Our guest blogger today is Rick Champ. Rick is the Director of Partnership Development for Illini Christian Ministries. Many of our readers are familiar with Rick’s many Facebook posts of pictures from the road and his tweets from the road. Rick is a natural networker and so I am not surprised at all that he is advocate of social media. Below Rick is going to share what he has learned along the way. Rick has left contact information at the end of the blog so that you can contact him directly with questions or comments.
Next month we will have another guest blogger talking about how he created a smart board (interactive teaching device) with an old video projector, a laptop, and Wii Remote. We will have that posted on Oct 1. If you have ideas for future blog topics email me at bmonts@lincolnchristian.edu and we will get right on it. The Hargrove Leadership Institute sight wants to a resource that you will want to utilize; so input is needed.
Now here is Rick…
A Few Lessons Learned Along The Way…
Let me begin with a confession (always good to start with a confession, right?). I am not an early adopter of technology. Last century I was among the last of my friends to start using email regularly. I was also among one of the last of my friends to start using a cell phone, and I was late upgrading to a smart phone. So it may not surprise you when I say I was a late adopter of any social media—Facebook, Twitter, et al. Though I’m a bona fide late adopter, I have come to fully embrace the potential of social media for helping leaders connect, communicate, and form collaborations. Here are a few lessons that I have learned (and still learning) along the way as I explore the use social media to strengthen connections and relationships.
is another way of doing what we have always done—Let’s clear up one thing right off. Social networking existed long before anyone dreamed up the first platform for what became social media. Social networking is what we do, what people have always done, every day as we interact with each other, build relationships, and share life. It began the moment God said, “Let us make human beings in our image.” (Gensis 1:26). God is a relational being (think Trinity) and part of the imago dei in us is being relational beings. So you have always been social networking. All leadership, and all ministry, requires networking. So when you think about using social media, think of it as another way of doing what you have always done—getting to know people, sharing ideas, finding common interests, learning from each other. So the question is how will we use social media to continue doing what we have always done, just a little differently?
It’s not all about me…it’s about we—Wasn’t sure if I needed to say this, but thought I better state the obvious. I mean, it is called social media, right? But just as some people only talk about themselves, their ideas, what they are doing, the same happens in the realm. Do share what is going on in your life. It is a great way for people to get a glimpse into your life and know you better, to discover what you care about and what is important to you. But also take time to learn about others and what is going on in their lives. Be sure and comment and respond to what others are posting. This give and take is how relationships are built and a great way of giving encouragement.
Another thing I like about social media is how it is also a great way to share ideas, resources, and connections. I have discovered some great authors and artists and interesting leaders by reading articles and listening to music that my friends have shared. I may never have discovered them on my own. This is why I post/tweet as many links as I do. If I find it interesting, I hope that some of my friends will, as well. It also gives me the opportunity to highlight what other leaders are doing in their life and community. This allows friends in my network to discover a new idea, or a new resource, or a new contact to learn from and connect with. Likewise, I am now friends with people because another friend connected us via social media. That’s why I also look for ways to connect my friends together from different parts of my life. I look for those who have a common interest or who I think will benefit from knowing each other, and I connect them. What are you sharing with those in your network? Who are you connecting?
It takes time, but you have the time (if you want)—Anyone reading this is already busy. So I get to the point—to use social media to strengthen connections and build relationships takes time. But probably not as much time as you think. And, quite honestly, you have the time if you choose to have the time. Leaders choose everyday where to give their time. If social media is an effective tool for connecting, and more and more people are using it, I think you will find time to engage it at some level. Would a leader say, “I just don’t have time to use the telephone.” Or, “I just don’t have time to use email.” Social media is another form of communication, and one that allows you to connect with more people in less time. Just as the telephone, and email, altered the method of how we communicate, social media is altering it once again. Be intentional about finding time, and you will find the time.
It is a tool, an effective tool, for social networking but just a tool—Social media is a great tool for getting to know people, sharing ideas, connecting people together. But it is just a tool. Think of how it was used so dramatically during the recent Arab Spring to organize and share ideas. But without the ideas to share, without the common cause to rally around, without the relational network to build, what difference would it have made? As leader you have a ideas, you are a part of a cause, you are a part of a network of people and groups that need to be connected and organized. Social media is a great tool for this. But don’t confuse the tool and your use of it for what is most important.
One final lesson—This will be short. Always let it bring you together face-to-face. For those I first meet on Twitter or Facebook, I usually joke that it is always good to finally meet in 3-D. Whether the meeting is between you and another person, or a meet-up with a group, social media is best when we allow it to be a tool that brings us together in person. As powerful as online communication and connection can be, it will never replace the face-to-face encounter.
These are just a few lessons I’m learning. What lessons are you learning as you embrace and engage social media where you lead? I would be interested in hearing about them. Look forward to connecting with you, whether online or in person.
