Impact of Web 2.0:

But when I set about thinking about this further, this became a deeper issue.

I realized that my experiences were potentially what almost any manager might experience in their first foray into Web 2.0. This has significance especially for those in a job search, certainly.

In fact, I know of at least two executives in job searches who have chosen the more conservative route of not blogging or writing articles, specifically so they wouldn't make mistakes, actual or perceived.

But this same sequence of miscommunication or misunderstanding, brought on by use of these new Web 2.0 tools, could happen to anyone.

Gen X, Y and Millenials have learned the give and take of these tools from direct experience. Some have even said on this site that these are the first generations raised in electronic immersion. But to these generations, either the risk is deemed insubstantial relative to the gains, or, perhaps, so big as to be overwhelming, and thus ignored.

So what is the take away here? What can I, and perhaps we, learn from this experience?

Well, it ain't to give up or give in! My persistence and tenacity has led to my success time and time again, as I'm certain it has for many of you, as well.

There could be any number of other personal reasons why a hiring manager reading my articles here on CIO.com or my other Web 2.0 communications might pre-judge against me as an executive candidate. And I can't control any of them. By choosing to learn and explore, and further, to share and mentor from my experiences in these tools and forums, then I hope that I, and we are the richer for it. There are risks involved in all new endeavors, but I believe the risks associated to this writing endeavor are managed by association with this magazine, its professional journalists and editors, and in fact by its very market - us.

That all said, Web 2.0 is changing how we perceive each other. These tools give us opportunities to share and learn from each other. But as we all know, they also give us opportunity to see others' basest traits. There is risk in opening ourselves to anyone, and the risks in Web 2.0 interactions expand those "someones". Risk of identity theft, false representation, fraud, "flaming", or even simple misunderstanding.

Web 2.0 - The Enterprise Edition:

Taking Web 2.0 into the enterprise has the potential for similar risks and pains. Web 2.0 can also bring to life substantial improvements in communications, understanding, time and process enhancements, and personal improvements. In a corporate environment, those risks are felt, if not wholly understood by the everyday non-technical user. Our efforts here -- to understand these tools, to experience and wrangle with them out in the wild -- will help us weed out the bad from the good. And in turn, take them from graffiti-strewn potential to manageable, efficient tools positioned for use by anyone in the organization.

Of course, what will the next generation have over the Gen X, Y and Millenials?! I shudder to think!