The Value of Modesty
Let’s talk for a second about “gurus.”
Someone called me a guru a few weeks ago, and when I demurred, they accused me of false modesty. It threw me off.
There are a lot of charlatans and a-holes in any industry, including the so-called Social Media industry. But in my experience, the best-known “gurus” in Social Media tend to be self-effacing and mild-mannered.
This occured to me via a comment I read in a recent post:
“All to often, one of the panelists has a personal agenda of pushing their services, and tends to shout down or talk over everyone else. This happened during a teleseminar for which I signed up mainly to hear Rohit Bhargava, and he only was able to answer a single question because one of the other speakers completely dominated the conversation.”
It doesn’t surprise me that Rohit was crowded out of the conversation. I’ve met Rohit once or twice and seen him speak. And I’m pretty friendly with folks like Brian Solis, Chris Brogan, Laura 
Fitton, Kami Huyse, David Meerman Scott, Scott Monty, Jason Falls and C.C. Chapman, et al. You read a list like
that and you might think, “Wow, that’s a who’s-who of Social Media gurus!” But, trust me, these are not people who expect to dominate a room.
These “gurus” are not rich and powerful. They didn’t graduate from Harvard Business School. They have incredibly diverse backgrounds. Many of them simply stumbled into Marketing. They are regular folks, in the best sense of the term. They are confident without being egotistical. These are folks who like to listen. They are, above all, thoughtful and modest.
That’s why, when they disdain being labeled as “gurus,” you can rest assured that it’s not false modesty.
And that’s why you should listen to them.
UPDATE: After posting this, I asked the Twitterati whom else they would add to this list of “brilliant but modest” guru-types. Among those named in the subsequent outpour?
Paul Gillin, Mack Collier, Christopher Penn, Amber Naslund, Shannon Paul, and Beth Harte. I’d also like to add Dave Fleet, my colleague Doug Haslam, and my friend Kami Huyse.
There are even more mentioned in the Comments of this post, and I recommend you check out ALL of ‘em.
Posted on: January 16, 2009 at 9:19 am By Todd Defren
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“Brilliant but modest” is an interesting filter. Off the top of my head, Toby Bloomberg, Paul Chaney, Dave Taylor, Dennis McDonald, Chris Heuer, my Australian compatriots Steve Collins and Darren Rowse, Lonnie Hodge in China, Shel Israel, Liz Strauss.
Twitter Comment
@eyecube Yup, right on. Thanks – good post. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Twitter Comment
from @TDefren a list of social media “gurus” you should listen to: [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Hi can I add John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing? He’s working hard to bring social media to the small business community
Here’s a question about the PR opportunity of a lifetime and humility.
If you haven’t heard the name Sully Sullenberger lately, you must be dead. Sully is enjoying a PR dream opportunity due to his piloting skills in landing U.S. Airways flight 1549.
Sully is a humble kind of guy. He runs a safety consulting business – http://safetyreliability.com/home
He will be on CNN Monday morning. Has been invited to the Presidential Inauguration and much more.
How does one leverage such a PR Dream and not over do it?
Considering that U.S. Airways voided his pension plan – see this post – http://tinyurl.com/8k7cvq – don’t you think he should leverage his 15 minutes of fame to help build his consulting business to provide for his future?
I love that the emerging leaders in social media are listeners. Perhaps we really are learning why we were given two ears and one mouth
Twitter Comment
PR Squared: The Value of Modesty [link to post]
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Wow, I am so not a guru… in fact, I’m surprised that you even know who I am much less have me listed anywhere in one of your blog posts.
The only thing I ever want, or wanted, is the opportunity to do good work and share what I learn with other people. Those things seem modest enough, but now I understand why movie stars’ Oscar acceptance speeches often include something about how they were “lucky” to have had the opportunity to give a star performance. I think this is also true for PR/marketing, especially when it concerns social media. Having an opportunity to do good work is so rare since the best ideas often seem to require so much courage on the part of companies and/or clients.
Sometimes I think one of the biggest problems in social media — especially where *recognized* gurus AND *self-proclaimed* gurus are putting forth ideas and opinions in equal measure — is that to people who are un-savvy about these things, it’s difficult to tell one from the other.
I’m still extremely new at all of this, but on a couple occasions when I was asked to give a presentation to a room full of nice people about social media, there was a person or two in the audience who tried to argue with me or answer other peoples’ questions before I could open my mouth to speak… and I’m no wallflower.
