Should I Have a Social Strategy?

What do you think about social media?

Do you see being social as just a fun activity? Or is it something you only do when you have spare time?

I always try to be intentional about what I do, especially with my own development, so I asked myself, “Should I have a social strategy?”

Whether you're a current leader or an aspiring leader, you need to have a social strategy.

As I mentioned in Creating Your Personal Board of Directors, no man is an island. You're not alone in the marketplace and you can't lead when there is no one to follow you.

If you're working your way up in the organization, you have to make yourself known. You have to be intentionally social and you need to have a social strategy.

Social Leadership

As a leader, you should always be connecting with your team. Every opportunity to learn more about them should be taken.

Even your most shy and introverted team members are looking to feel important, cared about and empowered. Take the time to have a lunch meeting or spend a few minutes with each person on your team while getting coffee in the mornings.

Asking questions is one of the best, easiest and effective ways to be social.

This past week, I asked a leader on my team what his plans were for the evening. He told me about his son playing football that night, his daughter having a volleyball game and that he was also in charge of fundraising.

I let him talk for a few minutes and all I had to do was ask some probing questions.

In just a short amount of time, he told me what was important to him, what he enjoyed doing and what he valued outside of the workplace.

Now, the next time we talk, I can ask him not only about how his kids are doing but how their sports teams are doing.

Do you think that makes a positive impact on this leader?

Yes!

Social Business

I also encourage my team to do a similar exercise with their clients.

Whether you're in sales, marketing, customer service or working in a warehouse, here is a great tip.

With every person you have contact with, try to learn 3 things about them that is outside of the main reason you're working with them; that is, discover something about them personally.

For example, most of the people I work with on a day-to-day basis are sales people. By the way, you're a salesperson too, even if you don't know it yet.

Anyway, I tell my team to learn 3 things about their clients and what they're interested in outside of their work roles. Ask about their plans for the weekend, learn about their kids and where they live, and ask about the weather.

As simple as that sounds, questions about the weather can lead to talking about weekend plans, hobbies, home improvement projects, and gardening tips. These are just a few of the things I've talked with some of my clients about and they work wonderfully to build rapport!

A Word of Caution

Don't be fake about your social strategy. If you ask a teammate or a customer a question, you better stop to listen to their answer.

If you don't, they'll know you're insincere or just going through the motions similar to saying, “Hi, how are you?” just as part of your morning routine, and not really caring how the other person is doing.

Second, you better remember how they answer the question. If she says her son lives in San Antonio, you shouldn't have to ask three more times about what city he's living in. People can easily see through our shallow attempt to get on their good side for our own benefit.

Social Extras

Finally, as leaders, you and I have to go the extra mile as part of our social strategy. Here's a fun way to do so:

Most industries have regular events where we can attend, network or present.

Go to these meetings even if at first you don't want to. These types of events can be a great way to meet people, learn new material, or simply get some face time with like-minded people.

Just make sure you're approachable and don't sit staring at your phone the whole time.

By having a social strategy, I've been able to build wonderful relationship with coworkers, clients and my team. You may have to put in some extra work, invest some additional time or work a little later into the evening, but having a social strategy will lead to great rewards, not only for your team, but for you and your business as well.

Question: What's one thing you've integrated into your social strategy? What's your best tip?