Why You Might NOT Want to be LinkedIn with Someone

I was sent an invitation to connect with someone who’s newsletter I have been receiving for many years.  I found the information very informative and helpful in many cases.  However, when I talked to him about his locked down connections he told me “I don’t want my competitors to see who I know”  I explained that

• A. I wasn’t a competitor,
• B. Perhaps he should be connected to his competitors if he is that unsure of his customer relationships and
• C. It’s difficult for me to trust people who don’t seem to trust anyone else, as I find that the people most paranoid about trust are almost always the most untrustworthy people I meet.

Remember, you don't have to connect with everyone.  Just because you've been friends with them in-person, that doesn't mean that they are just as friendly on-line.