I interact with executives that have stage fright when it comes to their online presence. They are gun shy with pulling the trigger and posting a question or idea that matters to them. A bit of imposter syndrome shows up even for CEOs and powerful people, what if my ideas are rejected? What if the world thinks I’m stupid?
In an era of unprecedented digital transformation, those who have their fingers on the pulse of emerging tech often become the unsung influencers in the room. But what's it really like to be an influencer in the AI or tech space? Well, it's not all business-class flights and VIP events. It's a mixed bag, comprising the fun parts ('The Glam') and the not-so-glamorous, taxing aspects ('The Bam'). In this post I'll take you on a through my experiences, the upsides, and the frequent toll of this lifestyle.
My Journey: From Obscurity to Footprint
When I left Intel and Micron, my LinkedIn account had a paltry 400 connections. "All the smart people work here," they said, and so I never felt compelled to network outside of my immediate sphere. It wasn’t until I started working at HireVue, stepping into a multifaceted role as a sales engineer, that I began to engage with the market and participate in local tech communities. It was a whirlpool of fresh ideas, and it didn't take long for me to make a mark, notably by winning my first data competition. I also saw the value of having a voice online because it helped me recruit and had the potential to capture leaders in the #HRTech space.
My Viral Moment: The Double-Edged Sword
The turning point came when I wrote a LinkedIn article called "This is Why Your Data Scientist Sucks." It was a provocative piece by design, aimed at making CEOs scrutinize their data science teams. I’m embarrassed by the article now, but it laid the foundation for my personal brand. The article went viral, landing on a LinkedIn channel with a million followers. It was polarizing; I was both lauded and vilified. But it also opened doors and introduced me to some invaluable connections.
The Glam: The Perks of Attention
Being an AI influencer has its undeniable perks. I’ve been invited to global conferences, flown in business class, enjoyed speaker fees, African Safaris, and attended VIP parties. My network has grown exponentially, providing me with opportunities to engage with extraordinarily brilliant minds. These people aren't just interesting; they are conduits to even more opportunities. Traveling the world in luxury, meeting fascinating people, all while getting paid for your insights. Sounds like a dream, right?
The Bam: The Hidden Tax of Public Persona
However, being this exposed also means constant scrutiny. Each post or statement is a potential ground zero for public backlash. I once advised against using the #opentowork hashtag on LinkedIn and faced a wave of accusations, being labeled a "racist bigot." Most pushback isn’t that abrupt but it is present. I having a public opinion means you’re open to public response to that opinion.
It's essential to develop a thick skin, easier said than done.
The internet is a harsh critic, and when you’re opinions are amplified, the critiques can chip away at even the most robust self-esteem. I’ve had my share of 'trolls' who seemed to exist solely to criticize. While I like to think I have a thick skin, no one is completely impervious to the steady drip of negative feedback.
Another difficult part of this is your decisions are very public. My resignation last summer lead to over 10M impressions on the internet. That might sound great for people wanting a job, it wasn’t, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. My ego was wounded and the amount of inbound attention was like a toxic drug. I had investors reaching out offering 3-month consulting contracts, they knew whatever the hell was happening was really really REALLY bad. I had 500,000+ people look at my resume, 110 interviews scheduled, I had a CEO offer $20,000 during an interview if I would agree to have dinner with them. My neighbors were asking my wife why I was showing up in their TikTok feeds. It was a shit show, I was a shit show, it took almost two months for me to get my head on straight and settle down.
Conclusion: Balancing the Downs with the Ups
Being an influencer in the tech world is a balance of contradictions. It's a blend of the highs of international recognition with the lows of internet scrutiny. It's speaking engagements in front of thousands of people and worry about saying something “brand killing”. It’s glamorous, but it's also demanding and mentally taxing. If the content I post feels effortless things tend to be good, if it’s clumsy and awkward things tend to be bad.
For those who see only the fun elements, know that the path is fraught with both internal and external challenges. And for those who are considering this journey, prepare not just for the highs but also the resilience needed to navigate the lows. I think listening to online feedback is good, but it can also consume you. It’s a complex but rewarding path, one that demands a willingness to engage both the glam and the bam. I wish more people took the leap and posted their best ideas online, you have new ideas every day but too often we keep them to ourselves.
Next time you have a new idea or question, turn off your camera (assuming it’s happening on a Zoom/Hangout), type the 1-2 sentence and post online. It might not seem like much, but eventually the snowball will grow. The questions/ideas you have will continue to be develop and your growing audience will battle test your ideas for you. I learn so much from my followers and others online, I get smarter by their input. I also step on my own rakes sometimes where I need a major correction or even a post deleted.
What prompted this post? I’m not sure, but there you go. Also this post falls into that category of insecurity, is this dumb? Is it helpful? Is it worth posting online? Telling someones story is really only useful if there is a lesson/insight the audience and gain from hearing the story.
This is insightful Jepson. As someone who consistently debates whether to open my mouth or not because I think my ideas are dumb most of the time, this motivates me to maybe be a bit more open to the world and not worry about the criticism so much.