4 ways executive leaders benefit from active ESN participation
In a recent conversation with a group of Internal Communications professionals that I work with, they expressed their frustrations that the executive leaders in their region aren’t posting regularly on the company’s recently-launched enterprise social network (ESN).
“When I go to LinkedIn,” one of them shared, “I see my leaders posting there. They could be posting some of that same stuff on the company’s social network, but they don’t. Why?”
There’s a clear value to executive leaders from a social network like LinkedIn. This is where their peers are, where other leaders in their industry exchange ideas, where they build their personal brands as experts in their fields and champions of their personal causes. If execs can clearly see the value in external social networks, how do we get them to see similar value and personal benefit from actively engaging in their enterprise social networks?
In my mind, there are at least 4 key benefits that executive leaders can instantly receive from ESN participation and engagement.
Benefit #1
Pulse – I.e., getting a read on what your people are talking about, needing, lacking, wanting, etc. Formal surveys are good, but not always necessary and survey results don’t always present the ‘real’ story. Asking a question on the ESN and seeing real-time feedback from real voices is more valuable and often more actionable than static data collected from a formal survey. When the two tactics are paired, the real-life ESN insights that survey data doesn’t always show can be instrumental in determining what to do with survey results.
Benefit #2
Personhood – Employees have a tendency to deify or enshrine their leadership. In their eyes, you are most likely seen as the Wizard of Oz; but your people really need to see you as the man behind the curtain. Not some great and powerful leader that they have only heard rumors of or have to jump through hoops to receive audience with, but a real-live person who walks on the same ground they do. What struggles do you have, what business problems are you solving, what books do you read, what do you do in your spare time? What are you passionate about? Who. Are. You. Even?
Benefit #3
Culture – What are the values that your organization promotes? What are your values as a leader? Do your people know what your values are? Can they point to you demonstrating those values on a regular, everyday basis – not via grand initiatives or pronouncements, but just your daily going about? For instance, if curiosity is one of your company’s values – what little things are you doing to be curious throughout the day or week and how can you share that more openly?
Benefit #4
Problem-solving – What’s asked in the open gets answered much more quickly and effectively. As a leader, you don’t have all the answers. You shouldn’t. But if you’re only taking your business problems to your lieutenants or the other execs in your immediate circle, you’re not tapping into the power of the network of bright, capable, experienced employees in your organization. You’re also missing an opportunity to demonstrate how problem-solving can be a community-wide effort. Pose some of your current business challenges on the ESN and watch how the answers and ideas start flowing. Also – this gives the entire organization to feel like they’re a part of what’s happening, that their voices and opinions could influence the company’s leaders and decision makers.
Without question, today’s executives are busier than ever, so posting on their company’s social network can feel like just one more thing to do. But when execs reframe the benefits of participating in their organization’s internal network, it quickly becomes apparent that the ESN is an untapped opportunity for the savvy digital leader.
Kisha Solomon is an Atlanta-based writer, knowledge worker and serial expat. She writes witty, poignant stories about the lessons she’s learned from her life, work and travels. She deals with the sometimes frustrating and often humorous side effects of being black, female and nerdy. When she’s not writing working or travelling, you can find her in deep conversation with herself or her four-legged familiar, Taurus the Cat. www.lifeworktravels.com
