As one of my company’s social media leads, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with a wide range of people about social media. From our most senior VPs to senior executives within the government to our summer interns, every group has their own set of questions, concerns, and pre-conceived notions about social media and what it means for them. Over time though, I’ve realized that they all one thing in common. They could all agree on one thing.
Social media is scary. 
Let me tell you why. Businesses and our government are structured in a very hierarchical way – everyone is part of an org chart, everyone has a boss, and everyone is working to get to the next level. Why? Because inevitably, the next level brings more pay, more power, more respect, and more influence. In the current organizational structure, everyone’s role is nicely identified on the org chart and with that, there is a structured way to act. Raise your hand if you’ve ever said or have been told something like, “you can’t contact him directly – get in touch with your manager first,” or “draft an email for me to send to him,” or even better, “talk to “Public Affairs and Legal to get that approved before sending it out.”
The problem with this structure is that social media renders these traditional roles and responsibilities obsolete. It introduces unpredictability and opportunity, unauthorized emails and tremendous insights, inappropriate language and humor. Social media gives everyone a voice, whether they want it or not.
That’s a scary concept.
- For junior employees – “Yeah, that’s great that I can start a blog that everyone in the organization can read, but what will I say? What if my grammar is wrong or I spell something wrong – will people think I can’t write? What if I disagree with something that my manager says? What if I write too much and my boss wonders why I wasn’t working? I don’t know – I’ll have to really think about it.”
- For developers, programmers and other IT staff – “Ummm, I became an IT programmer because I hate people. I don’t like speaking out, and really enjoy just coding and sticking to myself. Now, you’re making me blog about my work? I have to post my code to a wiki? But, I can’t – it’s not ready for prime time yet. I can’t just post draft content out there – let me get my manager to review this first.”
- For managers – “So, how much time is my staff going to be spending blogging/reading blogs rather than doing actual work? If my staff have questions about their project, their career, or their work environment, I want them coming to me, not blogging about it for the whole world to see. I’ve got an MBA and have been with the organization for five years – why would I put my work out there for people to change and mess up?”
- For senior leadership – “What happens when people start using these platforms to just complain about everything? Why would I want to give everyone a place to whine about every little thing that’s bothering them? I can’t possibly keep up with every comment, question, and suggestion that goes up – I don’t have the time to do that!”
At the heart of all these questions is an underlying fear of the unexpected. People now have a voice, a freedom to say what they want and talk to whomever they want.
In the traditional business culture of org charts, everyone is relegated to their role and everyone lives by that – it is very easy (and fits nicely onto a PowerPoint slide). Before we had social media at my organization, if we got an email from someone we didn’t know, all we had to go on was their directory listing – “ohhh, I just got an email from one of our Principals – I’ll have to ask my manager if it’s ok to respond directly to them or not.” Now, I can click on anyone’s name and see not only their entire bio and a picture, but also their entire history of contributed intellectual capital(IC). I can see their blog postings, their wiki edits, their bookmarks, and their skillset. I’ve gotten this a lot lately as people within my organization have tried to say that they’re social media “experts” yet I can click on their name and find out they haven’t blogged, they’ve made one wiki edit, and they’ve only logged into our social media platform once. Really? You’re a social media “expert?” Thanks, but I’ll pass and contact the guy in San Diego who has been editing the wiki like a fiend, adding great IC on social media.
Social media allows people to easily subvert the traditional organizational hierarchy. Whereas that title or degree that followed your name used to be all the authority you needed, you’re now being judged by what, if anything, you’ve contributed. I’ve run into quite a few senior PhDs who turned out to be brilliant and just as many who left me asking how they got through undergrad – I now have more information at my disposal to make my own determination before I ever even meet them. This transparency scares people because they’re now forced to show their skills and demonstrate their expertise.
Social media gives employees an unprecedented ability to use their voice to gain credibility, influence, and power within the organization – for better or for worse. Junior employees can quickly become valued and respected or suspended and reprimanded members of the organization because they now have a voice. Middle managers can lose their power and credibility if they don’t use their voice. Senior leaders can lose total control of their organization if they don’t listen to these voices.
No matter what level you’re at, social media can be very scary. On the other hand, it can be an incredible opportunity. Will you face your fears and take advantage of the opportunity or hide from the fear it instills?
*Image Courtesy of Flickr user Ack Ook*
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Yes, social media is scary! But organizations that don’t adapt are going to shrink if not die. Look at the heritage media – they finally start to get blogging about five years too late to save their business model. We all must be constantly learning and contributing to keep up with the fast-changing nature of work – that is scary, and exhilarating.
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Yes, social media is scary! But organizations that don’t adapt are going to shrink if not die. Look at the heritage media – they finally start to get blogging about five years too late to save their business model. We all must be constantly learning and contributing to keep up with the fast-changing nature of work – that is scary, and exhilarating.
at
Is there a Part 2 to this? Because all of those issues you posed as questions from various people are valid concerns from their point of view. Right now, this seems a very long winded way to say ‘social media is scary.’ Fine, but how do you answer those questions? How do you move people from that place to realizing that the benefits might be worth it? WHY are the benefits worth it? Why, in your own organization, are there people who don’t use social media?
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Is there a Part 2 to this? Because all of those issues you posed as questions from various people are valid concerns from their point of view. Right now, this seems a very long winded way to say ‘social media is scary.’ Fine, but how do you answer those questions? How do you move people from that place to realizing that the benefits might be worth it? WHY are the benefits worth it? Why, in your own organization, are there people who don’t use social media?
at
Rick – good point. I provided no solutions for how to approach these people and get them engaged. I thought about that as I was writing this, but it turned out to be pretty long already. I’ll follow this up with some more about how I illustrate the benefits of being transparent.
