Relationships are built through connections. Connections happen when we have great conversations – – over and over again. The numbers I preach to leaders and followers alike are:
- 5 to 1: The optimal number of positive to negative interactions in a marriage
- 3 to 1: The optimal number of positive to negative interactions in a work relationship
- 3: If we have this many close friends at work we are 96% more likely to be extremely satisfied with our life
- If I were a smoker and a loner – I will live longer if I keep smoking and find some friends
Then comes social media. Recently I was wondering if some day I would read a headline that would turn my world/beliefs upside down. Something like:
- Facebook changing the way we build close friends
- The Tweets/day = Happiness number is known: 14
- Top 5 social media tools for creating healthy marriages and friendships
- Keep Smoking, but open a Facebook account
My gut tells me that ignoring social media at work and in my life, in general, is the wrong move. I also believe the fundamental things I preach to leaders and followers about success in work, building healthy relationships, building strong teams, and building strong companies will not change.
Then I stumbled upon a great TED talk that took on the topic of social media from Sherry Turkle called Connected, but alone? . I think I will stick with what my gut tells me – even as I continue to use Foursquare. fyi – I just became Mayor of my street and no one treats me differently. 🙂
EXTRA: An idea for using this video with high potentials/leadership groups: Watch the video (18 minutes) and explore the following questions:
- How do I personally use social media tools? What benefits do they provide me?
- How do some of the important people in my life use them?
- What comments from the video stand out for me? Agree? Disagree?
- How can I use this to become better – Leaders? Teammates? Friends? (Make one commitment)