NHS Employers issues advice for utilising new platforms
The recent explosion of social media can help chief executives work in a different way, according to new guidance published this week.
NHS Employers has issued a briefing to health care bosses on how they can use social media platforms to better communicate with staff, network with peers and build a collaborative leadership style.
“Every facet of the NHS is represented on social media,” points out the report, including Department of Health officials, doctors, nurses, patient groups, and HR and finance professionals.
It adds that these new communication and discussion channels provide an opportunity for senior leaders to engage with a range of stakeholders and exert influence at a local, regional and national level.
Here are the guide’s top five tips on how social media can help chief executives in their day-to-day jobs:
- Deliberative engagement
This concept is about giving participants time to consider and discuss an issue in depth before reaching a considered decision. The lack of physical or geographical boundaries across social media lends itself well to this type of engagement.
- Setting, maintaining and communicating a vision
A major part of any leadership role, social media can allow chief execs to communicate their ideas, strategy and enthusiasm in an unambiguous way to a wide and varied audience.
- Consistent communication with multiple stakeholders
Blogs and Twitter offer chief executives an easy way to provide a clear and consistent message to their many stakeholders – including staff, patient group, MPs and the media.
- Networking with peers
Social media offers a real-time network of fellow chief executives to offer support and inspiration. It provides a conduit to share local best practice, discuss tough questions and exchange ideas.
- Helping build a collaborative leadership style
The very nature of social media is collaborative – it provides a forum to share information, post blogs or follow a hashtagged discussion. “By openly discussing the hard choices your organisation faces, you will help build social capital with stakeholders,” concludes the report.