We are not “ancients,” but VIM Executive Coaching admits to not always understanding the need for some executive leaders to wrap themselves in social media. As recently as a week ago, we had an interested coaching prospect sit across the conference table admitting she was often overwhelmed and stressed at having to balance so many “influences.”
As we continued our pleasant conversation, she touched on the topic of social media and the difficulties of staying ahead and on-top of everything and most interestingly, “trying to be everything to everyone.” She was a digital powerhouse! In the course of the day, she maintains two Facebook accounts, two Twitter accounts, a personal blog, Instagram, LinkedIn and over the week, posts to YouTube with an occasional foray into TikTok.
But why?
We were curious, not judgmental, but “Why,” we wanted to know, “do you waste so much time trying to be everything to everybody?”
She explained she needed to connect on a “personal level” with employees and associates on all levels in ways they would understand and appreciate, for example, TikTok for humor, Twitter for showing the digital world she could “handle the fast-pace,” YouTube so people could see her emotions in real-time.
By merely listening to her explanation, we could understand why her life was like trying to run backwards on an inclined treadmill or swimming against a strong current. It is impossible to keep up the pace. It might be a lot better to focus on one channel; one goal; one purpose as a leader.
We are in an age where social media is a dominant means of communication, executive leaders and, indeed, all employees can get swept up in a massive and not so fun game of he said and she said; they said and we said.
The differences between social media and a thoughtfully written and edited article is that it can’t be taken back and worse, can never really be deleted, and is a virtual lightening road for miscommunication and often, acrimony. Even if the social media is largely shared in-house, what is said to sales, may be misconstrued by marketing and so on. The benefits of digital communication are overwhelming but the failures of digital communication can be devastating.
In the least, and as our coaching prospect readily admitted, keeping up with it and maintaining a sense of self and a sense of leadership can be mind-numbing.
What then?
“What happens if I give it up?” It is a common enough question. What happens to the executive who comes to the realization that it is impossible to be everything to everyone? What then? What happens if we are not clever enough on TikTok, insightful enough on YouTube, cool enough on Instagram and on and on?
Perhaps, we become ourselves. Perhaps, we become more mindful.
As business coaches, we are not suggesting total abstinence from social media, but we are strongly signifying a concerted effort for executives to be mindful and to be authentic. Being authentic doesn’t mean being different personas to different people, but to be yourself – and in the moment – to everyone in the organization. The language used may be simpler or more complex, but the intent should be the same.
The mindful executive is consistent in approach and response.
There will be many more social media platforms, but there is only one of you, and you are good enough if you are mindful enough to believe in yourself.