By: Latisha Carr
BE A LEADER,
Not Just A Follower:
Leadership in the Age of Social Media
By: Latisha Carr
In a time where the amount of Twitter and Instagram followers you have seems to deem your status in the world, I often find myself thinking of something my childhood best friend’ s Dad would tell us all the time as kids.“ Be a leader, not a follower.” There could be a huge impact on our culture and generation if more people recognized the importance of being a leader and behaving as such. Although leadership is a multifaceted concept, taking a look at what leadership looks like for millennials is imperative to our forward progress as a culture and generation.
A leader is defined a few ways by Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Two of those definitions are:“ Someone or something that leads others: such as, someone who guides other people” and“ a powerful person who controls or influences what other people do; a person who leads a group, organization, country, etc.” Social media has given every person with a Twitter or Instagram handle the ability to lead, even if it is unintentional leadership. We quickly hit the“ Follow” button for celebrities, people we know, and people we want to know. We usually do not stop to think about what“ following” someone actually means. When we follow people on social media or when people follow us, it opens up a space for influence and guidance over our own lives or the lives of those who follow us. Having a large social media following is an opportunity to influence and lead people, which comes with responsibility. Utilizing social media as a realm for leadership gives you the platform to impact hundreds, thousands, or millions of people on a daily basis. In today’ s culture, a simple post can be seen across the world. If you want to be a leader in your community or environment, and not just a follower, take the simple steps to be intentional about how you are leading and guiding those who follow you. Show integrity and be authentic. Perfection is not a requirement, but authenticity and integrity can create positive influence on those that follow.
On any social media outlet, you occupy, be aware of the impact you have on all who“ follow” you. First, be authentic in who you are. Post things that represent you and what you want the world to be. Remember that what you post could impact others. Choose to be a positive light to those that follow you. Use your social media presence to encourage, inspire, and move people forward from your unique perspective. We all have the ability to not just“ follow” on social media, but to lead in a powerful way.