Social media is a powerful communications channel it’s opens doors, starts dialogs, creates relationships and
often inspires, motivates….and much much more. It’s the much much more that I’m writing about today. I’m a little concerned that people are forgetting that authenticity paired with social media is not a license to be divisive, or tear someone down. The fact is rude snarky remarks can hurt and as Chris Brogan said it earlier today “there are people on the other side of the glass with emotions.”
In a sense. all of us are authors and everyday we write another chapter or two in the story of our life. That story is what others will remember about us long after we are face to face with them. Snarky comments are often remembered by the person on the receiving end even if they are thrown out in fun. Our social networking accounts are just as much a reflection of our personal brand as our resumes, the stories we tell and the work we do.
I’m not suggesting that we will never have disagreements, that we turn a blind eye to problems or that we not stand up for the people, products, or issues we feel passionate about. I am suggesting that we take a minute and consider how we are communicating. Consider the fact that contentious communications don’t build community they tear it down and destroy trust. I’ve written frequently that for community to succeed there has to be a tie that binds. Collaboration may be the secret ingredient…there’s power in numbers.
I’m reminded of a quote from best selling author and speaker Barry Neil Kaufman: “a loud voice cannot compete with a clear voice…even if it’s a whisper.”
How would your community describe your voice? Are you dividing or conquering?
