You know, lately I've been bumping into some really super nice people who want to censor me. Not in a mean way at all but in general, they want to control the very words I type into this blog *if* it has something to do with them or their group. While I totally understand not disclosing something that is sensitive and not ready to be shared with the masses at large, I do not understand folks trying to tell me what and what not to write on my own blog.

I think it's that fear and control issue that keeps coming up time and again. People are just fearful of negative commentary or constructive feedback (real or perceived) that is shared openly and especially in a blog format. I understand that fear because I too am human and full of insecurities. And we all want to please and have nice things said about us all the time.

It's just unrealistic, however, to think everyone's going to like you and/or have nice things to say about you (or your products or your services). Kind of reminds me of last night's Project Runway show. One of the designers had to make a pants outfit while all his counterparts got to create dresses. The designer stuck with the pants outfit was *not* happy but acknowledged he understood that "no one can live in glamorous dresses day in and day out; once in a while you need to wear pants." The tie-in here is that hey, we can't all live surrounded by complements 24x7. Sometimes, we bump into negative feedback or constructive commentary because that is life. Not everyone's going to be a huge fan or a passionate supporter. And not one thing or person is perfect; thus imperfection means there will be mistakes made along the way.

I'm not sure why many organizations, businesses and companies can't accept these facts. Sadly, as opposed to embracing these realities, many organizations run from them. They hide. They try to prevent staff from engaging online or block comments on blogs or require approval of anything to be shared with the public fearing uncensored opinions.

Look, the sooner people can accept that conversations -- good and bad -- are going to take place with or without one's consent, the sooner folks can get over the control issue(s). It's hard for folks to accept that they have little, if any, control. What folks often forget, however, is that while they have little control over publicly shared conversations and uncensored opinions, they DO have the ability to actively monitor and participate in conversations and use any less-than-stellar reviews or commentary as opportunities to rise above negativity and right any wrongs.

There! These are my random .02 cents during the wee hours of this Friday morning...