Working to Be a Leader

Last week, I spoke on the topic of “Social Media and Your Job Search:  A Strategic Approach” on Jane Cranston’s “Great Job In Tough Times” tele-seminar. 

 The positive responses to my talk inspired me repeat the program—and to offer a series of tele-seminars on the four major social media platforms.

Please click here to see a full menu of courses listed on the Public Seminars page of my website.  The titles include:

LinkedIn 101:  The Basics to Realize Returns on Relationships

Facebook 101:  How to Establish Online Work/Life Balance

Twitter 101 and You Tube Basics:  How to Make Your Tweets and Videos Remarkable.

If you don’t see what you want here, contact me at Leigh@ltr-nyc.com to discuss a customized tele-seminar or in-person workshop for a group of individuals or your company (programs for business will be on the next schedule).

Truth:  I resisted getting into social media for a long time.  Why?  I like in-person or telephone conversations so I can see and/hear the person.  And I don’t consider e-mail social media, although you can carry on long conversations that way.  Note:  I don’t text or IM.

This year, I’ve moved on to see the power of the connections social media facilitates through LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and lots of other platforms.  Oh, I still see vultures out there mining my information and am aware of the addictive qualities.  But I had a moment during which I saw the power of social media.

In August, I co-led a presentation on “Social Media:  What’s the Return on Investment?” for the New York Providers Liaison Association (NYPLA), an organization of professionals who work at substance abuse and addiction rehabilitation centers.

When I displayed my LinkedIn profile on the screen, I went to the Recommendations section.  There was a recommendation from La Wanda Stewart, a student at the Zicklin School of Business who was in my “Employee Development and Training” class last spring.

“I know that person,” announced a member of the audience.  “She’s wonderful.  La Wanda worked for me at an earlier job.”

My co-presenter started to tear up.  She was deeply moved by the co-incidence but also the power of the tool that had facilitated this event.

In that moment, I, too, felt the power of social media. 

However, I, too, am one to raise caution about the addictive qualities of social media and to endorse the need to stay in touch by seeing people face-to-face.