Five Fundamentals to Make It as a Blockchain Professional
Through a collaborative effort, ApdA and Thrilld Labs have identified five essential attributes for professionals to excel and stand out in the competitive industry of blockchain and Web3. Read our research here.
Five Fundamentals to Make It as a Blockchain Professional
Collaborative Article | Association for Professionals in Digital Assets and Thrilld Labs
With the Web3 and blockchain industry poised for exponential growth and consisting of over 200,000 professionals and 10,000 companies active in the sector (as per K33 (2023): The Emerging Crypto Industry), ApdA, which is a blockchain association championing professionalism and ethics, and Thrilld Labs, a solution dedicated to connecting blockchain professionals, have identified five essential attributes for professionals to excel and stand out in this competitive industry.
Said attributes have been identified to not only advance professional standards, but also to transform how industry participants are perceived. Ultimately, adhering to these attributes - or standards, so you will - enhances one’s credibility and ethical stature and should ultimately allow blockchain professionals to position themselves as the actual leaders they are, thereby serving not only themselves but also the industry as a whole.
Attribute 1: Transparency
As a preliminary notion, transparency is foundational to blockchain technology and, we believe, should be both essential and equally applicable to professionals in the space. This implies that transparency is not just a technologically enabled and inherent characteristic of on-chain activity but should be extended in the culture of blockchain professionals across the globe, almost as if it were a universal value. Now, what does this mean in practice, one might wonder?
At ApdA and Thrilld Labs, we believe that being transparent about all one’s endeavours, especially when wearing multiple hats or advising multiple clients, is absolutely crucial. This openness includes clear communication about your various roles and responsibilities at the outset of any instruction or introduction, particularly if one has multiple involvements that might pose conflicts of interest from either a professional or a personal perspective.
This latter distinction is particularly important in the blockchain space due to it being common for professional and personal interests to intersect, overlap or be outright blurred. The same consideration should be made during any representation on social media such as advocating a token or promoting a project - if a professional has a specific interest in spurring, shilling or otherwise celebrating an entity, asset (or future) asset), this should be clear and obvious to the audience.
Blockchain is all about building, and a critical part of that involves building long-term relationships. By being transparent, you signal to others that you are committed to ethical practices, hereby establishing a positive reputation in the blockchain community. We build, and we lead by example. This practice not only aligns with our industry’s decentralized ethos, but also systemically strengthens the credibility and resilience of the entire ecosystem.
Attribute 2: Collaboration
Alongside transparency, collaboration stands as one of the key pillars for both the growth and success of the blockchain space. Collaboration in blockchain is particularly vital given the industry’s infant stage. Working together helps to pool resources, knowledge, and expertise, propelling the space (and one another) forward. The saying “a rising tide lifts all ships” perfectly captures this sentiment.
In practical terms, fostering collaboration means actively seeking out partnerships, engaging in open communication, and being willing to passively share resources and actively share insights. It involves aligning goals and creating an environment where everyone feels valued based on the merit they bring to the table. It involves accepting diverse perspectives, not for the sake of innovation, but also out of straightforward respect. And it also involves valuing quality over status and recognizing the inherent dignity of all collaborators. These two factors can only be guaranteed if the preliminary benchmark of transparency is guaranteed as well.
Walking the talk, both ApdA and Thrilld Labs seek to enable collaboration in our very distinct but also common ways; take this article as an example! We believe that blockchain professionals can accelerate innovation, solve complex problems more efficiently, and build stronger, more resilient networks. But we have to all do this together to be effective. An additional result of this collaborative notion is that the industry does not only become stronger and more dynamic, but also more inclusive, indeed an additional key attribute of a leading blockchain professional.
Attribute 3: Inclusivity
Inclusivity in the blockchain space means creating a digital and physical environment where everyone, regardless of their background, location, or nature, feels welcomed, valued, and is able to contribute. Inclusivity doesn't always need to be obvious; both 'hands-off' and 'hands-on' approaches can equally promote inclusion through either deliberate actions or deliberate omissions... For instance, inclusion implies actively promoting diversity and ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. The other side of the ‘coin’ (pun intended) is when people feel included and respected, they are more likely to share their insights and ideas, de facto leading to more creative and effective (and inclusive!) solutions both within your business and as a community as a whole. That is why the hands-on and hands-off approaches enforce one another.
Looking for more blockchain-based reasons as to why inclusion matters?
Inclusivity encourages diverse perspectives, which leads to more comprehensive and innovative problem-solving. Isn't that what the decentralised, global nature of blockchain is all about? Indeed, inclusion also leads to a fairer and more equitable society, so why not embed inclusion across genders, ages, locations and other potential demographic factors in our very companies, projects and other initiatives? When blockchain professionals commit to inclusivity, they not only enhance the creativity and effectiveness of their teams but also align with broader social values. That quite literally is what breathing social responsibility looks like.
On a more pragmatic note, what this requires from you as a professional is proactively seeking out diverse talent, consciously creating opportunities for all voices to be heard, and promoting a culture of respect and equality. Consider that by prioritising inclusivity, one can build stronger, more innovative teams, thereby directly increasing the overall chances of success of your project or other professional efforts.
