Leadership is a highly sought after, yet difficult to define skill and attribute. Many think of a leader as an executive that leads a company to significant success. However, we know that leadership can be found in anyone who sets a positive example for others. Having leadership qualities means that you present yourself in a way that makes people feel like they can trust and follow you.
Years ago, what leadership looked like was clearer than it is today. A leader was someone who spoke elegantly in a meeting or could bring an entire company together during a motivational speech. However, the digital age has expanded what leadership means. It now requires much more of our leaders. Thanks to social media and instant news, the reputation of yourself and your company needs to be monitored. It is important to continually communicate with your teams to avoid future issues.
In today’s post, we will examine what it means to be a leader in this age of digital platforms, social media dominance, and the 24/7 news cycle. We will talk about what it means to be responsible with your social branding and the importance of having an open line of communication to your team members at all times. We will also talk about talent poaching and how to avoid having your top talent leave for your competitors.
Personal Social Branding
As a leader, the way you use your social media platforms is crucial. It is imperative you are taking an active role to share valuable content such as industry news or your company’s latest marketing materials. Before any meeting, the person you will be speaking to is likely to research you on LinkedIn. By being active in this way, you are providing a solid first impression before they even meet you.
You also want to think about the impact this will have on attracting top talent. When trying to land top quality candidates, you must assume they have other offers on the table. At the very least, they are going to do their homework before committing themselves and their valuable skill set to your organization. After researching your company’s LinkedIn profile, they may click on employees and navigate over to your page. Would you rather they see a page that lists your job history, or an archive of comments made, conversations contributed to, and content shared?
You also want to keep in mind about what not to do on social media. Remember, being a leader remembers you are a public facing figure. Your social platforms are not a place to make political statements or attack people you do not agree with. You may also want to audit your Facebook and Twitter pages and expunge any inappropriate comments or pictures from when they were younger. Even your personal pages are no longer personal when you have chosen to become a leader in your organization and industry.
Social Media Guidelines
Leading a company also means setting an example of your people. Most employees are aware that you should not be bad-mouthing anyone via e-mail or speaking poorly of co-workers, clients, or the company in meetings. However, we have seen on several occasions that some employees do not feel these rules apply to their social media pages. Many people feel strongly that their social accounts and personal, and they are free to do as they please. The problem is, these personal pages are often not private, and can be seen by the wrong people at the wrong time.
Most companies supply new employees with a standard list of social media guidelines to follow when employed by that organization. However, as a leader, it is your job to take it a step further. This is your chance to explain to your people the importance of presenting a professional presence on social media. Teach them about how prospective new clients or job candidates may base their decision based on what they find on their pages. Help them to understand that by holding back certain social media posts, you are benefiting everyone in the company and the brand as whole.
Team Communications
The digital age has brought with it the 24/7 news cycle. It has also given us an internet filled with websites dedicated to covering the latest news in whatever industry we are working in. Unfortunately, this means you do not always control the flow of information. For example, let’s say your company is owned by a larger holding company. Your parent company may make a major announcement about losses or layoffs before you have time to tell your employees.
When this happens, your teams will begin to get worried. Some may jump the gun and start applying to new jobs. The longer you take to talk to them, the more concerned they will become. They will also get aggravated that you, as their leader, are not stepping up to provide them with the answers they are looking for. A true leader will have a process in place to handle such an occasion.
For example, if an internal or external event occurs that needs to be addressed, you can start by sending out a mass email. Acknowledge that the event took place and that you understand people may have comments, questions, or concerns. Then, name the time and place in which you will hear them out and answer their questions. This will provide an initial sense of relief and give you and your team time to formulate a game plan.
Talent Poaching
It has been well documented that it is considerably more costly to replace an employee than it is to retain them. As a leader, you want to ensure your team is made up of highly talented and well-experienced employees. Long-term employees are valuable because they understand the ins and outs of your organization and can train new employees properly. However, these types of employees are also seen as equally valuable in the eyes of the competition.
The less time a company has to spend training a new hire, the more time that person can spend working on projects and producing quality work. Therefore, it is common for recruiters to poach high quality talent from similar organizations. As a leader, you must be aware this is happening. Also, you must have a plan in place to prevent these recruiters from being successful. The best way to do this is to understand why employees leave in the first place.
One of the primary reasons someone will leave a company is because of poor company culture. This includes not being appreciated for their work or not feeling comfortable around the office. Other reasons include below average compensation, poor processes and procedures, and lack of clarity regarding the personal growth. Leadership means understanding these items are crucial to your employees’ happiness and success. It also means working to ensure these needs are being met on a consistent basis
Conclusion
Being a leader is an ever changing proposition in today’s corporate world. Social media, smartphones, and the internet continues to redefine what leadership means and how to best showcase it. Fundamentally, being a leader in the digital age means working to present a professional presence, communicating with your teams, and keeping on top of what’s important not only to your company, your employees as well.
Let’s Talk
Now that you understand what leadership in the digital age means, you might be ready to train your executives and managers on obtaining these types of new skills.
We would love to learn more about what types of training services your team needs. Please email us at contact@therglpgroup.com to schedule your free introductory call.
