Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  June 18, 2013

Check Your Social Media Motives

No, I have not lived a sheltered life.  I can throw down verbal jabs with the best of them.  But I am surprised at the no-holds-barred interactions I see on social media right now.  Has everyone lost their minds?

Turns out I’m not alone.  Check out this interview with one of my favorite authors Joseph Grenny on the state of our communications when safely sitting alone behind a screen.

My big aha:  that social media has not only changed the way we communicate, but also changed our motives.  Ask yourself:  what’s the outcome here?  Are we trying to get attention by being “controversial”?  To help folks discover our brilliance?  Or to be right?

My take:  it is possible to get attention without acting like a fool.  We want folks to engage with us, not to back away slowly.  This interview reminds me to remember why I am posting a comment.  It reminds me to think about how I want to show up.