Is LinkedIn different for women?

Several weeks ago I delivered LinkedIn Basics to the executives at an incentives company. I've been thinking about some of the similarities and differences in how the men and women were responding and the questions they were asking.

Both groups were very interested in using this tool in a more compelling way--

• Lots of questions and discussion on the best headlines and summaries
• How to conduct searches and research people
• Concerns about the etiquette and "rules"

It seemed that the women were much more interested in the connection aspects and the way this can be used to develop relationships and support each other. They seemed much more willing to open up their connections.

• Searching for commonalities in connections
• Sending personal messages
• Joining groups and participating
• Giving and receiving recommendations

The men seemed more interested in using it to create a personal advantage. They were reluctant to give up any information that might be used to take their business.

• Hiding their connections
• Hiding their identity when looking at people
• Finding other people's connections for a competitive edge

There was quite a bit of debate on how they would use LinkedIn moving forward. They are still in discussions even as they update their profiles. I am very much interested in where they end up.

I wonder if some of this might also be a generational issue as well. The most adamantly opposed to opening up and sharing were also the men who had been in business the longest. The younger crowd seemed more willing to open up. Maybe this is what experience will do to us - I hope not.