Communication has changed, and social media has emerged.
There is little question that significant technology advancements have changed the way information is acquired and communicated on both a micro and large scale. Social media has completely changed how we communicate, whether it is Facebook, Twitter, and Linked-In, Instagram, Pinterest, and so on.
Social media plays a significant role in the delivery of communications in the public sector, but the messages must be factual, understandable, and consistent throughout the whole organization.
In our culture, everything is always on. Right, the quicker the better. It must be real if you saw it online. Isn’t having any information better than having none at all? Send the word out as soon as you can, especially in an emergency—time is of the essence. How often have i read an online article that has factual or grammatical errors? Social media use must be thoroughly planned and strategically executed across the whole business for the stated purpose(s) or purposes; otherwise, it will be ineffective, possibly harmful, and, in extreme circumstances, may lead to public uncertainty, fear, and suspicion.
Before sending an email, read it again and again. It used to be advised to reflect before you speak and to say only what you average and average just what you say. Although the advancement of communication has made it possible to send messages and data to wide audiences fast, it can and ought to not take the place of correct information. Timing, amount, and quality of communications and information need to be properly balanced.
The speed and quantity of individuals to whom a message may be sent at once should cause pause and urge public sector workers to be thoughtful in what they say and how it may be understood, which is another paradox of this growth of high-tech communication. It’s important to keep in mind that this cannot be Las Vegas and that whatever you say or do, especially in public, might be examined and dissected by a huge audience in the time it costs to post a tweet or publish a picture or video online.
Text communication or in-person interactions?
Which one do you favor? The day troops stop giving you their concerns is the moment that you have ceased leading them, said military strategist and politician Colin Powell. They either no longer believe you can assist them or believe you don’t care. Both situations include a lack of leadership. The value of face-to-face interactions, one-on-one contact, and/or conventional public venues, in my opinion, cannot be exaggerated or understated.
There is a phenomenon in the wider public sector that I refer to as the “Fishbowl Effect.” The “Fishbowl Effect,” a claim that those who work for the public sector must be evaluated to a higher standard, is influenced by politics, the media, public scrutiny, openness, and accountability. The things you do speak louder than your words, because reality is based on perception. Why?
Because performing for the general population requires a strong dedication to helping and involving individuals within a community you are an aspect of while concurrently being an advocate, self-reflection and particular predispositions are crucial. Employees in the public sector are entrusted with a huge amount of duty as fiduciaries of public monies. Employees in the public sector have a responsibility to engage those people in conversation about their concerns, whether they are residents, business owners, or other stakeholders, whether it be during a procedure for planning, budget hearing, or other type of public business.
Calls are excellent, and I strive to return calls within 24 hours, if only to acknowledge that I have received the message and will be in touch by the specified date with a response. Texting and emailing are undoubtedly fine, but I think they should be used to augment rather than replace phone conversations and in-person meetings. I am a strong believer and advocate that in-person interactions and one-on-one contact are the only ways to really build trust and confidence, and it is our duty as public sector personnel to see to it that these chances are made available.
Clear and Constant Message Delivery
The Facts Are…: A Guide to Inaccuracy and Advertising in the Press in Radio is a 1942 edition of George Seldes’ weekly newsletter, In Reality, Inc., in which he discussed the press’s influence and corruption, largely as a result of its tight ties to special interests. What is perhaps the most potent force in modern-day America, he asked? public opinion, of course. What influences popular opinion? The press is the key factor, you said. Is this still accurate now?
Public opinion, in my view, is just as important—if not more—today as it was in 1942. Our culture is always being inundated with information, message, and editorials, whether from “the press,” a different news organization, or an online troll. Therefore, it’s crucial that these information transmittals be accurate, timely, and convey a consistent message, especially in the public sector.
Regardless of the medium, the media has always and will continue to disseminate news, events, and other types of content to a sizable audience—the general public. The media and the influence of public opinion have persisted and been ever-present as communication has progressed past oral tradition to written word conveyed by The Pony Express and telegraph lines. The quickness at which communications are sent and received is the only distinction.
Consider the prominent figures throughout history who have stood by the media and made the best use of it as a resource. Many also refer to them as some of the most charismatic figures in history. Several spring to mind: President Theodore Roosevelt, who was successful at communicating the media beneficially but also understood “Muckraking,” (a unfavorable metaphor for what is now generally referred to as investigating journalism), the influence that the media had in exposing corrupt business practices and social ills. Presidents Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, whose transformed “front porch campaigning,” and Theodore Roosevelt.
The presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt entered into homes throughout the nation with regular radio broadcasts that were affectionately known as “Fireside Chats” and conveyed messages in a way that captured the American people and inspired popular faith and confidence in him.
The Influence of Words
Words, whether uttered, composed, texted, or tweeted, are potent and need to be carefully considered, especially in tough situations. I cited a few historical public leaders who, in my opinion, were successful in using the media to disseminate information to sizable communities.
Consider well-known speeches that have taken place, the occasions on which they occurred, and the reasons why the addresses may or may not have had to be among the most impactful of all time, or at pivotal or watershed periods in our country’s history. Several spring to mind: The Gettysburg Address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s speech to Congress after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1942, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Had a Dream” speech, and President Bush’s address to the country on September 11, 2001 are all examples of speeches that have been cited as examples. All of these events took place across a 138-year span, were delivered to various audiences of all sizes, and used different durations and media, but they all needed exact delivery and well chosen words.
Roosevelt was quite cautious in his word choice during his speech to Congress after the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor. But he did not declare war on Germany; just on Japan. Germany declared war upon the United States three days later. During a very difficult period in American history, Dr. King, also known as Martin Luther King Jr., spoke with remarkable passion in front of a sizable crowd in an iconic public show.
Although popular at the time, it was during this oration and particularly the words “I had a Dream,” that they were so ingrained in our memories. after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President Bush spoke to the American people in front of a television camera while seated at a desk. Each word he used was thoughtfully selected, spoken, and delivered in a way that mandated that as our country’s leader, he inspire confidence in the citizens during a highly tense and vulnerable period in the 21st century.
I would strongly advise you to read argument listen to any one of the abovementioned speeches and pay close attention to the four orators’ word selection, delivery style, and commanding presence. There are several additional instances that are equally deserving of our consideration as each illustrates why it is so crucial to convey a message that is both clear and consistent. While everyone of these lectures was intended for a particular audience, it is important to keep in mind that they were also likely to be read, seen, or heard by wider, more diversified audiences.
What if President Bush or President Roosevelt did not address the country after the events of 1941 or 2001? What if President Bush delayed one or two days to send a message, especially in our 24/7/365 society? What effect would this have had upon the American people or others across the globe if the message had been spread widely by multiple organizations and individuals? Imagine if any of the speeches described above had never been spoken.