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| Image created by TMoller via canva.com |
Do you remember the story about the marketing specialist who was fired after a video of her flipping off the president’s motorcade went viral? Yeah. Ouch. These stories are abundant. And from communicators, no less. One lesson communicators are learning quickly, and some the hard way, is the link between personal and professional personas. Is it fair for an employer to fire someone for the views an employee posts online? That’s a debate for another post. In the meantime, let’s look at the impact of technology, like blogs and social media, on the communications realm and how communicators need to train themselves to not cross the line.
It may seem common sense that communicators understand this relationship between personal and professional. Policies regarding social media engagement are becoming more common in the workplace, which suggests that it’s a serious topic. As communicators engage in personal blogs and social media, touting their own expertise, they must keep in mind the impact of that outspokenness on the organization that provides their paycheck. We love technology for all the good it can do, but communicators should know the negative consequences as well.
Not sure how to mind your manners online? FatGuy Media has six great tips for professionals, with details. For an even more detailed primer, read this Harvard Business Review article on separating the personal and professional persona.
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