There’s this thing about name-dropping: It works.
That’s right. It works. That’s what makes name-dropping so insidious.
Dead man walkin'.
Name-dopping happens when people don’t know who they are. They use the reputation of other people to prop themselves up. It’s like an emotional version of “Weekend at Bernie’s”.
When you can loosely affiliate yourself with another person of equal or greater stature, in whatever haphazard fashion, you appear greater. More powerful, influential, or wanted.
You reap the rewards with little to no consequences. (At least, that’s what you think.)
While name-dropping might work in the eyes of others, there’s ultimately a price to pay. That price? Your soul. Your soul believes the lie that who you are isn’t good enough, smart enough, or liked enough to make it in the real world.
Sad.
The next time you’re about to tweet about a 10-second conversation you had with so-and-so, blog about all the people you know (or think you know), or update your status with all the amazing places you’re going (even if you’re stretching the truth with some of them), ask yourself a question:
Why am I sharing this?
If you can’t come up with a good reason, well, yeah. Chances are you’re name-dropping. And you’re better than that.
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Hey Justin!
Not sure I agree with a blanket “Name-dropping happens when people don’t know who they are” statement. I think sometimes it can serve to connect the dots in a community. I do think people can lean on tenuous ties, but other times couldn’t it be just as positive?
YO, B.
I think you’ve correctly identified the difference between “networking” and “name-dropping”. Networking, I think, aims to help others. Name-dropping seeks to serve one’s self.
At least, that’s what I think anyway
Thanks for the clarification.
Fantastic reminder, bro. Thank you. It’s very easy to slip into that trap.
I think that question, “Why am I sharing this?” is one we should ask ourselves every time we think about posting an update or a tweet. We need to add value, not add to the noise.
Tim, did you say “bro” to let us know that you knew Justin on a deeper level than others? I should call you “bro” I did meet you at Echo once, when Bill Swaringim (cough cough) introduced us.
(Totally kidding, saying that now so that no one rails me in comments.)
Congrats for being the first person I know to use Weekend@Bernies for an illustration! You are officially my hero for the weekend, for real. Good word too!