Social Toolbar

Values that inflluences attitudes toward social networking

Copyright (c) 2009 Success Performance Solutions

As human beings, we tend to value certain viewpoints positively and judge others negatively. What we value or judge determines our motivations and these in turn provide us with our sources of energy or causes of stress in both our personal and professional lives.

When we value something, we take a positive attitude toward it. It hits our hot buttons and motivates us to do more. Likewise, the less we value something, the more likely we will have a negative attitude toward it.

For managers, understanding business values and motivators answers the nagging question: How can I motivate my employees? For employees and individuals looking to re-energize their careers, understanding business values and motivators helps them understand what they seek most out of a job or work environment.

This article highlights how different people might value positively or judge negatively social networking in their lives. What follows are the six values and how an individual representing each viewpoint might describe what he or she gets out of networking.

Conceptual: There are so many interesting things that people are doing. I love listening and learning from people coming from all walks of life. And I've got experts at my fingertips any time anywhere. I can see how you can become addicted to the discussion groups. These groups are just like being in school except that I can participate in only the discussions I want and I don't have to pay tuition!

Aesthetic: I'm really troubled by how much time people seem to spend on these things. My life is crazy enough. I need more balance in my life, not another thing to do. But I did find three engaging discussion groups that I joined: I love the gourmet cooking, music, and yoga groups.

Economic: I wonder how I can make money from social networking. I'm not convinced it's worth the time or effort yet but I'm willing to give it a try. Now, what's the easiest way to get started? I don't have time to waste fumbling around, trying to learn what to do.

Power & Authority: If I can get ahead of the curve, I'll have the edge on my competition and be viewed as the expert. I've got to catch this wave before anyone else. I live by this motto: if you're not at the table, you'll likely be on the menu.

Social: Social networking is near utopia for me. I love the concept of a community. It's all about sharing information for the benefit of others, many times complete strangers. It's about building consensus and helping others. I have so much to give and people seem so grateful for my unconditional help. But what really upsets me is when someone stops following me or declines my invitation? I just hope I didn't do anything to offend them - it certainly wasn't my intention. I worry about that a lot.

Doctrine: It feels so good to know that I'm not alone out there. I've got very strong views and often times I feel isolated. But with social networking sites, there is always someone who thinks like me. Besides there are just a lot of people who just are plain wrong in what they believe and it's good to have a place where I can voice my opposition.

About the Author:

Ira S Wolfe is president of Success Performance Solutions and author of The Perfect Labor Storm 2.0: Workforce Trends That Will Change the Way You Do Business. He is considered one of the nation's authorities on hiring the right people, managing the generations and workforce trends.