Is it always golden?
The other day I traveled across the country and something rather unusual took place I thought at the time. For some odd reason, I did not speak to a single person the entire trip. This includes from when I parked my vehicle at the airport until I arrived at my destination. I did the normal checks through security, waited in line to board each plane and sat next to passengers on different flights but did not say one word. I was in transit for approximately 7 hours and I did not utter a single word even to the airline attendant. When asked if I wanted something to drink, I just shook my head no. I had multiple opportunities to make eye contact with others and I avoided them quickly for no apparent reason other than I chose not to engage them. The more I have thought about it, I never talk to anyone when I travel. How odd? Since personal branding is a full-time project rather than a weekend hobby, I now wonder about the countless hours I may have wasted by not allowing people to interact with me (my brand). Unfortunately, I will never know which bothers me.
Are there times when it is appropriate to hang a “closed sign” on your personal brand?