In addition to writing HR Bartender, I’ve become very interested in other social media applications like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. I enjoy the relationships I’ve made and the information I’ve learned as a result of being connected with such a diverse group of people.
Being on social media has taught me a lot. About myself and other people. Here are three things I’ve learned through my social media experiences.
You have to grow some thick skin. There are days I’m amazed at the stuff people say on social media. Alexandra Levit recently wrote a post titled Google is Forever about the long lasting impact of comments. It’s an excellent read and so true. It reminded me of a personal example: I was recently quoted (along with many other HR pros) in a Reader’s Digest article. The reactions I’ve seen to the article have mostly been positive. One private group I’m a member of ripped the article apart … and the people who were quoted. They probably didn’t realize someone who had been quoted was in the group and reading all of their comments – many of which I perceived as rather mean-spirited. Or maybe they did. I must say one part of me wanted to send a message to the group but then I realized I needed to let it go. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I guess a private group is the appropriate place to express it.
Silence is golden. We all know there are things better left unsaid. Do you really need to tell the whole world you’re unfriending someone?! Sometimes quietly taking action is best. Then there’s the tweet from a widely known business figure talking about urinating on the toilet seat. Really?! Seriously, I don’t need to know that. Leaving a little piece of yourself private won’t hurt anyone’s feelings. I’ve always thought there’s greater impact behind what people don’t talk about instead of what they do.
Choose your rants carefully. Like everyone else, there are things that push my buttons. Things that I get really frustrated about. But every frustration I have is not a future blog post or a tweet. It reminds me of those employees who complain all the time about everything. Over time, their complaints have less credibility because it’s just one in a long lost list of other complaints. What’s that old saying? Pick your battles…
Who knows, maybe these will help if you’ve ever seen something on social media that either makes your blood boil or looks completely wacky and you’re wondering if you should comment. Or you can forward this to a couple of friends who you’ve seen jump into conversations they probably should have walked away from.
What have you learned being on social media? Please share your words of wisdom in the comments.
Image courtesy of mfinleydesigns
Young says
I really like the second tip that Silence is golden, since sometimes I just regret for what I have said.
doug_eike says
Working the social media is a study unto itself. I’ve yet to discover how to turn social-media contacts into blog traffic, but you’re are correct in cautioning silence and emphasizing courtesy. We must remember that everything we do on the social-media sites goes out for everyone to see, and retractions are difficult or impossible. Thanks for the tips!
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for the comments. Using social media is a never-ending lesson for us all.
Ed Han says
Sharlyn, I love those lessons & have learned them myself more than once.
One lesson I’ve learned time & again is that no matter how [x] I may think I am, there’s always someone [X]er. Always. And this isn’t about humility: it’s about scope, because [X] can be positive, negative or neutral.
Sharlyn Lauby says
So true Ed…so true…
chris aka newresource says
Ah, I thought I was the only one, I am new to all this too, and have noticed the same stuff. Well put.
Thanks
Leilani says
I definetly agree with your point about social media. Also, I was looking around on Twitter the other day and saw a woman who tweeted every location she was at, had been, and that included her own home address! I was surprised to see how open and uncautious she was (mainly shocked she didn’t realize this is unsafe). It is funny how many people still do not filter themselves via social media. Yes, social media is a powerful networking tool. Yes, social media is fun to gain updates and events; however there is always a time and place to say things via social media.
Donald Suess says
***crickets*** (How do you comment a non-comment?)
Art Petty says
Sharlyn, I’m truly enjoying your great posts! Thanks for the inspiring and motivating reads.
This one reminded me of an environment (pre-social media) where daily e-mail wars would erupt, precipitated by a few rabble rousers and the abuse of the “Reply All” command. I adopted a “just move away from the keyboard” perspective and taught my team members the same. Sometimes it’s better to say nothing, especially when emotions run high. Mom’s advice was right here…”If you don’t have something good…” Come to think of it, Mom was always right. We would all be well served to heed her advice.
Best, -Art
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks everyone for the kind words and comments.
Art’s comparison to email is spot on. Stepping away from the keyboard is sound advice. It’s unfortunate that at times we have to do some CYA and put things out in email that are better said in person. But, we’ll save that discussion for another post…
And, Leilani brings up a good point about balancing personal and professional. I don’t have an issue with people talking about what they ate for breakfast, etc. I equate it to the small talk that happens around the office. It’s when people cross the line and talk about things they would never discuss in person that I really start to wonder.
Zach Kristensen says
Like the comments on Social Media. Reminded me about a book I finished recently. “Great Work Great Career,” by Stephen R Covey and Jennifer Colosimo. Talked about how to help and contribute to people in Social Media instead of the industrial age idea of viewing them as tools.
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for sharing Zach. Hope you don’t mind that I added the link. 😉
Jason Pereira says
Few things I learned from social media:
On the subject of ‘silence is golden’, at times we find our audience is silent when we fail to receive feedback/comments on FB, blogs etc. At this point we may want to assess our contributions towards social media as silence in itself conveys a message.
As far as choosing rants are concerned, we need to ‘court the right attention’ on social media. Participate only in communities/discussions that are beneficial and not anywhere and everywhere.
Source: ‘Getting Social with Social Media’ (http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/24/work-smart-getting-social-with-social-media.html)
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for the comment and resource Jason. I like your point about choosing the right community. At times, I find people chasing after the “cool kids table” instead of what benefits them.
Carl Mueller says
Hi Sharlyn
I think I’ve learned a fair bit of things through social media too and I loved your list.
I’m going a bit off topic but with the Internet in general (email especially) I’ve found that it’s made people really lazy too. I often notice that people respond to an email without starting it with a simple “Hi Sharlyn” and simply just respond with no salutation. Pet peeve of mine, I guess.
Carl
Sharlyn Lauby says
Thanks for the comment Carl. I agree with you that email is much more casual which is a challenge because it’s used so often in business. And now texting is becoming business acceptable…
Stan says
This is just a diversified world with diversified people. just be open to these diversifications.