The “Electric Fence” Stopped Working Years Ago: Why Content Creation Helps Us Walk Through Outdated Barriers
Sometimes the fences we tiptoe around are already broken. The “electric fence” that once kept us in check stopped working years ago, yet many of us still stay behind it. Out of habit. Out of fear. Out of assumptions about how things “should” be done.
That’s the strange thing about social boundaries: they often don’t exist anymore in the way we think they do… but they still live in our heads. And one of the most effective ways I’ve found to move past them is through content creation.
The Myth of the Electric Fence
The metaphor of the electric fence has cropped up in psychology, therapy, even literature. It is often used to describe:
Imaginary limitations rooted in old narratives of insecurity and rejection.
Emotional fences that originate in childhood or past pain, protecting us once but restricting us now.
Social hierarchies that feel permanent despite shifting norms and structures.
Outdated cultural “rules” about who can speak, who can lead, who can contribute.
Misunderstood boundaries that confuse healthy self-protection with fear-based avoidance.
In therapy circles, people are encouraged to make boundaries visible and healthy (instead of hidden and dangerous like an invisible electric line) so that others can connect safely. In social research, outreach and friendliness are shown to be welcomed far more often than we expect. And in inclusion work, fences are highlighted as cultural constructs that need to be dismantled so communities can thrive.
Why Content Creation Matters
Every time you put out a post, an article, or a reflection, it’s more than content. It’s a declaration that the fence doesn’t define you anymore. You’re saying: I’m willing to be seen, I’m open to connection, I’m willing to risk the small shock that never actually comes.
When I’ve worked with leaders who began sharing consistently, I’ve noticed two things happen at once. The external walls begin to crumble (distance between them and their teams or clients reduces). And the internal walls weaken too (their own narrative of “I’m not ready” starts losing power).
Take a friend of mine, Max Votek, as an example. He wasn’t trying to broadcast polished leadership lessons. He started with unpolished reflections, stories from work and life, things that felt real in the moment. That consistent show-up created conversations, collaborations, and momentum. Exactly the kind of “crossing” that dismantles imaginary fences.
More Than Personal Brand
At Co.Actor we focus less on the old language of “personal brand” and more on honesty and resonance. Our view is simple: authenticity beats polish, direct engagement beats formality. That’s why we’ve built Co.Actor scale technology - not to generate sterile content, but to keep each person’s actual voice consistent across what they publish. Because when someone hears you in your words, they connect with the human, not the persona.
A Few Key Shifts to Remember
Sharing real perspectives opens space for others to step through their own fences.
Attitudes spread fast. One direct, vulnerable post can normalize openness across a circle of people.
Most fences aren’t live anymore. The shock we fear is imagined. The rulebook we think still applies often expired with the last era.
Respect is critical. Don’t confuse tearing down imaginary walls with ignoring healthy boundaries. Some fences exist for good reason.
Outreach works. Research shows that friendliness and initiative are usually welcomed. The imagined rejection in our heads shows up far less in actual practice.
Why This Is Urgent
Our current climate is isolating. AI tools grow, work gets distributed, relationships shift online. Yet the craving for genuine connection is huge. The people who win in this environment aren’t the loudest self-promoters. They’re the connectors. Unafraid. The ones who realize the shock line was cut long ago.
The Challenge I’ll Leave You With
If you’ve been holding back because you don’t feel expert enough or polished enough or credentialed enough, stop waiting for permission. Write the next post that feels true, not the one that feels “safe.” Say hello to someone you admire without overthinking whether it’s allowed. Notice that the fear was usually the barrier, not the person on the other side.
The electric fence is off. The path ahead is open. Most of us are waiting for someone to step forward first.
So step.
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