The Web is an interesting meeting place where relationships are concerned.  We use it to maintain long-distance friendships, research potential business (or social) partners and meet new people.  Sounds exactly like LinkedIn, right?
     Another aspect of Online Life is anonymity.  You can create a persona on a chat board.  You can blog incessantly under the guise of a nameless expert.  You can send out mass e-mails to associates and old friends to “stay in touch.”  Zero real commitment.
     Is that how you’re using LinkedIn?  Are you avoiding real contact like phone calls and in-person meetings?
     LinkedIn is a fantastic tool, but relationships are built on things other than profiles and Q+A.  A phone conversation will meander away from business topics, so I can find out my friend Jeff was involved in several political campaigns.  A meeting over a glass of wine will enable me to know that Cindy goes dancing every week.
     Take time to review your connections.  Is there someone you should call?  Someone you don’t really know?  Commit a few minutes to your relationships, and they’ll grow stronger.  That’s the point, right?

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