I've been writing a lot recently about how many of the things community managers do are going to be crucial to the success of organisations in a modern world underpinned by social media technology.
So it was great to read Glow this morning, by Lynda Gratton. The book talks about how certain people have an effervescence about them, an enthusiasm that literally radiates and inspires all around them. She argues that in an age where collaboration and co-operation are key to success, such personalities are going to be key. The book outlines three principles that are underpin such personalities.
The three principles are:
- Having a collaborative mindset. When you come up against a problem, do you look to pick the brains of others around you? Is a problem shared literally a problem halved?
- Jumping across worlds. Do you have a wide and varied network that crosses many industries? If so then you have innovation at your finger tips because most innovation occurs not through revolutionary thought but by applying what has worked in a different sphere in your own.
- Lighting the fire. Do you have an enthusiasm for your life and work that cannot but rub off on those around you.
I think community managers tick all of those boxes.
Collaboration is our raison d'être. Collaborating is one of the key aspects of a successful community and the best community managers have this in their blood.
They are also excellent networkers because the role of community manager involves meeting lots of people. An inquisitive nature is fundamental to the job so there is a natural desire to explore new worlds and learn new things.
And this enthusiasm and lust for life is essential because community management is notorious for being one of the least 9-5 jobs going. It's one of those roles where the boundaries between work and home life are blurred because to most community managers they'd be doing this stuff for fun if they weren't doing it for a career. In an age of increasingly low employee engagement such intrinsic motivation is manna from heaven.
So for all the community managers out there, does that sound like you?