Sometimes I’m sure these people seem more credible to the seasoned pros in the audience than I do because they tell people what they want to hear; they wear suits or ties or both– they gear the conversation toward tools and tell people all they need to do is learn to use the tools and they too can be social media experts… since “there really is no such thing, anyone can be an expert.” Not true. Besides, people with way more time invested in their career should know more than someone like me right?
Maybe someday I’ll tell you about the time an acquaintance FAXED my boss a flyer for a free “social media needs analysis”. Sadly, that fax got his attention. Maybe there’s a lesson in there somewhere.
Thanks for the post, Todd. You’re pretty neat.
You know what’s funny? You’ve pretty much just listed the people in my “A-List” for reading. Coincidence? I think not. Great post, Todd.
Todd,
This is a great list of interesting, thoughtful, helpful people. Thanks for sharing.
I would like to add my two cents. There are a number of ppl who have mastered the art of social media — including those on your list. However, that doesn’t necessrily make them marketing pros. Marketing and PR aren’t rocket science; but they are disciplines that require more than expertise in social media. I think the people on your list bring a new perspective to the table — one that is valuable because it can help companies improve customer service, employee communications, operations, etc. But, integrating social media into the marcomm function requires a greater understanding of the big picture. Just because you “get” social media doesn’t mean you “get” marketing and PR. Internal staff and agencies need to understand what these people bring to the table … and what they don’t. (the opposite is true as well judtbecause you’re in marketing doesn’t mean you “get” social media. We can all learn from each other.)
Thanks again for providing a list of notable folks.
Heather (@prtini)
I always feel that the true gurus are the ones that “earn” the title, from recommendations by people that you know your stuff.
You probably find that the shouters are the ones that have “social media guru” or “PR guru” on their bio and profile. Riiiight….
The fact that someone calls themself a guru immediately sets off my BS detector.
Unlike your good self and the others mentioned both in your post and comments, who actually deserve the praise.
And there’s nothing wrong with self-effacing, it’s a quality I admire much in a person.
Since I’m a social media newbie, I attended the free PRSA Webinar given by Rohit last week, and must say it was excellent– he was highly organized, cognizant of his audience, and told stories to explain his points. Frankly, it was superior to some PRSA social media tele-seminars for which I had paid. I guess sometimes you don’t get what you pay for.
So if any of you are attending a panel on which Rohit’s speaking, and he’s not given a chance to get a word in, just direct a question his way–you’ll certainly learn something from his answer.
btw, I’m learning lots from your tweets and blogposts, ditto Chris Brogan’s, David Armano’s…
Cheers,
Ken Jacobs
Jacobs Communications Consulting
ken@jacobscomm.com
http://www.jacobscomm.com
http://www.twitter.com/kenwork57
Great article. I’ve also seen Rohit speak and he has that great combination of humble brilliance that captivate an audience. I would gave been very disappointed if he were on a panel and some blowhard was able to dominate.
You go! You’re one of my faves. You’re the exact opposite of an energy vampire. You breathe your life force INTO others. I hope you have some to spare when the day is done.
I concur on the importance of staying out of peoples’ faces. Stop giving the sqeaky wheel the grease!
Twitter Comment
A list I’m particularly proud to be part of (and no, it’s not the “Twitter Power150″!) – [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
IMHO the loudest person in the room is rarely the smartest, and usually (but not always) not the person I really want to learn about and from. Good list of “guru’s” and very good post, thanks!
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Brian Solis and I would have to agree with you 100%. He (like many you mention in this post) is smart, quiet, effective and talented.
When I hear the word “guru” I shiver, because when you’re certain that you know everything you’ve lost all your value.
Umm… did you see Solis’ picture. By far the most modest thing I’ve ever come across… Lol, j/k glad to see someone taking on this ridiculous “guru” tag that somehow attached itself to social media.
Nice job, and an even better sentiment.
Good list of people for certain. I’d second David Mullen. I’d also add Jacob Morgan, who is flying way below the radar and is really, really sharp.
Something I have learned.
When I was 16 I knew everything (sound familiar?). But the older I have gotten, the more I realize how very little I know.
Thanks for always keeping it real.
Todd,
As a fellow blogger you know that every week there seems to be a new list that someone emails us about to let us know they included our name or blog URL or post. I can honestly say that this is the one list I’ve been included on in the past year that I’m most proud to be part of.
Thanks.
