Tweeting Presidential: The Digital Leadership Call for Authentic and Real Engagement on Social Media

• In Event: Utilizing Technology to Advance Business Leadership Development

Short Description

What does authentic leadership look like on Twitter or Facebook? While PR and marketing tactics can take leaders so far in getting strategy implemented on social media, to really make a lasting impact requires something much deeper including values, ethics, and authentic leadership. The presenter will share examples of authentic engagement and how “being real” can thrive online. The researcher will connect current executive practices in higher education that are grounded in a strategic values-based approach for authentic engagement, transparent storytelling, and building community.

Detailed Abstract

What are the competencies required to be an effective leader, especially at the executive level, in the face of the digital and social age? What does authentic leadership look like on Twitter or Facebook? Or what do we hope it will look like in the future as we develop leaders? While PR and Marketing tactics can take leaders so far in getting strategy implemented on social media, to really make a lasting impact requires something much deeper including values, ethics and authentic leadership.

In two separate studies, higher education leaders have recently been found to be more likely than corporate executives to be active on social media (Barnes & Lescault, 2017; Donachie, 2017). Further, in a recent trend report on Inside Higher Ed, presidents are being called upon to be public thought leaders, including on social media platforms (Rudgers & Peterson, np, 2018). The authors in this trend report recommended that presidents use social media to inspire others through what they post, but it went one step further. They advised that presidents actually engage in important and even difficult conversations. The authors write, “Colleges and universities have an obligation — and an opportunity — to foster informed debate and model what civil discourse looks like in 2018.” (Rudgers & Peterson, np, 2018)

So, to understand how positional leaders on university and college campuses were approaching digital communication tools, the researcher discovered a number of strategies, philosophies and frameworks that can be applied to all industries and even leadership levels.

In the session, attendees will learn real examples of authentic engagement, and even how “being real” can thrive online. The researcher will connect current executive practices in higher education that are grounded in a strategic values-based approach for authentic engagement, transparent storytelling, and building community. Attendees will learn a digital leadership framework and digital decision-making guide for highly visible executives (Ahlquist, 2016).

The presenters’ research draws upon various leaders on college campuses, including the missteps these professionals make. From these lessons, attendees will see how approaching social media with a lens of leadership blends in individuality, ethics and values. Further, how a digital leadership philosophy amplifies the “heartware” of tech and leadership, connecting software and hardware innovations to relationships and community building. As technology continues to rapidly change, leaders must remain grounded in a values-based approach that embodies and connects communities with genuine heart and soul, not just the emoji kind.

Participant

• Josie Ahlquist, Florida State University