Here’s why we need to change the “traditional” relationship between parents and children, bosses and employees, teachers and students:
I’ve found that the fewer masks I try to wear, the better. This means less division between the personality that’s talking to my close personal friends, socializing with my colleagues, and interacting with my hobby or business worlds.
I’ve made a shocking discovery in the last two years: People enjoy interacting with someone who has a real personality. The masks we wear in these situations are a facade, and we all know it. We also know our teachers sometimes have a drink, our parents enjoy lewd humor on occasion and our bosses go to rock ‘n’ roll shows.
When you Google my name, timhackbarth.com is listed #1. From there, you can find information about me at YYM, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr.
After visiting these sites you’ll discover that I’ve defended Sarah Palin, I support gay marriage, I’ve been to Springer and sometimes my hair sticks up.
When I talk to clients, they don’t mind when I answer business calls in the car, in the park or at the coffee shop. And they don’t care if I play Public Enemy while we’re discussing online advertising as long as they can hear me. They’re also okay knowing that I don’t wear a suit every day…only when I’m relaxing. These things make me a human being…and people prefer to do business with human beings, not businesses.
My mom is a proud Facebook friend of mine, and I’m pretty sure she’s okay seeing the occasional “party photo” or reading the sometimes inappropriate comments made by friends. Because here’s the kicker: My mom is human, too! And she has friends who go to parties and say inappropriate things.
No, people don’t believe the same things, act the same way or have moral compasses that point in the same direction. But I guarantee this: we all have controversial thoughts, opinions and actions. Let’s get real and start showing them to the world.
This reminds me of a time last year when I was considering getting a haircut (I generally have a decently sized “jew-fro”) before a career fair. Tim took a direct stance against this and immediately asked me “why would you ever want to work for a company that cares that much about your hair?”
That response made a huge impact on my life. Thanks Tim.
