How to be a RESponsible Influencer: A Leader's Journey to Mindful Influence; How to Lead in an Outrage Culture: #ScamDefence
Welcome to the #FixTheWorld or #GiveUp newsletter no. 48
This week, I'm advocating for a thoughtful approach to communication, ensuring our messages are as impactful as they are considered. Should you resonate with our ethos, we encourage spreading awareness of FixTheWorld.4Good.Space
It is with a measure of concern, albeit tinged with amusement, that I address the pervasive trend of senior business figures and billionaires lending their influence to dubious schemes and unproven products.
Such individuals, masquerading as leaders, are, in truth, akin to wolves in sheep's clothing.
Consequently, this discourse is tailored not to them but to the discerning leaders and emerging influencers within our community.
We find ourselves amidst a deluge of affluent personalities promoting indulgent libations, trinkets, and purported wellness solutions. While this is not novel, what is disconcerting is the erosion of traditional media structures, the proliferation of streaming platforms, and the blurred lines between business leadership and influencer culture. In this evolving landscape, consumers are thrust into the role of arbiters, tasked with discerning fact from fiction amidst a cacophony of information.
Regrettably, our resources for verification often fall short, leaving us vulnerable to the dissemination of polarising narratives and the promotion of questionable goods and services.
To navigate this quagmire, I offer a pragmatic approach: Those peddling AG1, advocating for ultra-processed consumables, or extolling the virtues of cryptocurrency platforms will find themselves swiftly relegated to the sidelines.
Should this persist, irrespective of their esteemed guest list, I advocate for a decisive unsubscribe.
After all, esteemed guests are known to grace multiple platforms, rendering any exclusivity moot. Consider, for instance, the persistent presence of the Canadian proponent of FTX across financial channels —an omnipresence likely facilitated by his pro bono narcissistic nature (see videos of how his been debunked):
Similarly, the initial segment of Mr. Huberman's discourse merits a discerning ear (adverts of questionable products, although I love most of his episodes).
Jamie Ducharme While Mr. Lex Friedman maintains a commendable standard, even some his episodes warrant selective consumption. As for the myriad of lesser podcasters promoting AG1, their expulsion from one's subscription list should be swift and unapologetic. see my playlist on supplements & scams on YouTube (from major YouTubers like Johnny Harris to US FDAs to explain supplements are not regulated). http://tiny.cc/SupplementsPlaylist
REAL food (organic or not!) and NOT supplements is what you need (study link on BMJ)!
Love the insights from Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D. re AG1:
For those with resources.. Let your work speak for itself (no need to influence!)
Like Hock Tan & wife Lisa Yang who just do what they do, close to their hearts, day job, retired or look after family and make things happen:
For the rest of us.. who are still grinding, or working towards our goals.. key question is:
How to be a Responsible Influencer?
TLDR: As leaders and influencers, we have a responsibility to use our platforms wisely and ethically. This means sharing insights that truly add value, being transparent about any conflicts of interest, and avoiding promoting products or services unless we can vouch for their quality. The key is staying true to your purpose and values while being mindful of the impact your voice can have.
In today's world, social media provides everyone an opportunity to share their voice and potentially influence others. For CXOs and other leaders, this brings both power and responsibility. On one hand, you have a platform to inspire positive change; on the other, your words carry more weight, so you must choose them carefully.
Here are 10 principles to follow as a responsible influencer:
1. Stay True to Your Purpose
Before putting yourself out there, get clear on why you want to share your insights in the first place. Is it to raise awareness about a cause you care about? To empower others with your hard-won experience? To build your personal brand? There's no right answer, but understanding your motivation will help ensure you use your influence in service of that purpose, rather than getting distracted by things like popularity or profit.
2. Add Value for Your Audience
With endless opinions online, make sure you have something meaningful to contribute. Share lessons learned, provide data-driven analysis, offer contrarian perspectives, highlight inspiring stories - provide unique value that helps people see things differently. Resist the temptation to simply jump on trends or repeat what others are saying. And focus less on self-promotion or clickbait that may attract eyeballs but doesn't enrich anyone.
Love John Oliver & Kate Mullaney great work on adding real value.. highlighting pig butchering & other challenges of our world with proper research & insights from Zeke Faux
3. Be Transparent About Conflicts of Interest
If you have any financial or personal interests related to what you are sharing - for example, promoting your own company's product - be upfront about it. Don't pretend to be an independent voice if you stand to benefit. Likewise, if you get paid to endorse a product, disclose that relationship. Transparency allows your audience to evaluate your message through an appropriate lens.
4. Vet Anything You Promote
A big part of your value as an influencer is your implied endorsement. So avoid promoting products, services, companies, causes, or content unless you've truly vetted them and believe in their quality/integrity. You owe it to your audience not to misuse their trust in you. If you haven't personally used or experienced what you're endorsing, make that clear too.
Love how Patrick Boyle vet his promotions & decided not to promote fractional art scheme:
5. Stay in Your Lane
While you may have in-depth knowledge in one domain, don't overextend yourself into areas you don't have expertise. It's great to show range, but keep it to subjects where you can actually provide unique insights vs just weighing in for attention’s sake. And defer to other experts rather than speaking definitively on topics outside your scope.
