I have done a 180 shift in the last three months when it comes to LinkedIn.

I used to subscribe to the view that I should only connect with people I know and trust and leverage those connections to help others to connect and find opportunities.  What I discovered is that I don’t need LinkedIn for this;  I have Outlook. LinkedIn helps me to reach the circle of influence of the people with whom I’ve connected, but only when someone else takes action by making that introduction.

On Facebook, I can make that connection for myself or someone can make it for me.  In the last few months, I have created meaningful relationships with people on Twitter and FB, whom I’ve never met face to face, including Miriam Salpeter from Keppie Careers with whom I am doing the Land Your Dream Job teleseminar.

I find the whole premise of linking only to people I “know and trust” (LinkedIn’s words not mine) to be overly limiting.  Having made powerful connections through the use of social media, and I plan to build my professional relationships in the same way.

This is why I became a LION – that is, a “Linked In Open Networker”.  That means that I turn down no invitations.  (Abuse me and I may remove the connection, but that’s a different conversation.)

My take is that if someone is going to go through the trouble to invite me, they are probably interested in what I have to offer, whether they need a coach, help making a connection,  or they just like my updates.

It only makes sense to use LinkedIn because this is where the professionals and business people whom I want to meet are online.  They aren’t on Facebook…yet.

My vision to build a professional community of people who want to find and fulfill their passion and purpose and live their vision and values and to change the culture in organizations so that people can do their best and feel like they’ve made a difference needs that visibility.  Can you imagine trying to link with an extended network in this onesy-twosy fashion?

Having a higher profile makes it easier for like-minded people to join my community.  LinkedIn has started to realize this with the creation of groups.  I’ve joined several and have enjoyed participating in some lively discussions about Leadership, Coaching and Change.  Out of these conversations have come great ideas and opportunities.

LinkedIn hasn’t wholly subscribed to the idea of LION’s, and randomly removing people’s connections when they have “too many” is just bad form.   I see signs that they are coming around with groups and events, but with the ease of sharing on Facebook, if they don’t come around soon, the edge they have as the social media site for professionals will be lost.

What do you think?  Be a part of the conversation below.

Until next time, peace and prosperity,

Carolann

p.s. – We still have 7 weeks to go in our f’ree teleseminar series Land Your Dream Job: 8 Strategies for Outrageous Success in 2009.  The lessons don’t build on each other, and the best is yet to come.  Register today.

p.p.s. – If we’ve not yet connected online, please join my community and send an invite today:

Facebook: http://profile.to/carolannjacobs/
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolannjacobs
Twitter: http://twitter.com/VividEpiphany