R
Todd, this post struck such a nerve for me. It caused me to step back and realize that some of the things I’ve said earlier in the week were not of someone who was willing to help, and share, and collaborate, but of someone who was getting tired and worn down by people who genuinely want to learn and grow and live and earn and just “be” better at what they do.
It’s amazing where you can find “it” sometimes. Call it wisdom, or enlightenment or whatever but As I’ve said, sometimes it’s right under your nose and you don’t even know it. Sort of like all of you guys. You’re right here. Accessible and with zero ego..just passion.
I digress though. We don’t need pants in Florida…just shorts, like today..Sorry, Had to segue’ to the weather somehow. Great Post Todd, Thankyou.
I agree with DMS. I once dragged my nervous self to a tweet-up at a random San Francisco bar I’d never been to with people I’d never met just to meet this “Todd Defren” guy everyone kept talking about. You are most certainly a guru and a gracious one at that.
Twitter Comment
The value of modesty, from @tdefren. Doesn’t surprise me about some of these fine folks. [link to post]
– Posted using Chat Catcher
Actually Harvard Business School rejected me back in 1989 which was the best thing that could have happened to me for my career…
Please add to the list Paul Gillin and David Henderson.
One more thing. Todd, dude, you’re a guru. Get over it.
Todd, you my friend, are an inspiration. I’m thankful that I can call you a friend. And, WE ARE all thankful that you share your insights and experience with us. It helps us grow together.
Chris, I need another referral for someone to help with the pants BTW. Had to let go of the last person – not fast enough. Thanks!
I think Howie Schwartz is a Guru that is super modest
i guess if you think you´re the best you have nothing else to do. you´re there, that´s it, you´re the best, nothing to improve.
instead if you´re humble, know that you can always learn from others, that you don´t have it all down, you´ll grow. you´ll be better.
never succeed. just keep trying.
Look. When I was fifteen, I moved from Maine where everyone in my small town loved me, to Massachusetts, where everyone thought I was a freak. I had 1 friend, and he’d only be my friend when no one was around. I read science fiction. I gathered up a group of friends (eventually) to play Dungeons and Dragons in my basement. I had the first ever generation Apple Macintosh and we played on BBSs before folks knew what networking was.
I went from a lab inside a wireless company into the spotlight of social media, and now I probably never have to eat a meal alone anywhere in the world.
I’m grateful every day for the opportunities that this world has brought me. I’m thankful that if I sneeze, two hundred people bless me (saves on going to church).
Guru? Not a title for me. I’m a guy. I’m just like everyone else. I pay someone to put my pants on one leg at a time, just like everyone else.
Great post, Todd. Glad you’re back in the saddle.
Amen Todd. I can’t say much more then that. As usual you and I are on the same page.
The ones who yell the loudest are not the ones you should always listen to.
Ted Weismann, Todd Vanhoosear.
From the UK…
Antony Mayfield http://www.antonymayfield.com/
From the US….
Joe Trippi http://joetrippi.com/blog
Easy. Shawn gold (doesn’t even have a site yet). Peter rojas. (Never takes credit for his ideas). Cory Doctorow (actually tries to return everybodys email). Sorry Cory, didn’t mean to set you up. @journik
I’ve been amazed by the vast majority of people I’ve met across the social media universe. Everybody seems willing to help, share and support. How about Mack Collier?
Todd, this sums up my experience online perfectly. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how approachable, accomodating and downright nice some of these folks are: David Mullen, Mack Collier, Amber Naslund, Shannon Paul. I could go on and on.
As for whom I would add?
Christopher Penn, John Wall, Whitney Hoffman, Amber Naslund, Beth Harte. But then, I could go on and on.
It’s never false modesty but instead, a rich surprise at being considered a leader in an industry.
For some of those “gurus” the attention is new and they are down to earth enough not to get a big head from it.
That’s part of the reason they are so successful. They aren’t dominating the conversation with their service, but real life examples and stories.
Thanks for this post, Todd.
Todd – Nice reminder that listening trumps talking in social media. You picked a great group there and I’d like to add another… David Weinberger. I was fortunate to record a podcast with him last year and came away feeling he was a bit of a “reluctant rock star.” Your words “thoughtful and modest” might be a better description.
Jim | @jstorerj
Todd, I applaud that explanation. Social media has definitely provided megalomaniacs with the tools to *ahem* dominate a room but all too often fervent fans are the bigger evil refusing to see “gurus” as people and deferring to them as though they were deities.