As part of my learning, I was asked to complete a professionalism audit, a social media audit and then to express my view on the use of social media. All of this culminating into a reflection - What kind of professional identity do I want to have on social media?
I found this to be a very interesting exercise as the use of social media is a topic I have grappled with for a number of years.
In completing my social media audit, the information was what I expected. My current social media presence is predominately related to personal use. I engage through social media with friends and family around activities and common personal interests. Even with this, I am not really comfortable with a large social media presence. I confine my comments and posts. I do not want my words or thoughts shared out broadly in public. I am concerned with the image that can be portrayed. I would describe my current preferred approach as thoughtful, careful and limited.
I have attempted to avoid the use of social media for professional connections. I try to keep my personal and professional worlds separate. I understand that there may be a label for this approach to social media. Ollier-Malaterre and Rothbard (2015) describe this as the Audience Strategy, where individuals keep their personal and professional groups separate.
I have actively resisted using social media related to my professional role. Despite having the benefits frequently articulated by colleagues related to networking. I value a relationship based approach in my professional role and have developed many connections with partners across the health sectors. These have been developed through personal connection. At one point, about two years ago, I even worked with a communications specialist to prepare for the “launch” into the social media world for the purpose of networking but I never took the step to actually “go live”.
I remain in this same place today. I am still not convinced that having an extensive professional presence on social media is a fit for me.
My biggest reason for reluctance is the perception of risk to personal and professional image. I understand that I am not alone in this perception of risk. The Canadian Underwriter (2016) suggests that 84% of the general population think social media is the medium most able to cause damage to the public image of an individual or organization, according to the results of a Nanos poll.
I have tried to remain open to social media as a medium in my professional role. I am familiar with the directions provided by my employer and from my professional association on the use of social media. I feel it is important to understand your organization’s policies and your professional college’s practice standards and ethics and applicable legislation when considering the use of social media. Both have directions on this topic. The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario has clear directions, with one of their tag lines being “pause before you post” (COTO, 2016). As a member, I have benefited from the information shared including the on-line tutorial that articulates both the risks and benefits of social media use(COTO, 2016).
So have I really avoided social media in my professional life? As I delved deeper into my social media use, here is what else I realized.
I use social media on a regular basis. I use a few distinct social media platforms. I do not share a lot of detailed information by way of comments or posting. I am, however, an extensive consumer of information available through social media. The information that I consume is not just about my personal interests. I consume a large amount of information from social media and electronic mediums related to my professional role. I am an information seeker. I use this information for the purpose of learning and to expand my knowledge, specifically related to topics relevant to my role. My role requires me to be current on issues and directions of the broader health system. I am responsible to gather, share and synthesize information for the organization and its leaders, along with insights into potential impacts.
Samuel (2016) suggests that “setting your learning intentions for what, when and who you want to learn from can turn social media into a powerful and timely resource for your ongoing professional development”.
On reflection, since I use social media to support learning, being intentional seems like the right approach. A thoughtful plan for using social media to related to professional development will support my desire to limit risk, maintain professionalism and accomplish my role.
Reference
Canadian Underwriter (2016) Social media the most dangerous medium for individual, corporate public image, new Canadian poll find. Retrieved from https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/insurance/social-media-dangerous-medium-individual-corporate-public-image-new-canadian-poll-finds-1004099382/
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (2016) Pause before you post: Social media awareness for RHP, Retrieved from https://www.coto.org/story_html5.html
Samuel, A. (2016) Using Social Media to Build Professional Skills. Harvard Business Review, Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2016/08/using-social-media-to-build-professional-skills
Ollier-Malaterre, A. & Rothbard, N. (2015) How to separate the personal and professional on social media. Harvard Business Review, Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2015/03/how-to-separate-the-personal-and-professional-on-social-media