6. Choose Words Thoughtfully
Language matters, especially for leaders. Be mindful of how certain phrases or words may land, considering diversity of culture, background, values. Avoid broad generalizations. And resist knee-jerk reactions in charged moments - take time to thoughtfully articulate your perspective. The higher your platform, the greater diligence your communications require.
7. Keep Learning and Evolving
No one ever has things 100% figured out. So maintain an openness to being wrong and learning from critics. Have the humility to publicly evolve your views over time as you gain new knowledge and listen to others (while staying anchored to your core values). This type of growth is the hallmark of an influencer people can continue to learn from.
8. Elevate Other Voices
Use your platform not just to share your own views but to amplify voices that may not otherwise be heard. Drive awareness to issues that deserve more attention. Intentionally make space for perspectives underrepresented in your industry. People will value you more for uplifting others.
9. Consider Unintended Consequences
While you intend your words to have a positive effect, also reflect carefully on how they might be misinterpreted or misused by others. Bad actors may try to distort your message to suit their agenda. So ensure nuance and guardrails are built into what you share - speak your truth, but with care not to inadvertently cause harm.
10. Lead With Empathy
Even if articulating an opposing viewpoint, do so with empathy, nuance and care. The higher the emotions around an issue, the greater the need for compassion - the “heart” to balance the “head.” Especially on charged societal topics, recognize the humanity in those you disagree with. You can illuminate different perspectives without attacking others.
These principles aim to help CXOs and other leaders maximize the immense power you have to make a positive difference in the world. By sharing your truth - but doing so responsibly and ethically - you role model what it means to use influence as a force for good.
The world needs more conscientious voices speaking into the noisy modern public dialogue.
But enacting these ideals also requires self-awareness and discipline. Here are X more tactical tips on putting them into practice:
I. Reflect on Your Motives and Biases
Before writing or speaking on any topic, pause to check in with yourself. Are you sharing this because it aligns with your purpose or because you crave attention? Does any part of your thinking need challenge because of blind spots or vested interests? Slow down and examine what’s driving you.
II. Vet Supporting Claims
Don’t share statistics, data, stories without verifying they are accurate and in full context. Cite direct sources. Beware making assertions based on assumption or hearsay vs facts you can stand behind. Misinformation spreads too easily.
III. Proofread Before Posting
Typos and sloppy writing undermine your credibility. Don’t dash off posts in haste. Review carefully before publishing to ensure clarity and consistency of thought. If needed, sleep on it then re-read the next day with fresh eyes. Slow down overall to maintain quality.
IV. Consult Trusted Advisors
If contemplating addressing a particularly controversial issue, test your thinking with a few trusted advisors first. Ask if the post strikes the right tone and resonates as intended. Be open to feedback that certain phrasing could be hurtful or counterproductive.
V. Clarify What You Don’t Know
When sharing on complex topics, be explicit about limitations to your expertise. Call out aspects you yourself are still evolving understanding of. Invite learning from others with specialized knowledge. Intellectual humility is appealing.
VI. Link to Direct Sources
Substantiate your commentary with links to original research, credible data sources, articles by impacted communities. Let people further explore the facts themselves rather than just taking your word. Back up what you share.
Earlier today it was so great to see a 'major study mentioned in a sunday times' piece but sadly the original research was NOT mentioned nor linked! so glad I already am in touch with the leader of the centre!
VII. Debate Respectfully
If engaging in public disagreements, focus on issues not individuals. Challenge ideas, not motives. Avoid insulting labels. And apologize quickly if a critique gets too personal/harsh. Shared progress requires good faith debate, not partisan attacks.
VIII. Monitor Your Impact
Pay attention to feedback on your content - both positive sentiments and constructive critiques. Are people perceiving your message as intended? Is anything causing unintended harm? Listen, reflect and adjust. Stay aware of the effects of your voice.
IX. Clarify Relationships
If you have a business or personal relationship with a company you are featuring, disclose it upfront. Providing context on connections allows your audience to independently evaluate the content. Transparency builds trust.
X. Avoid Dangerous Generalisations
Be highly cautious of overextending claims about groups of people based on limited anecdotes or data points. Look rigorously for counterevidence. And consider feedback on whether phrasing reinforces unhelpful stereotypes.
These tips aim to distill practical wisdom to help CXOs and influencers walk the talk when it comes to responsible, ethical use of their platforms. But most importantly, operate from a place of purpose, integrity and care. Get your ego out of the way.
Focus on contributing value not garnering viral shares.
And ground yourself in the duty we all have to leave society better for those who come next. You have an opportunity every day to have a positive impact through your voice. Make the most of it.
Why not take next step, consider how your words, resources can empower yourself, others, your staff to ask the right questions and #FixTheWorld even?
So, can you embody those principles and tips and become a #ResponsibleInfluencer ?
Pass this challenge onto others that might benefit, I Dare you! FixTheWorld.4Good.Space