The Role of social media in a Leader’s Life-What I gained

I started a while ago to be consistent on a few chosen social media handles.

It was a new muscle to develop.

There were pains and hiccups, too.

I felt encouraged by the responses and engagements, and it fueled my new habits around social media.

I kept a few guidelines for myself-

• Social media is a tool. It is not my life.
• I do not live on it or through it.
• It is not a substitute for real conversations.

These have been my gains that I have observed while being active on social media for sometime now:

1. I made significant connections

• As a coach and teacher, I wish to be ‘out there’ connecting with my audience.
• If I am not visible people cannot access my courses, coaching or other resources I put out.
• As I wish to connect and reach people, I have created so many free resources that people value.
• Those who access them write back about how they benefit with my posts – @Bindu Krishna kumar ” I  loved our zoom call – we finally met.  It has been great enriching each other’s conversations on LinkedIn.”

2. I started new conversations

The conversations I initiated explored themes such as

• Questions I ask or get asked.
• Ideas I solicit and what I give others.
• Feedback I wish to have and what I provide others.
• Collaborations I wish to start.
• Collaborations I am offered.

3. I seeded a new thought process in my audience

• I work with leaders to build impact through relational intelligence.
• I also work at the cusp of psychology and leadership.
• I promote ideas from that thought space. Some are ideas that challenge the regular discourse of dog-eats-dog, life is about hustle, and more is better.

By being on various platforms, I got an opportunity to provoke, stimulate, and promote a healthy, sustainable approach to leadership. Some of my blogs, which highlight these thoughts, are How to Keep Boundaries Between Your Personal and Professional Life Post Pandemic?  & How to Make Workplaces Happier and More Fulfilling

4. I get to acknowledge my network

• I have worked as a collaborator in running psychotherapy groups for 10 years. I do this with @Ragini Rao from Infinum Growth.
• I have co-facilitated a recent course #TheDaringWay with @ Deepa Pulipati who I met in a coach network #Shemantran.
• I have created digital product #Riseup with colleagues like @Jacintha Jayachandran.
• These platforms allow me to shine a light on these wonderful professionals. It has led me to more collaborations.  Being a solopreneur with a small team I value such opportunities to work with other likeminded people.
• I also get acknowledged by others and it feels good. I receive glowing testimonials and it makes my day.

As leaders and coaches, we need appreciation too. The need for recognition is a basic human need. Much needed for our self-esteem and our health. Social media can prove to be very helpful for leaders.

5. I build my identity

• What does a psychologist do in corporate?
• What exactly is coaching?
• How do I coach leaders, for what kind of issues?
• What is my approach to living and leading?

By being on social media I can explain and illustrate my identity with each post. I can say who I am, what I do and how I work. Social media has provided an expanded canvas beyond my website.

6. I have expanded my lens

• Social media presence has led to learning and expanding my perspectives.
• Common trends come to focus for example ‘quiet quitting’ ‘the great resignation’
• Thought leaders’ views expand my view.
• I am provoked by bold conversations that we may hesitate to table.

@Madhumita Venkatraman, @Veena Sethuraman you do this so well. I learn about sales from @Pritha and her 60 sec tips.  From @Jermina I learn about brand and marketing stories. From @Madhura Dasgupta how to take your brand places. From @Neeraja I learn the value of networking. From @Sunita Biddu how to get serious about one’s business!

I belong to several Linked in groups. One such I wish to highlight is the #Shemantra group created by @Shilpa Ajwani. This group of talented coaches and healers created a Linkathon on Women’s Day 2022.We published a free ebook called Grace & Gravitas that had some great contributions.

In the recent #Shefest I witnessed teamwork par excellence. A 1-day conference of top-class speakers.  Even though I was at a distance from any organizing I was part of the flow of energy of creation and generosity. I am wired to belong, and social media groups support this need.

7. I have enhanced my authority and impact

During the pandemic, I offered a 10-day group on self-care for leadership. 1700 registrations in 3 days and 350-400 people on call each day.
I didn’t know I could do interventions with such big numbers. Many webinars over 2021-22 had large groups. The impact was deeply meaningful, with people feeling supported, engaged, and open to learning.

I increased my authority as an expert, a teacher, a mental health professional and a coach. My authority as a multi-dimensional professional got strengthened.

I believe I have not lost anything by being on social media.

I am a private person and I have kept a boundary to my sharing. Having my social media personality resonate with my real self has been a great choice. Social media presence does not stress me as I do what I can and in the spirit of what fits for me.

8. Built a list

Marketing gurus speak of the impact of email marketing. Through the creation of various short-form products, giveaways, and resource posts on social media, my subscriber list has steadily grown as they seek these resources. That, apart from LinkedIn newsletters, my WhatsApp broadcast groups, and emailers, I have seen organic growth in my subscriber base. Since I teach and facilitate publicly announced programmes and coaching groups, having a list to send information to has been a great asset.

Leaders who are in organizations can benefit from being on social media in these ways

• Creating a network with an audience beyond their organization.
• Grow their possibility to connect with teams and other parts of their own organization that is beyond their span
• Build an identity as thought leader in their industry.
• Collaborate on events and reach varied professionals way beyond the circle at work.
• Get a pulse of what is going on in the world of work and their industry.
• Be seen as real, human and accessible.

What have been your gains from being on different platforms? Would love to know your experience from the social media.