A lot of social media consultants say they’re “no hype”. This resonates with hiring leaders because they’re tired of hearing what they don’t believe. Namely, that social media is the unbelievable phenomenon that is going to change the world all on it’s own. I agree, that’s ridiculous. However, social media is helping to change the world.
About a year ago, in a leadership presentation on social media, I said, “You can change the world with social media”. I took some flack for that. Some critics said I exaggerated or over-hyped the capabilities of social media. I disagree.
I said you can change the world with social media. I did not say social media alone will change the world. There’s an important difference and here it is:
You need to be the change
You still need that passion. Without a leader behind a cause, no change will ever happen. It was Margaret Mead who said:
“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”
But what Margaret would love to see today is just how easy it is to grow that few who care, to many. Gandhi also had it right when he said:
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
What Gandhi couldn’t add was, “then Tweet about it.”
Social Media is your fuel
Margaret Mead was right: a few caring people are always the start of real change. Mahatma Gandhi was also right, you need to be that change to get it started. Social media helps fuel that fire of passion leaders have to change the world. In the Smarter Commerce conference yesterday, Jay Baer said:
“Content is fire, social media is gasoline.”
Leaders with the passion to change the world create influential content. That fire of content is fueled and grown through social media.
So no, I’m not over-hyping the power of social media and neither should you. But let’s not underestimate it either. Social media is helping change the world.
Question: How is social media helping change your world? You can leave a comment here.
2 thoughts on “No Hype. Social Media’s Just Helping Change the World”
Small organizations like Be Benevolent (benevolent.net) have helped hundreds of people by leveraging the power of social media; it is remarkable what can be done now to get a message to those who can help! I appreciate your comment regarding influential content – it makes all the difference.
Thanks Beth. I agree, Be Benevolent and organizations like it are finding great ways to maximize impact with social media. Thanks for sharing that example.