Being a leader beyond texting...

Successful multitasking in a chopped up downsized world of business should reach beyond participation!

Being Zen was a 90’s thing when lifting our level of play included strict structure from bosses that strongly encouraged team leaders to include stragglers and the not so motivated. Interestingly enough it was those Nerds that created Social Networking.

New research shows a clear change on resumes; participation has been showing up in paragraphs that read, “I’m on Face Book or I attend Meet up Social Networking sessions at pubs, bowling alleys and art galleries.”

Badly painted portraits of potential employees fail to show leadership.

Tribes author Seth Godin says we’re getting the wrong message; as incredible as technology is, having communication with eight hundred friends on Face Book or Twitter has zero to do with measuring success.

Participating isn’t leading…

If social networking is your current place to advertise, you’ll do more for your future when you stop blogging single sentences about having lunch away from work, checking out a 3D Justin Bieber movie with the kids or getting stuck in rush hour traffic.

Not making an appearance on your pages is just as damaging.

A local Firestone mechanic couldn’t stop bragging about his busy team, “We have too much work! I don’t have time to wash the floors…”

As a consumer I'm thinking, “I came in for an inspection and walked out with an engine replacement.”

Anyone thinking the Great Recession is over has sold their soul to propaganda.

A smart business manager would take the mechanic’s confident lip service and put it to use on the web in the way of educating single mothers, unemployed fathers and not so wealthy teens and wanna be rulers of the kingdom. Be a leader by sharing tips on how to replace and dispose oil. Make a mark in the customer service department by hosting Saturday classes that expose what travelers should do beyond changing a flat tire. Expose some of the secrets behind the magic and the store is gifted with a relationship that reaches a new generation of followers.

Being a leader creates connection.

Godin talks about a fitness center that utilizes its strength on the web by allowing customers and or those participating with a bust your tail feathers workout regiment to check in hourly, daily or when they’ve lost hope and require answers to difficult to digest questions.

I’d still be part of Martial Arts University if my Master had provided a simple answer, “What if one of your students isn’t the greatest kicker, puncher or best blocker but instead has developed a hard to dismiss wisdom shown to the original Monks before the teacher walked in?”

There’s an invisible step martial artists take while moving through the trees blocking the path; a step I chose not to ignore but rather study and in that process breaking bricks and pounding bruises into other peoples arms and legs was no longer important…becoming more spiritual was my destination. I’ve yet to locate the martial arts school that understands where I currently wade.

I blog everyday because this is my black belt journey.

There’ll never be another stripe on my belt because what I do isn’t important to the owners of schools yet on the path they helped develop is 2nd degree that uses social networking to educate mind and soul.

Participating isn’t leading…

Something to think about the next time your boss screams out, “We need to locate where our clients are! We cannot succeed without advertising! How can we make our money work for us better?”

I say keep buying radio and put your people to work in the relationship department. Add to the benefit of being heard. It's time to put a little faith in something more than a handshake.

Educate…

I will always believe in you first…

arroecollins@clearchannel.com