Attribute 4: Confidence
Finally, we believe that blockchain professionals are confident people - by their nature, they go against the herd and build, regardless of the market cycle and irrespective of bulls or bears. But upon which foundation is this very confidence built, one might wonder. At ApdA and Thrilld Labs, we believe this confidence stems from pride and passion relating to the blockchain itself, which usually develops over time. Pride works more externally, whilst passion stems from within.
Starting with the former, pride in work is essential for blockchain professionals because it allows one to showcase their inherent dedication to their blockchain goals. De facto, demonstrating pride involves delivering high-quality results and sharing achievements within the Web3 space, as well as with those externally. Educating those who are sceptical, don’t ‘believe’ or are still captured by the negative perceptions surrounding crypto, blockchain and Web3 is also a key factor. It means being transparent (there it is again!) about both the potential opportunities and risks of blockchain technology while feeling confident enough to passionately speak about it no matter the setting or audience.
Passion, indeed, drives you to excel, fostering a deeper connection with your projects and with people around you, including those newer to the space. When passionate about your work, it shows in the quality and your interactions. This passion can inspire others in the community, and even externally, to also take pride in their work and strive for excellence, or to explore the space, respectively. By sharing your achievements, you inspire that confidence in your abilities and contribute to a more respected and trusted blockchain community, driving progress and fostering trust within the ecosystem.
So, what do we suggest you actually do to showcase that pride and passion? How does one breathe that confidence?
Utilize social media, certifications (like ApdA!), professional networks (like Thrilld!), and industry events to highlight your accomplishments and the impact of your work. Additionally, be honest and transparent about things that go wrong, both in your own professional career, and generally in the blockchain space. This transparency, here it is again, builds credibility, more confidence and hereby, trust. We can confidently state that no one is perfect, and no industry is either. And that’s fine.
Attribute 5: Community Engagement
Regardless of whether one is an entrepreneur, solo founder, blockchain lawyer, or freelance dev, we do not operate alone. Its likely we are all part of various ecosystems, communities, projects, DAOs, or other collaborative efforts. Indeed, that showcases the collaborative and inclusive nature of this space, two aspects readily mentioned above. Engaging directly with projects and platforms not only demonstrates your commitment but also gets you directly involved with innovation and growth in the ecosystem. At AdpA and Thrilld Labs, relatively small ecosystems themselves, we know firsthand that by participating actively, you will improve your ability to share knowledge externally and keep up to date with current trends.
Unsurprisingly, community involvement is especially important for those managing token-based projects or, indeed, those holding the tokens of said projects. From a builder’s perspective, this new asset class represents a unique type of stakeholder requiring special care and attention, and the literal stakes are higher the more prevalent a community becomes.
A token holder on the other hand, can benefit from active community engagement as said behaviour directly leads to deeper connections and a stronger sense of belonging within the blockchain ecosystem, and as such, through shared incentives, increases the quality of said community. We cannot ignore the monetary induced rationale which comes as part and parcel of this new asset class and ultimately gives those outside of the community an indication of the community sentiment.
Another way to showcase community involvement offline is to contribute to IRL discussions, attend events, and indeed join community meet-ups. Said real-life behaviours and endeavours help professionals build their networks, which is a completely distinct yet crucial part of a blockchain professionals’ toolkit enabling growth and business opportunities. To sum it up, by prioritising community engagement and contribution, both online and offline, blockchain professionals can drive meaningful interactions and new relationships, bringing us back to the human aspect that is paradoxical yet so fundamental to the growth of a high-tech industry.
Put These Fundamentals into Practice
To "make it" in the blockchain industry, ApdA and Thrilld Labs argue that professionals should incorporate fundamentals such as transparency, collaboration, inclusivity, confidence, and community engagement. These qualities advance professional standards and foster trust and innovation, ultimately benefitting both said individuals and the broader blockchain ecosystem at large.
Whether one is looking for a job, hiring, or connecting for other business synergies, Thrilld is a networking solution specially developed for Web3 professionals and available in the app stores. In Thrilld, individuals can create personalized profiles and find other Web3 professionals worldwide who fit their interests, needs and wants. Thrilld, built by Thrilld Labs, is free and open-access with ethical data governance. Thrilld has been created with all five of the above-noted fundamentals of this article in mind.
For those looking to join a professional network of like-minded individuals adhering to the principles discussed in this article, you could also consider the Association for Professionals in Digital Assets. Stay up to date with our developments and key industry updates by signing up for our newsletter, The Digital Standard, here.
About Thrilld Labs
Thrilld Labs built the synergy-machine for Web3. Via Thrilld, a free and open-access solution, Web3 projects, professional investors, devs, and Web3 service providers can find each other in a tailored manner to instantly talk funding, business, and other synergies.
Thrilld also functions as a full-fledged Web3 event networking solution.
About ApdA
The Association for Professionals in Digital Assets (ApdA) provides a structured, community-driven platform for blockchain professionals to certify their ethical and professional standards, fostering a trusted network of verified members. By leveraging blockchain technology, ApdA verifies and authenticates members’ professionalism and ethics, solidifying their reputation for high standards.
