I started to think about my job today because of Dave Taylor – and the fact that he wrote a blog post about…well, me.   His post painted me in a very positive light and it spread, without my help, to the various powers that be at my work.  As I received acknowledgment from the higher ups, I couldn’t help but think it was strange that I was receiving kudos for this.  I didn’t think I did anything.  I kind was just being myself….

Recently, Mashable had an article about the “Five Essential Traits for Community Managers” – a list that I found great interest in since one of the many hats I wear at work is that of a Community Manager.  Here’s a summary of the traits on the list:

1. Loving your job
2. Ability to promote others as well as yourself
3. Ability to empower and support your community
4. Transparent, Fun and Engaging Personality
5. Extensive Knowledge of the Company

After reading that list, I can see why Community Management is one of the hats I wear at work.  By “just being myself,” I act out those five traits.  While I won’t critique my own personality (Editor’s Note: I think I’m awesome!), those other traits are the values that I believe motivate people around any idea or brand.  The social web is both communal and selfish – with the best people navigating that line with a dash of humility and enough ego to have their voice heard.   If you examine what I did with my interactions with Dave – there is that humility and ego.  I am humble enough to know that I could never ask someone like Dave Taylor – someone who has crafted an authentic and powerful voice on the internet – to be a spokesperson for my product just because he received a few pairs of shoes.  Yet, I had enough ego – and faith in my company and our products – to believe that he would be creative enough to craft an authentic and compelling reaction on his own based on his experiences with the product (or in this case – me).  Will it always play out positively?  Probably not. But when it does work out, it builds for stronger relationships and the potential for stronger returns based on the creation of trust and understanding.

As corporations continue to communicate in the social web, it will be interesting to see how this develops.  It will also be interesting to see how my personal opinions develop, as I can see both sides as a blogger and as the corporate entity.   I think that’s what makes me have trait #1 from above.  How can I not love a job that is so exciting!