozens of interviews later, I learnt to relax. And slowly, it turned to be more about the interviewee. Over time, I was self aware enough to see more hints that were coming my way and feeling at home.
We go through this learning curve in almost everything we do. Driving and leadership comes to mind. When we begin learning driving, we tend to give our cars a really bad ride (especially, if it is a geared vehicle). And when leading, our first followers likely had hell to pay. Mine did, certainly. God bless them.
It’s been similar with blogging. The learning curve, however, has been longer. In my first year, it was all about reminding myself to look for a learning every day. In the second, it was being disciplined enough to blog about it. And in the third, it gradually come down to picking the most significant and blogging about it. And now, it’s evolving to see the bigger picture. The attitude/comfort is in place. Now, I can spend more time on the real thing.
I’ve said this a few times now but I’ve come to realize that a blog is like a coffee shop/bar/meeting place. And the blogger is like a host. Very naturally, there is a community of people around it who visit every day. Some visit once a week and some less regularly. But, to the regulars, it’s an institution of sorts. You tend to like that regularity. You tend to like that bit of dialogue and even, debate. I’ve seen this most at AVC and BothSidesoftheTable, also at TheGothamGal. When I started visiting these blogs last year, I used to go for the purpose of reading. It was similar with blogs of my friends. Over time though, I realized that there are few things I enjoy as a blogger as to see comments and discussions. And keeping the Golden Rule in view, it is but expected that I do the same.
So, over time, I’ve made it a point to comment every time I read a post. At my friends’ blogs, I’ve requested for Disqus (versus the extremely unfriendly built in comments at Blogger, WordPress) and have tried to engage. At AVC and the like, I’ve seen myself become one of the regulars and I love the dialogue and debate. It’s a wonderful way to spend breaks at work. Instead of mindless surfing, there’s some intellectual stimulation. The brain is like a muscle after all, and it’s nice to give it some varied exercise. Besides, like in a pub/coffee shop, it’s nice to see some friendships develop with people from very different backgrounds.
This is a huge evolution in my thinking, though. It’s resulted in a huge change in behavior. Now, I find that I hardly ever read to take in but also to engage. And, in the process, I realize I give back, even if it is just a little bit. There are places I choose not to engage as well. The Harvard Business Review blog is one of them. There is so much of people and blogger bashing that goes on that it doesn’t feel like a place I’d like to share my own views as often.
The key in maintaining a culture of dialogue and debate is to keep it open, welcoming and civilized. And, bloggers and readers alike, have a huge role to play in making that happen.
Besides, wouldn’t it be a pity if most of the discussion (and debate?) of our time takes place under photos of people on Facebook?
As always, I welcome your thoughts. :)
A Learning a Day 