Meet Some of My Virtual Friends

No matter what anyone says, the internet is the coolest place in the world, especially since that whole Web 2.0 evolution. Where else can you meet so many fantastic people from around the world (and right in your own backyard) who think like you do?

I’ve been reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau for the third or fourth time, and I can’t imagine what it must have been like for a guy like him; he seemed to be constantly frustrated by the refusal of his fellow townspeople to think about anything other than their crops and the latest gossip. Sure, he could go visit Ralph Waldo Emerson (what was it with these guys and the three names?) and chat about transcendetalism, but what then? No wonder he wandered into the woods for a couple of years to just be alone.

Thoreau would have loved the internet, I think. He would have been able to read everything he ever wanted to, connect with other like minds and discuss or debate ideas until the cows came home. He would have found his tribe, have no doubt. I know I have.

In a little over a year, I’ve met more intelligent, articulate, clear-thinking people than I did in the previous decade. Many, in fact most, I’ve never met in person; our relationships are entirely virtual, but the connections are real, nevertheless. Here are a few of my virtual friends and a taste of what they’re doing to make a difference:

Brad Trnavsky

I “met” Brad when another virtual friend introduced me to his Sales Management 2.0 Community. Brad and I had a couple of email exchanges and a phone conversation that spawned the creation of the Sales Management 2.0 Podcast. Brad and I had an instant connection, probably because we both have a passion for seeing sales professionals behave in a way that elevates the profession to the position of respect it deserves. Brad’s taught me a lot, and I’m looking forward to meeting him in person one of these days so we can share that pint of Guinness we keep talking about.

Jim Keenan

I stumbled across Jim’s blog (appropriately titled “A Sales Guy”) on a random search for information about social media and sales. I found that his take on the subject aligned nicely with the opinions that were forming in my head. We started chatting on Twitter and commenting on each other’s blogs, and Jim was eventually a guest on the SM2.0 Podcast. He was a lot of fun to talk to, and more than that he was brilliant. His commentary on motivating salespeople was spot on, and he’s one of the minority of sales leaders who really gets social media. If I ever make it to Colorado, I’m hoping he’ll take me skiing.

Jackie Faulk Dotson

Jackie is one of my more recent virtual friends. We first met on Facebook. I’m not even sure how; we have a few friends in common, so someone must have introduced us. However the introduction happened, though, I remember exactly when the connection happened (at least on my side). Jackie mentioned on her Facebook wall that she’d just written a blog post about living her truth.

That intrigued me, so I popped over to read the post. As I was reading, it dawned on me that Jackie and I were going through a similar period in our lives, a time when it felt like everything was changing and we were becoming the people we were meant to be. And then I read this comment on her about page: “I have a keen interest in business and entrepreneurialism: specifically how to use business and capitalism to actually make the world better.” Bingo. I knew right then that she was one of us, even if she’s a shoe-obssessed, baseball-loving triathlete (i.e. crazy person who isn’t satisfied with running insane distances so adds long bike rides and swims in frigid water to spice things up).

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That’s just three of the people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting online and, even though I’ve never met them in person, I feel like I know them. What’s more, I’ve learned from them. I hope you’re taking full advantage of the incredible opportunity that the internet is affording you to connect with and learn from brilliant people around the globe. If you’re not, you may be missing out on some of the most valuable friendships you could ever have.