Posted on May 21, 2015
How effective can Social Media be for senior military leaders?
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With the CSAF's first Google Hangout planned for 1230 PST tomorrow, it would be interesting to hear everyone's thoughts on senior military leaders using social media to reach out and touch their troops. Now that we've had some time to read through General (Ret) McChrystal's live Q&A, what are thoughts on current and former military leaders taking to G+, Twitter, Facebook, and RallyPoint to send along their updates and answer your questions directly?
Do you support this method of communication or are there reasons you are hesitant towards leaders adopting it?
I find it impressive when leaders are able to carve out new ways to form connections with their troops. For the average service member on active duty, we may never meet a Chief of Staff in person or anyone above an O-6. I think following your senior leaders on social media allows you to grasp their leadership style and personality in a way you may have never had the opportunity to do. Plus, you might even get a direct question answered along the way!
Here is the link to tomorrow's Google hangout if anyone is interested in attending.
Do you support this method of communication or are there reasons you are hesitant towards leaders adopting it?
I find it impressive when leaders are able to carve out new ways to form connections with their troops. For the average service member on active duty, we may never meet a Chief of Staff in person or anyone above an O-6. I think following your senior leaders on social media allows you to grasp their leadership style and personality in a way you may have never had the opportunity to do. Plus, you might even get a direct question answered along the way!
Here is the link to tomorrow's Google hangout if anyone is interested in attending.
US Air Force
US Army
Social Media
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 8
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I would say Capt Brandon Charters that it can be very effective. When I was attending the pre-command course for Brigade Command, one of speakers (LTG) explained that we needed to embrace and use social media, as that was the world our Soldiers and families.
When I went into Garrison Command, at an installation with an average daily population of over 50,000, I immediately established several methods anyone could access me. I had an "Ask the Garrison Commander" link on our www page, and I established a Facebook Page that only I had the ability to answer. I believed it is was key that I was the one Soldiers and families were communication with.
First, and foremost, I always would encourage Soldiers and families to use their chains of command first.
The Facebook Page was great, but it took a lot of work, as I decided if it was to be effective, I needed to be one answering and keeping up, not my staff; like most do. This meant I was doing this after all the other work was done. My executive assistant would monitor it, incase anything popped up I needed to answer quickly, or needed to be aware of. But, the answers always came from me. I answered every comment.
My boss said he could always gage the pulse of our community by the comments and themes on our Facebook Page.
It allowed me to hear/know what was troubling families, and what the issues were. And it allowed me to provide feedback directly to many who would have never had the opportunity to ask directly otherwise.
I also got a lot of positive feedback their too.
I think it is very effective.
If you want to know how you are doing... you need to be willing to ask.
When I went into Garrison Command, at an installation with an average daily population of over 50,000, I immediately established several methods anyone could access me. I had an "Ask the Garrison Commander" link on our www page, and I established a Facebook Page that only I had the ability to answer. I believed it is was key that I was the one Soldiers and families were communication with.
First, and foremost, I always would encourage Soldiers and families to use their chains of command first.
The Facebook Page was great, but it took a lot of work, as I decided if it was to be effective, I needed to be one answering and keeping up, not my staff; like most do. This meant I was doing this after all the other work was done. My executive assistant would monitor it, incase anything popped up I needed to answer quickly, or needed to be aware of. But, the answers always came from me. I answered every comment.
My boss said he could always gage the pulse of our community by the comments and themes on our Facebook Page.
It allowed me to hear/know what was troubling families, and what the issues were. And it allowed me to provide feedback directly to many who would have never had the opportunity to ask directly otherwise.
I also got a lot of positive feedback their too.
I think it is very effective.
If you want to know how you are doing... you need to be willing to ask.
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Capt Brandon Charters
COL Charles Williams Really incredible effort you put forward while in command. This is an outstanding example of seeking feedback from your troops. That kind of additional time spent on two-way communication is really invaluable. I hope many commanders in the future try to emulate the process you put forward. I know it takes a strong leader to put in that kind of time and really seek the feedback, whether it be positive or negative.
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Given the multiple times that the CSAF has said he is frustrated with how policies, information and decisions are not making it down to the lowest level, this is an effective way to put it out there and really engage with the lower tiers without the "dog and pony show" of a base visit or the pre-selected/pre-filtered questions that often come with Sr Leader Town Halls.
Disclaimer: My thoughts are my own and do not represent the opinion of the Air Force
Disclaimer: My thoughts are my own and do not represent the opinion of the Air Force
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Its a way to unfilter the message to force. As guidance and policies make their way up and down the chain of command each layer filters and adds things so that the original intent is list by the time it reaches the end. Sort of like the phone game we played as kids.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
Agreed SGT David T.. I should think that social media is radically changing the way messages are broadcast down the line and, as a result, troops are getting a much clearer message "straight from the horse's mouth" so to speak.
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Capt Brandon Charters
Great point SGT David T.. I've personally seen the original message get unraveled as it comes down the chain as well. It's nice to see the direct and personal guidance from senior leaders.
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