OK. So she passed on before Youtube existed.

However, I have to say that the basis of so much of what I feel is “common sense” in social media and online relationships came from my grandmother.  So many of what the luminaries say, when I think about it, is stuff that grandma told me when I was seven.

If she were 25 today, she’d be using every single one of the tools out there today.  Why?  Because she used the equivalents of her day, and used them well, to be celebrated and loved by many, many people.  She was a bright socialite, who regularly held conversations with world figures (Kuwaiti princes, British Members of Parliament, etc) at her house, CEOs, Labour leaders, entertainers, all walks of people, straight, gay, the whole shot.

What were the things she valued?

Always Be Aware of Your Personal Brand. In short, everywhere you are, you’re representing yourself.  Be the same person you are with every single crowd, and don’t falsify yourself.  Be authentic, yet polite, well spoken, appropriately dressed, and realized that at any moment you could be making a first impression when in public, and don’t swear in public as it’s crass (I violate that one sometimes, sorry Grandma, I’ll work to be better).  And online, you’re always in public.

The Power of Gratitude. She wrote thank you cards for EVERYTHING. Everything. You took her to coffee, you were getting a thank you card within a week.  She’d usually sit down to write them the next evening at her bureau.  Do you thank people?  Do you realize that everything comes from other people in some way, shape or form?

Even if You Don’t Agree, Get Along With and Respect Others. You never know when the next day that they’ll be on your side of the argument.  They may or may not remember they disagreed with you, but they WILL DEFINITELY REMEMBER how you treated them.

Always Bring Something to the Table. Grandma NEVER came unprepared to a party. Even if you told her not to, she’d bring something. That endeared her to a lot of people, and they knew that she valued their friendship because of her extra effort.  No one could ever label her a “taker;” she was always a “giver.”  And because of that, she could make a phone call and make darn near anything happen with anyone in town.

Apologize. You will make mistakes. You will say things that are taken wrong sometimes. Apologize promptly when you do, and try to rectify the situation as best you can.

Keep Good, Positive Company. Associate with people that bring you up – that are focused on success (whatever that may be defined as). On her bedroom wall was always, “Tis not the gales, but how ye set the sails, which determines which way they go.” (I know this one might be hard with all the negativity on the internet, but really, you only have so much time on this earth, spend it being happy).