Oprah On Facebook and Twitter: Bring On More Global Leaders
I’ve been eager for Oprah to join the Twitterverse for some time. As you can see by this fun comic strip I made back on September 24, 2008, my cartoon self was enthusiastically encouraging cartoon Oprah to join Facebook and Twitter!!
Yesterday on the Oprah and Friends show, even with celeb guest Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk on Twitter) and Twitter’s CEO Evan Williams (@ev), Oprah seemed to be getting to grips with what exactly Twitter is, how to use it, why anyone would want such a large following (one million plus) and what to say! But, I do believe she’s starting to catch the vision.
Here’s the thing: can you imagine the even bigger difference we can make on the planet individually and collectively when more and more visionaries, enlightened leaders and luminaries fully integrate the power of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter?!
On Monday, I had the absolute privilege of leading a social media webinar for the Transformational Leadership Council (TLC), with cofounders and members including Jack Canfield, Marie Diamond, DC Cordova, John Assaraf, Raymond Aaron, Hale Dwoskin, Ivan Misner, Donna Steinhorn, Jim Bunch, and many more. I am deeply moved at the power of what I’m starting to call Conscious Social Media and Mindful Tweeting.
See, everything matters. Everything counts. It’s all energy. It’s the ripple effect, or the BUTTERFLY EFFECT.
“The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events. Had the butterfly not flapped its wings, the trajectory of the system might have been vastly different.” [From Wikipedia]
What if more people on Twitter and Facebook really stopped to think about their messages and how much impact even one tweet or Facebook wall post, for example, can make to a person’s life?
I actually believe having a large following — online or offline, but particularly through social media due to the rapid uptake — is a big responsibility. But not responsibility from a point of burden, but of joy and purpose. Surely we can use these mediums to create more good.
I’d love to hear your thoughts below: do you think social media is helping to transform the world? To raise the consciousness of the planet? Do you think those who are already global leaders and have large followings outside of social media have a greater responsibility when joining sites like Twitter? Do you have any wonderful stories to share of how something has touched your life through social media?
Mari;
Nicely stated and a thought surely worth considering. I love your sentence that, “we can use these mediums to create more good”. A while back through literally a snafu in someone’s emailing response system…100’s of us received numerous emails. The amazing thing is some people became so annoyed that they were threatening law suits, while others saw it as serendipity and slowly started reaching out to the strangers who were now unexpectantly connected. The stories that were shared were amazing. To some it was literally life changing in that they were in very dark moments and the kindness and generosity they experienced gave them new determination or words of inspiration. This occurred a few months ago and to date, I still keep in touch with quite a few of the wonderful people I met by a random email free for all. One never knows how their actions can affect another human being and we should all be more cognizant. Thanks for the reminder. You lead by the best example so it is a privilege
to be able to connect with you. Continued success always…
Sincerely,
Gina McNew
HI Mari, Yes I truly believe in the power of social media. My life has certainly changed since I got involved with FTY (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) I have me some amazing people, including you . I have learned so much about internet marketing from the tidbits people share on Twitter. I feel it is an important part of operating a business.
Whitney Pannells last blog post..Pictures of Coach Calipari’s New House
Mari… great post and commentary. I do believe those who have a large following should use the power of social media to impact change – our recent new president has been the leader of the pack and the greatest example.
I was a bit skeptical of the Ashton Kutcher 1million campaign until I had the chance to look below the surface at what was really taking place. If we think about it, all of what we hear from mainstream media is filtered to some degree or another.
The first filter is – will it boost our ratings? Quite frankly I could care less about the networks’ ratings – it’s very self-serving for them and their profit motive. I really want to know about what’s truly newsworthy.
But anyway, without the mainstream media filters we can get pure news, many times as it’s happening, hours before mainstream media gets wind of it.
So, I would like to see more prominent leaders jump on this bandwagon and go straight to those who want to hear from them – not through a filter.
Again, thanks for the post.
Jim
Hi Mari I think you are very nice but when you say that social leaders should be on social media you have to wonder……… why do you want to take advice from Oprah or Ashton.They are ONLY CELEBS! Do you really want millions of people being swayed by ONE???????????????????? Are they qualified. You must admit that there are a lot of mindless people out there. I know Oprah would be a big notch in your belt but Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaasssssssse.. leave this stuff for the unbiased if they exist.
Just one mans opinion.
I believe that social media can be transformational both in business and ideologically. Leaders who want a direct connection to many of their audiences can achieve that using Twitter and other social media.
Social media has the potential for enabling leaders to understand and interact with their audiences, which gives them more opportunity to answer concerns and hone their message. Your example of Oprah works very well as does your discussion elsewhere of President Obama.
Current global leaders have a responsibility to society and the world to understand the people they lead and guide the world along the best possible path.
My life has been touched by social media through friends reaching out, the introduction of business partners and the broadening of my world through interacting with more people.
Social media is definitely starting to play a role in transforming the way we communicate with one another. As more people join the world of “social marketing” we learn more about others around the world and we gain instant knowledge of how they think and perceive the world.
Hi Mari,
Well its very nice to have people like Oprah involved in public forums. But in reality everyone is truly responsible for themselves and need to face this.Oprah and other celebrities and “world leaders”are just human beings like everyone else and its entirely misleading for them and the planetary consciousness to encourage or expect these people to give guidance or “answers”to our problems.
This is not to say that we cannot help or support one another in meaningful ways but that it needs always to require an individual to take the responsibility for their own lives and actions.
With warm regards and best wishes, Tony Bennion (Zarnik)
Hi Mari,
I believe that Twitter by far has a huge possibility of making an impact on the world, not only in being transparent, but as well as getting your message out to Thousands if not more.
Facebook I believe is more personal, and closer to most of our homes.
Either way I love your thoughts!
Jeff
I have noticed, as somewhat of a newbie, that some people connect with me on twitter just to have more . . . what? people following? Most are clear that their only purpose is to make money. Facebook seems a little more conscious, though I really don’t like all the stupid apps, and have finally refused to play with them. I know my purpose, or purposes, and I am living them. Since I live in a very small town on the western edge of the continent, one the border with Canada, I have to drive at least 45 minutes to actually find people who are on a similar trajectory, so the internet is a real help . . . when I can find like minds.
Mari, where is your nose in the comic?….but yes Twitter and Social Media will make huge advances in relationships and how we connect and share ideas. Keep up the great work.