Someone You Should Know
There is a lot of talk about what Twitter can do for us. Maybe it can make us money. Maybe it can make us famous. Maybe it’s just fun. Maybe it’s about the people…
I’d like to introduce you to someone who deserves to be considered an influencer of the best kind. Everyone, meet Valeria Maltoni.
I met Valeria on the Twitter chat, #kaizenblog when I used to participate in the conversation. Actually, it was Caroline Di Diego who was kind enough to send me reminders about the chat as she knew how much I enjoy exploring ideas and seeing how they apply in real life. So, I joined in and became intrigued by the host, Valeria. At that point, I only knew her as @ConversationAge but she seemed to truly care that the chat, #kaizenblog and that the participants did more than just enjoy a conversation. This passion was refreshing and I wanted to know more.
Passion, intellect, curiosity and a thirst to connect with others are all characteristics of Valeria that are easy to see. She brings her whole self to everything. Perhaps this is because she is Italian but it’s probably more true that this is just how she is. Sure you can learn about her on her site but to truly get to know her, have a conversation. My first full-blown offline conversation with her contained references to Dante Alighieri’s The Inferno, social media and other philosophers. Nice and light, just like any “how to get to know you” kind of conversation should be.
She is a Connector. Valeria thrives on getting to know others and hearing them think. There are two things that I delight in and deeply appreciate since we partnered up to be co-hosts on #kaizenblog. The first is that she has introduced me to interesting people like Tom Asacker , Taylor Davidson , Aliza Sherman and, of course, the core group of tweeps who come every Friday to explore “kaizen” and business. Her passion for connection isn’t simply for her own gain but to make the world more cozy and ready for a good conversation (with or without espresso).
The second thing that delights me is her reminders every now and then that I “should” do something. Having someone who gives an occasional nudge (or shove) to go beyond my regular way of operating is such a gift! She inspires me to see the world even more broadly, to explore other possibilities and to act according my grander vision. Since she is a marketing strategist, she can see what is coming two or three steps ahead. As someone who doesn’t inhabit that world primarily, her perspective fuels my imagination and my tendency to test how an idea can work in real life. It’s a cliche, I know, but Valeria does inspire me to bring my A game.
She nudges people on a regular basis. This is not a gift she has given just to me. When she founded #kaizenblog, it wasn’t good enough to explore an idea. Valeria wanted people to grapple with an idea, take it home with them and find a way to implement it in their work and lives. She continues to do this in her work with her colleagues, her clients, her blog, her Facebook page and on Twitter. As she reminded us in her last time on #kaizenblog, she’s not going anywhere!
Take some time to check out her Twitter stream, her Facebook page or her blog. Engage with her. It’s something that will be illuminating and valuable! Have a conversation with the Conversation Agent. After all, her message is “connecting ideas and people-how talk can change our lives.”
7 Comments
That’s very kind of you to say, Elli. I’m really glad you have found our conversations and interactions helpful. I have, too. You should see the kind of nudging I do to myself
What I found most helpful about the #kaizenblog experience has been the “zen” part. Mixing it up with professionals in different areas of focus than mine, and learning with them how they see the world, what kind of things they think about, etc. And yes, although immersed in great projects at the time, I’m still very much around and look forward to seeing all the great things you are all up to next.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Elli StGeorgeGodfrey, Parissa Behnia. Parissa Behnia said: tee hee RT @3keyscoach: @ConversationAge Just posted "Someone You Should Know" http://bit.ly/9ZJ7ax Think you might recognize her. LOL [...]
Valeria,
I’m not surprised at all about the kind of nudging you do to yourself.
You are always welcome, of course, to mix it up with us in the chat. The “zen” part is what keeps me engaged. Seeing the world through another’s eyes helps self-understanding and promotes innovation.
Thanks so much for everything!
~Elli
I credit Valeria with helping me to discover what I consider to be my life’s work. “Connecting people and ideas” is a broad term, but it’s a fundamental truth permeating everything we do.
A little over a year ago, Valeria interviewed me on ConversationAgent.com and in doing so planted a seed. By asking for (and publishing) my opinions, she showed me how I matter. Since then, I’ve been doing all I can to pay that forward, by seeking out gearheads around the world, giving them a little time in the spotlight, and showing them how much they matter. And it’s working.
More can be learned from what works than from what doesn’t, and so, the world is a better place when we discover the many ways our similarities empower us to better accept our differences.
Thank you for that, Valeria.
Brian,
Valeria has that gift! Thanks for sharing your story!
~Elli
It’s interesting when you start out in Social Media, especially twitter and dont have any credibility so to speak, and most people dont give you the time of day. I arrived on twitter wearing my Architectural Design hat with my Architectural Design website. “O just another designer, go mix with the design crowd” and BTW not many Architects or designers on twitter when I started.
One of the first people I followed on twitter was Stafano, who was engaging in a very interesting dialog with @conversationage when I followed him, so I followed Valeria. She was a revelation to me, she replied on twitter, she responded to my comments on her posts, replied to emails and even did a post about me even though I was a total unknown without influence
And yes, the connecting thing, I made several great connections through her commenters including Brian, who is definitely on my A-team.
The #kaizenblog chat group has always been a cut above; great subjects and great contributors and I really give Valeria a great deal of credit for pulling it all together in the first place with her outstanding post on Kaizen and then keeping it going fresh and new in the face of a hundred other chats and a very busy work schedule. Thank you for your enormous contribution to my Social Media experience. @CASUDI
Caroline,
That is another of the beautiful things Valeria does so well! She isn’t focused on numbers or if you are “somebody.” She just sees that you are, indeed, somebody and the conversation follows!
~Elli