Email and social media enhance communication but can lead to misunderstandings; using the B.I.F.F. method—Brief, Informative, Friendly, and Firm—helps you respond effectively to hostile messages without escalating conflict.
Charlene Li highlights Pope Francis as a model of engaged leadership, using social media to connect with ordinary Catholics and embodying confidence, humility, and a genuine desire to serve, encouraging leaders to bridge power gaps and engage authentically with their audiences.
Engaging stakeholders through two-way dialogue is crucial for effective leadership, as demonstrated by a CEO who used Twitter for public interaction, highlighting transparency while also necessitating careful planning to avoid potential PR pitfalls.
Broadcasting information often neglects audience needs, while effective sharing involves listening and aligning with common goals, as demonstrated by Cisco leaders who use technology to foster relationships and communicate authentically.
Charlene Li emphasizes that instead of mastering specific social media tools, leaders should prioritize engaging their audience through strategic listening, informed priority-setting, and effective communication, as social media platforms will continue to evolve.
Arianna Huffington emphasizes the importance of auditing our lives for wisdom, promoting deep sleep for better decision-making, and communicating thoughtfully while letting go of energy-draining elements to connect with our inner intuition and creativity.
Pre-suasion, based on the psychological concept of priming, highlights how prior experiences shape our attention and emotional responses, and Cialdini presents two techniques: emphasizing self-relevance in messaging and using mystery to engage potential customers’ need for closure.
In “Influence: The Science of Persuasion,” Robert Cialdini identifies six principles—reciprocity, liking, authority, social proof, scarcity, and commitment/consistency—that enhance message acceptance and can be effectively utilized in “pre-suading” audiences before a project or pitch.
Research indicates that social media can reduce loneliness and enhance professional networking when used to nurture relationships, and in a video lesson, Michelle Tillis Lederman shares strategies for effective online and in-person connections.
In a video lesson, Professor Yuval Harari emphasizes the need for safeguards against AI’s potential to undermine public trust and democratic dialogue, advocating for transparency in AI identities and corporate accountability to combat misinformation while preserving genuine human expression.
Entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes the importance of adapting marketing strategies in real-time by monitoring consumer attention, utilizing underpriced attention opportunities, and fostering creativity and self-awareness to effectively engage audiences across various platforms.
In “The Flight of Icarus,” Daedalus warns his son Icarus against hubris, but Icarus’ overconfidence leads to his tragic fall, illustrating the dangers of unchecked ego, which can hinder collaboration and growth, especially in the age of social media.
Neuroscientist Amishi Jha emphasizes that cultivating meta-awareness—being conscious of your thoughts and emotions—can help you navigate distractions in today’s VUCA environments and regain control over your attention amidst the challenges posed by technology and constant information bombardment.