As for my organization, there are a lot of people who don’t use social media, primarily for the reasons I’ve outlined above. But, there’s also an added element of the fact that more than half of the employees in my organization are based on client site so they’re pretty removed from the culture of our organization. They don’t see/live the benefits of networking with other Booz Allen employees every day, whether that’s physical or virtual. These people are also very focused on working 100% of their time on billable client work. They’re very hesitant (valid point) to use the Booz Allen network while they’re on client site, even if it would benefit their work. They’re also not as inclined (obviously) to log into our network after they get home to read blogs or edit a wiki. We’re actively working to show these people the benefits of using social media behind the firewall and how it can be used to work smarter.
Great points Rick and I hope to address them in the future.
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There is a reason why many liken social media engagement with diving into a swimming pool. Don’t wade, don’t splash your feet, and don’t hold your nose when going underwater.
The moment fear takes control, it’s hard to continue.
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“social media is like diving into a swimming pool” – good analogy Ari. I also like to use “social media is like taking a band-aid off – just rip it and go!”
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There is a reason why many liken social media engagement with diving into a swimming pool. Don’t wade, don’t splash your feet, and don’t hold your nose when going underwater.
The moment fear takes control, it’s hard to continue.
at
“social media is like diving into a swimming pool” – good analogy Ari. I also like to use “social media is like taking a band-aid off – just rip it and go!”
at
Absolutely, social media is scary. It is part of the organisations’ environment where it is an opportunity when not managed well could be disastrous. It is also a threat that could be turned into an opportunity. Continuously scanning for changes in an organisations’ environment and adapting to those changes that matter is key to a competitive advantage.
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Moses – the part of the organization that makes it scary is the fundamental business rule of “don’t take chances.” The government is not a risk-taking organization – people are typically not only not rewarded for taking risks, they’re often punished severely. This is why so much of why everything gets classified as Top Secret – no one ever gets mad if you over-classify something, but if you under-classify something, you get fired or arrested. Now, between those options, wouldn’t you also go the conservative route too? It’s hard to break through that mental barrier.
at
Absolutely, social media is scary. It is part of the organisations’ environment where it is an opportunity when not managed well could be disastrous. It is also a threat that could be turned into an opportunity. Continuously scanning for changes in an organisations’ environment and adapting to those changes that matter is key to a competitive advantage.
at
Moses – the part of the organization that makes it scary is the fundamental business rule of “don’t take chances.” The government is not a risk-taking organization – people are typically not only not rewarded for taking risks, they’re often punished severely. This is why so much of why everything gets classified as Top Secret – no one ever gets mad if you over-classify something, but if you under-classify something, you get fired or arrested. Now, between those options, wouldn’t you also go the conservative route too? It’s hard to break through that mental barrier.
at
Excellent article about why companies should develop strategies for social media.
I was afraid of social media not so long ago. I place a high value on my personal life and didn’t want to be “over exposed”. Boy, was I wrong!
As a solo-prenuer and designer, I have changed my philosophy about social media/network. While I’m still guarded about my private life, I find social media networks a vital to connecting with my peers, friends, clients and potential clients.
at
It’s a difficult balance – some people have been very successful keeping a split of personal and professional lives. I find it very difficult to do so, but that’s how I use it. Others use social media very differently. Do what works for you. I know one person who has their entire family on a Facebook group – that’s how everyone from Grandma to the eight-year-old grandson plans events and stays connected with one another. That same person also uses FB as a valuable networking tool for business purposes.
at
Excellent article about why companies should develop strategies for social media.
I was afraid of social media not so long ago. I place a high value on my personal life and didn’t want to be “over exposed”. Boy, was I wrong!
As a solo-prenuer and designer, I have changed my philosophy about social media/network. While I’m still guarded about my private life, I find social media networks a vital to connecting with my peers, friends, clients and potential clients.
at
It’s a difficult balance – some people have been very successful keeping a split of personal and professional lives. I find it very difficult to do so, but that’s how I use it. Others use social media very differently. Do what works for you. I know one person who has their entire family on a Facebook group – that’s how everyone from Grandma to the eight-year-old grandson plans events and stays connected with one another. That same person also uses FB as a valuable networking tool for business purposes.
at
For me, social media is very exciting and not scary at all. I was taught at a very young age to choose my words carefully, be kind and be respectful. You can disagree with someone without being rude or mean. The golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated has just as much validity on this platform as it does anywhere. We have an opportunity to communicate, share and learn from on another more powerfully than ever before. Let’s do so and build a brighter future for all.
at
For me, social media is very exciting and not scary at all. I was taught at a very young age to choose my words carefully, be kind and be respectful. You can disagree with someone without being rude or mean. The golden rule of treating others the way you want to be treated has just as much validity on this platform as it does anywhere. We have an opportunity to communicate, share and learn from on another more powerfully than ever before. Let’s do so and build a brighter future for all.
at
You mention the IT folks having issues with social media, but you focus on developers and programmers. How about network security folks? Every time “our side” has a social media breakthrough with our senior leadership, somebody in the network security shop sends out a link to a pessimistic article like this:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485925,00.html
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You mention the IT folks having issues with social media, but you focus on developers and programmers. How about network security folks? Every time “our side” has a social media breakthrough with our senior leadership, somebody in the network security shop sends out a link to a pessimistic article like this:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,485925,00.html
at
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Cool – I have groupies 🙂 RT @textilejunkie: RT @sradick Why Social Media is Scary [link to post] I’m a new groupie of Steve Radick’s
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