Introduction
Generally, there is a consensus among leadership scholars that any form of leadership requires a considerable amount of engagement and interpersonal connection. However, with the proliferation of social technology, it is now pertinent to consider its impact on leadership. Especially, since personal communication has been a dominate framework in terms of accessing leadership. Therefore, the central question is whether social technology serves to amplify leadership capabilities or deters it. The ultimate goal of this article is to answer how social technology impacts leadership, primarily in terms of presenting engagement and interpersonal relationship.
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Findings
- The simplest answer to how social technology impacts leadership is that it greatly amplifies the importance of leadership. Surinder Kahai states in the article, “Yes, Leadership Changes in a Web 2.0 World,” that “With proliferation of technology-mediated virtual teams, there is greater need and expectation for leaders to provide us with an inspiring purpose and structure that hold the team together and propel it forward despite the numerous challenges of working virtually.” In terms of how engagement and interpersonal relationship applies with leadership and social technology, a clear response is apparent within this statement. The response is that in instances where social technology is the dominate means of communication there’s a greater need for leaders to be engaging and interpersonal with members. Since that’s the primary way they could inspire purpose and structure for their team.
- Considering, the dominate framework in terms of accessing leadership was once personal communication. Social technology currently transcended the role of leadership from what it used to be. Thus, the ability for leaders to apply technology towards engagement and interpersonal connection is actually profound. Dominic Barton, Andrew Grant, and Michelle Horn in their article, “Leading in the 21st century,” question six leaders on the personal and professional challenges of leadership currently. In reference to why leaders must prepare for the long term and reallocate resources accordingly, one of the interviewees presented this sentiment, “the accelerating pace of technological innovation makes this aspect of a leader’s role more important than ever.” Within this statement, there’s the idea that the execution of leadership responsibilities connects with technology’s affluence. Logically, a leader could be highly capable at long-term planning and allocating resources accordingly, however, without the ability to personally engage and relate through social media, leadership loses importance in that context.
- Ultimately, social media allows leaders to amplify their leadership presence with engagement and interpersonal connections. There are several real-life examples that illustrate the impact of social technology on leadership is profound. Additionally, social technology allows leaders to transcend leadership from what it used to be. Christine Gamlen Flury in the article, “Social Media as a Leadership Tool for Nurse Executives” examines how nurses can use social media as a leadership communication tool. She writes, in reference to the value social media offers, that “showing gratitude is essential for leaders and social media provides an excellent and efficient platform for highlighting and thanking employees for their many efforts such as managing a new initiative, meeting a patient experience goal, or community building” This statement reveals exactly how leaders can present engagement and interpersonal connection through social media. Additionally, it reveals how important social technology can be in illustrating leadership.
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Personal Branding
- Glenn Llopis in a Forbes article stated, “Having a personal brand is a leadership requirement. It enables you to be a better leader, a more authentic leader that can create greater overall impact.” The ideas apparent in this statement are obvious and straightforward. Additionally, Gleen Llopis states in a Youtube video that a “personal brand is the essence of leadership.” Lastly, the findings from the research study, “The effect of social media on personal branding efforts of top-level executives,” reveal “With a well-planned brand management on social media, and with a high level of engagement, top-level executives of companies may create value both themselves and the other brands of their company.”
Conclusion
Overall, the facts are social media allows leaders the opportunity to present their leadership through engagement and interpersonal connection, and also practically through personal branding. Socail media also amplifies leadership presence through engagement and interpersonal connection. This means its a technology that can have practical benefits in terms of leaders promoting, branding or advertising themselves.
– Elorm Ocansey
References
Barton, D., Grant, A., & Horn, M. (2012). Leading in the 21st century. (cover story). Mckinsey Quarterly, (3), 30-47.
Kahai, S. (n.d.). Yes, Leadership Changes in a Web 2.0 World. Retrieved November 06, 2017,from http://www.leadingvirtually.com/yes-leadership-changes-in-a-web-20-world/
Flury, C. (. (2017). Claiming the Corner Office. Social Media as a Leadership Tool for Nurse Executives. Nursing Economic$, 35272-275.
Llopis, G. (2013, April 08). Personal Branding Is A Leadership Requirement, Not a Self Promotion Campaign. Retrieved November 06, 2017, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2013/04/08/personal-branding-is-a-leadershiprequirement-not-a-self-promotion-campaign/#2fc1cde226fa
Llopis, G. [Glenn Llopis]. (2013, April 3). Personal Branding for Leaders [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=RzKajy6WaBs
Karaduman, İ. (2013). The Effect of Social Media on Personal Branding Efforts of Top Level Executives. Procedia – Social And Behavioral Sciences, 99(The Proceedings of 9th International Strategic Management Conference), 465-473. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.515
Leadership & the Network Revolution 