Transparency

Transparency is good. It's that simple.

Except in matters of national security, I can't think of another situation where obfuscation is a good idea.

People ask me why I blog. I tell them that it helps me in my business. It allows me to reach more people and connect to more people (many of whom I know only through my blog) than I could ever do over the phone and email. It helps me get out ideas that I am interested in and foster discussion of them so that I can figure out where to invest. It gets me out ahead of the curve.

But on top of that, it allows me to disclose myself; who I am, what I like, who I love, what I listen to, who I am going to vote for, and many more aspects of myself, to the world. If you are not going to like me, you'll know it from my blog. If you are going to come see me, you'll know me before you even meet me.

Some people I've met with recently ask me if I think its weird or funny that they "know" me from my blog a lot better than I know them. It doesn't bother me. Blogging makes me transparent. And I like that.

Comments

[KMD]

Have you gotten to the point yet where you feel that in meetings people (business owners seeking money, particularly) are "playing" to aspects of your personality that they pickup from your blog? That would be the only thing that would worry me.

[Jerry]

Transparency is everything Fred. People who try to dodge and weave are sooner or later found out. We all fear deep down being found out to be a fraud. The truth is, though, if we're open and honest in a brave and truthful way, than there's nothing to "discover," no smoking gun, nothing to fear.

Don't worry though, playing to Fred's personality will only ensure that folks don't get his money .

[Heather]

Well, I can tell by this entry that I like you already. I'll be back to read more. ;-)

[Kevin]

The downside of transparency is the possibility that somebody will think of your next great idea before you do. Unfortunately, sometimes that matters.