7 reasons CEOs and other leaders need a digital presence

CEOs and leaders who don’t have a digital and/or social media presence are missing out on so many opportunities for themselves and for their organisations.

In my last blog post, I mentioned that research shows CEOs with a social media presence are seen as more influential than those without. And that is only one reason why you need to be actively using digital and social media. 

If you’re a CEO, Board Member, or want to be seen as a leader in your field, these are a few reasons why you need to be using digital and social media.

7 reasons CEOs and other leaders need a digital presence

1. To communicate

Getting your messages across can be one of the biggest challenges organisations face, particularly in an age when we are being bombarded by messages everywhere we turn. If you’re clear on who your audience is, then you will know where and how they like to be communicated with, and you will be better positioned to communicate with people in their space. If you’re wanting to communicate and engage with a younger audience, then using digital channels will help. The 2018 Yellow Social Media report tells us 89% of Australians have a social media profile and 81% of 18-29-year-olds check in at least once a day.

Social media allows you to communicate what’s happening in your organisation and your broader community in real-time. Don’t limit your use of digital to social media, be a digital leader within your organisation by sharing your thoughts on your company intranet, online educational platforms and by using audio and video technology to reach your people.

2. To connect

Personally, I believe that connection is even more important than communication. Because when you are connected with people they want to know more about you, they listen more carefully, and they are more inclined to want to help you and to buy from you. Digital and social media is a fabulous way to build real and lasting connections that transcend online into the real world.

I’ve lost count of how many business relationships and friendships I’ve developed over the 10+ years I’ve been active on Twitter, having endless conversations, sharing my thoughts and ideas and connecting my tribe to others. These friendships have resulted in too-many-to-count phone calls, referrals, clients, recommendations, coffees, cakes and meals shared, cards and gifts to celebrate, remember and commiserate. One that stands out is when Deb Peralta from Dello Mano sent a box of brownies and biscuits to my father when my mother died in 2010. We were connected on Twitter but hadn’t ever met. This overwhelming kindness and generosity during one of the worst times in our lives will never be forgotten.

3. To share your expertise

Martin Luther King, Jr said Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others.

One of the most generous acts we can undertake is to share our knowledge and expertise. Share your expertise and your thoughts by writing a blog, recording a video (and then transcribe it and turn it into a blog too), writing a LinkedIn post, recording a podcast episode, sending a quick tweet. If you have an iPad Pro, handwrite a thought and instantly share it on LinkedIn and Instagram.

When you share your expertise you are helping others, and this is an excellent way to become known as a leader in your field, as well as someone others turn to for guidance and advice.

4. To demonstrate your purpose

By 2020 millennials will make up 50% of the workforce. They have a very strong sense of social justice and want to work for organisations whose purpose is about a whole lot more than making money. However, research by Deloitte indicates most millennials believe businesses and their leaders are solely focused on the dollar. Furthermore, many other employees also want to work for an organisation whose values align with theirs, and who have a clear sense of purpose. What’s your organisational purpose and how can you articulate it in a way that clearly says what you stand for? Consider sharing stories, examples, case studies, and using blogs, images, video and audio content as a way of depicting who you are and what you stand for – both as an individual and as an organisation.

5. To attract better people

CEOs and leaders of organisations that use digital and social media are more likely to be seen as employers of choice. Use your social media platforms to demonstrate the benefits of working for you and your organisation. Share stories, talk about what happens behind the scenes, talk about what daily life is like. Share what do you do for fun, how you cope when times are tough, and what your people think of working for you. Demonstrate how you live your values in a way that will resonate with the people you want to attract.

6. To show your personality

People do business with people they know, like and trust. The more you can show your personality and your “real self”, the more people are going to want to be connected to you, work with you and buy from you. Use digital and social to share video (selfie videos are awesome!) and stories so people can get to know your true personality. Video is an excellent way to build trust and to show your authentic self, especially when creating live video content. Trust me, there is NOWHERE to hide!

7. To fulfil your curiosity

According to a recent article in Harvard Business Review, curiosity “enhances intelligence” and “propels us toward deeper engagement, superior performance, and more-meaningful goals”. Curiosity is one of the biggest assets of social media. Anyone who has hopped onto Twitter for five minutes, only to find themselves an hour later with 20 tabs filled with really interesting stuff open in their internet browser will attest to this! However, curiosity on social media is a two-way street. If you create interesting and compelling content, you will instil curiosity in your followers.