How to Get Unfriended on Facebook

Like all people, entrepreneurs have their blind spots and weaknesses. Some (look familiar in the mirror?) are so dictatorial, self-centered, disagreeable, interrupting, narcissistic, and disrespectful of others’ opinions, they make people run, not walk, from them. They throw you off their teams and fire you from the very things you helped create. Worse case, as the ultimate punishment, they unfriend you on Facebook and other social media.

Here are 10 things to ponder about yourself when you get unfriended on Facebook:

1. Crossing the line between “content marketing” and self-promotion will get you unfriended, blocked, and banned from cyberspace.

2. Thinking that you are the smartest person in the room creates resentment.

3. Faking it till you make it and assuming an unauthentic persona will be obvious.

4. Letting your vision cloud your vision will lead you to dark places.

5. Talking more than you listen empties the room.

6. We all know that your strengths are your greatest weaknesses. Many times, though, you need to lead from behind and make yourself invisible and obsolete as quickly as possible. Increasing your profile won't help.

7. You are not innovating unless you are p#ssing people off. At some point, though, enough is enough.

8. Many times, you can tell you are effective by the enemies you make. At some point, though, you will need those very enemies as allies to innovate.

9. They say it gets worse at the top. Loneliness has become endemic, particularly among baby-boomers, and affects your health.

10. Self-help is a growth industry for a reason.

In the words of Mario Puzo, “My mother always told me not to go outside because you can get hurt if you go outside.” Be careful out there, and inside as well.