Reflection Essay #1: A Simple Click

I began by clicking the “follow” button on twitter. Within the next few hours I soon received an email that I too was being “followed”. What ensued from there was an exchange of messages on twitter and plans for a future meeting at a local coffee house. No, this wasn’t a dating scenario; this was a professional collegial interaction that was only made possible through the purposeful engagement of digital tools. It is an example of me creating and utilizing my own PLN (Professional Learning Network). A week ago, if you asked me what a PLN was I might have responded by telling you, “It’s a power company in Lincoln, Nebraska.”. However, after reading the book Digital Leadership, I’m not only aware of what a PLN is; I’m experiencing it’s educational power and benefit. This example highlights my greatest takeaway from the Digital Leadership book. More specifically, the idea that Social Media is a tool for Professional Growth and Development. The reason this has personally resonated with me is that it frames what I believe to be the largest benefit of digital tools to leaders as well as outlines my personal starting point toward digital leadership.

 The leadership role has become too large for one person to possess all the information and tools needed to stay on top of the learning curve. The answer lives in utilizing intentional resources including other professionals. However, a common challenge with this is that we have been traditionally isolated to the resources and peers within our immediate proximity. An idea that Sheninger describes in his book (p. 118). Now, with the use of digital tools, one is not limited to locational parameters for professional development. This allows a leader to take charge of their own professional development by increasing their knowledge through online connections. An example of this idea in action (beyond the experience I describe above) also began by me following several educational leaders on twitter. Using the social media of twitter lead to me learning from these leaders’ links to articles and blogs; all occurring in a streamlined fashion. While reading professional articles has always been part of my practice, I found myself spending a large amount of time searching for resources relevant to my purpose. What I was missing was connectedness. Thanks to Sheninger’s insights, (combined with class) I now see how social media leads you along this path in a much more efficient and intentional manner.

 Another reason that utilizing social media as a tool for professional development stood out to me, is that it is an example of one of the greatest insights I had from the book; leading digitally must begin with yourself. Beyond simply increasing my own professional knowledge bank, the professional development gained through digital interactions (like the ones depicted above) are providing me with experiential knowledge. A knowledge I believe a leader can only gain by personally engaging in the process. Change efforts can only begin once a leader has personally embraced digital tools for himself. In the book, Sheninger refers to a similar personal exploration that started his digital leading journey. On page 65 he states, “It wasn’t until I became connected that I truly understood the error of my ways and views.” He explains further, “For me, I lacked the fundamental knowledge of how technology could truly be integrated effectively.” So while utilizing social media to grow myself, I’m beginning the process of learning how to lead others toward similar change efforts. “Start with yourself,” is a key understanding I will take from this book. I’ve begun that process by starting within the Digital Pillar of Professional Growth and Development.

 Although many of the themes and ideas depicted in the book have been valuable learning, (such as The Six Secrets of Change, Communication and Branding to name a few) it is the idea of utilizing social media for personal professional development that rises above the rest. Who would have thought that my digital leadership process would begin by learning about the amazing professional development power of simply clicking the “follow” button.