Social media can be a potent way for Leaders within organizations to share personal perspectives. But without the right approach, it turns into a double-edged sword. Speak off-the-cuff and you risk hurting your reputation; don’t participate socially and your company’s voice is muted, leaving ample room for others to shape your story.
Here are the top five must-dos for social media:
Realize as a leader within a organization you shine bright in social mediums and you will bring attention.
Social media participation is a public appearance where everything is on the record. Assume that comments will be picked up by the critiques as well as examined closely by your staff and others watching your company. Speak and act accordingly.
Recognize your role as Chief Narrator.
Social platforms like Twitter, Facebook and no even more so LinkedIn aren’t a sounding board for a CEOs innermost thoughts; they’re an extension of other modes of communication you use as the lead executive of your organization. There’s great opportunity to share thoughts on your company or industry issues that get amplified through networks that reach employees, investors, customers and staff. As with existing communications efforts have a plan in place as you engage.
Anticipate social remarks being a part of a permanent public record.
Avoid posting or tweeting on topics that you would never discuss aloud in a public forum. Badmouthing competitors, going too deep into personal affairs, commenting on staff or speaking about divisive issues is not the way to go. Don’t be gun-shy when engaging online, but anticipate that what you say will generate the same reaction as if it were published in a email to all staff members.
Don’t court controversy if you can’t take the heat.
Opinions on relevant industry issues and current events that affect your business are fine. But steer clear of statements that might be controversial – unless you want to be at the center of the storm. Off the cuff remarks can have a massive ripple effect to be managed your staff, PR & HR team's and others tied to the issue after the fact. Pause for a moment in private before you go public.
Despite the inherent risks embrace your humanity.
Words of caution don’t mean you can’t let your personality shine through. In fact, this is one of the best ways Leaders can engage on a deeper, more human level with stakeholders. Personal insights into what it’s like to lead an organization show authenticity. Just remember that there are limits to what’s appropriate to share.
Any leader looking to engage through social media can harness the power, or suffer from the peril, of the medium. While it provides a forum for new interaction, new communications policies have similarities to traditional media guidelines.
Keeping that in mind will help you participate in ways that adds value, not headaches, to your organization.
Here are the top five must-dos for social media:
Realize as a leader within a organization you shine bright in social mediums and you will bring attention.
Social media participation is a public appearance where everything is on the record. Assume that comments will be picked up by the critiques as well as examined closely by your staff and others watching your company. Speak and act accordingly.
Recognize your role as Chief Narrator.
Social platforms like Twitter, Facebook and no even more so LinkedIn aren’t a sounding board for a CEOs innermost thoughts; they’re an extension of other modes of communication you use as the lead executive of your organization. There’s great opportunity to share thoughts on your company or industry issues that get amplified through networks that reach employees, investors, customers and staff. As with existing communications efforts have a plan in place as you engage.
Anticipate social remarks being a part of a permanent public record.
Avoid posting or tweeting on topics that you would never discuss aloud in a public forum. Badmouthing competitors, going too deep into personal affairs, commenting on staff or speaking about divisive issues is not the way to go. Don’t be gun-shy when engaging online, but anticipate that what you say will generate the same reaction as if it were published in a email to all staff members.
Don’t court controversy if you can’t take the heat.
Opinions on relevant industry issues and current events that affect your business are fine. But steer clear of statements that might be controversial – unless you want to be at the center of the storm. Off the cuff remarks can have a massive ripple effect to be managed your staff, PR & HR team's and others tied to the issue after the fact. Pause for a moment in private before you go public.
Despite the inherent risks embrace your humanity.
Words of caution don’t mean you can’t let your personality shine through. In fact, this is one of the best ways Leaders can engage on a deeper, more human level with stakeholders. Personal insights into what it’s like to lead an organization show authenticity. Just remember that there are limits to what’s appropriate to share.
Any leader looking to engage through social media can harness the power, or suffer from the peril, of the medium. While it provides a forum for new interaction, new communications policies have similarities to traditional media guidelines.
Keeping that in mind will help you participate in ways that adds value, not headaches, to your organization.
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