Even as a socially awkward child, I always wondered how
the tortoise defeated the hare.
Robert F Kennedy would most likely answer that it is “only those who dare to fail greatly that can ever achieve greatly.” Obviously the rookie with a higher risk of losing, the tortoise was able to ultimately win the race because he not only stuck his neck out when it counted, but also remained engaged in the race.
Robert F Kennedy would most likely answer that it is “only those who dare to fail greatly that can ever achieve greatly.” Obviously the rookie with a higher risk of losing, the tortoise was able to ultimately win the race because he not only stuck his neck out when it counted, but also remained engaged in the race.
In socially awkward terms, engagement is how you take a risk and use your unique perks for the success of your business or cause. Engagement is one of three qualities for the open world by Don
Tapscott that empowers and liberates its members toward a more transparent,
nimble, and engaged social business.
A recent study by the Altimeter Group, “Guarding the
Social Gates: The Imperative for Social Media Risk Management,” found that two
thirds of the surveyed companies considered social media as a risk to their
brand reputation. Amongst these companies, research found that only 60% of the
employees were either barely or not trained at all about social media. The data
demonstrates the direct relationship between risk or uncertainty and the
engagement of the employees, as the benefits from a higher level of engagement
and knowledge can potentially reduce the costs of risk.
Fearing risk is natural, as adopting new social media initiatives requires a certain degree in the loss of control, or rather an exchange of control into the hands of the employees. For example, the ideal case of employee engagement would be complete freedom for an employee within your social business to have the opportunity to implement their ideas and changes that would mutually benefit both parties.
Professor Issac Getz presents the case for how to liberate your company by creating a working environment for:
Fearing risk is natural, as adopting new social media initiatives requires a certain degree in the loss of control, or rather an exchange of control into the hands of the employees. For example, the ideal case of employee engagement would be complete freedom for an employee within your social business to have the opportunity to implement their ideas and changes that would mutually benefit both parties.
Professor Issac Getz presents the case for how to liberate your company by creating a working environment for:
- Intrinsic equality: Trust within the company or in yourself.
- Personal growth: Reflect and develop own skills and ideas.
- Self- direction: Allow change to happen and trust it is for the better.
I definitely recommend to watch his talk!
However, too much of a good thing can produce risks of
its own.
As socially awkward rookies, it is important to keep in mind how you are engaging with social media, especially so you do not turn into…a nightmare.
As socially awkward rookies, it is important to keep in mind how you are engaging with social media, especially so you do not turn into…a nightmare.
(Note: It only gets worse. You can stop watching it if it gets too painful. I understand.)
Yes, it was a bit dramatic, but I hope this did not scare
you into becoming more socially reclusive from social media or forced you to make a life
decision of never having children.
Jonathan Fields also writes about the dark side of too
much engagement or being too hyper connected in his article, “Creative
Kryptonite and the Death of Productivity.” He takes the position that being too
connected can be kryptonite for your creativity and create an illusion of
productivity.
Just because you can reply back to Facebook
notifications within a minute does not qualify you as a social genius, but
rather makes me want to recommend that you reevaluate your priorities…and your
life. (Obviously, I am talking to myself here.) However, Fields makes a valid
argument that engagement in social media and being “wired in” gives you the perception
of being productive. Especially with the advent of the Internet, our perception
of time has become slightly skewed, as we want to be active of every waking
moment. But the human mind needs cognitive focus and temporal space to produce
great work. Just ask the big man upstairs… God had eons to create the universe
and all the wonderful things that come with it- from twinkies to human beings.
Being hyper connected and engaged in your community not only gives you the illusion of getting stuff done, but more dangerously, gives you the feeling of it, thus inhibiting your creativity and putting yourself into an endless cycle of false engagement.
Ask yourself this: What have you done today?
If it were me, I couldn’t even tell you…sent some emails about this and that, ran to class, talked to… hmmmm. Oh wait, I just got a text.
Being hyper connected and engaged in your community not only gives you the illusion of getting stuff done, but more dangerously, gives you the feeling of it, thus inhibiting your creativity and putting yourself into an endless cycle of false engagement.
Ask yourself this: What have you done today?
If it were me, I couldn’t even tell you…sent some emails about this and that, ran to class, talked to… hmmmm. Oh wait, I just got a text.
That, my friend, is called intermittent reinforcement.
Kevin Hoffman describes intermittent reinforcement as:
"Every time your
phone vibrates to alert you of the possibility of something interesting,
exciting, or even mundane (but new) – your brain is getting what psychologists
call a “Dopamine squirt”. Over time, your brain links the phone vibration,
ring, or the “new SMS” tone to a brief release of dopamine. You feel this tiny
little rush of excitement that feels like adrenaline every time your phone
vibrates, jingles, rings, or otherwise begs for your attention…[in which you]
actually suffer mild withdrawal symptoms…You get fidgety, anxious, bored, etc."
Lab rats are also conditioned with intermittent
reinforcement, in which feeding tubes can be activated by a button and
sometimes gives them food. Therefore, if you really want to think about it, we
are the virtual lab rats of the social world with our feeding tubes replaced
with news feed and text messages.
As a socially awkward rookie, you may be wiping off the sweat from your brows, as you may have escaped the perils behind social media engagement and hyperconnectivity. Or if you are one that enjoys the occasional dopamine squirt now and then, you are not a virtual lab rat, so do not let the risks deter you away from your goals within social business. However, it is imperative to beware of these risky, pervasive behaviors to understand that developing your own virtual voice and remaining engaged requires you to have some space from the cyberspace.
As an ending note, I want to leave you with a question from Frank Scully:
Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?
I think the tortoise would agree.
Best wishes,
Ujin
Ujin
Sources:
http://sloanreview.mit.edu/improvisations/2012/08/30/risky-social-business/#.UH4G5UJyiFd
http://www.elsua.net/2012/07/25/liberate-your-company-through-employee-engagement/
http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/creative-kryptonite-and-the-death-of-productivity/
http://sloanreview.mit.edu/improvisations/2012/08/30/risky-social-business/#.UH4G5UJyiFd
http://www.elsua.net/2012/07/25/liberate-your-company-through-employee-engagement/
http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/creative-kryptonite-and-the-death-of-productivity/
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