Reflections from Roger:

“People want to work for the right kind of leadership. And how do they assess that?” 

In a hybrid work world, the reality is that candidates are increasingly looking at your “digital footprint”. These are the views of my guest on the Your Digital Reputation podcast today, Amanda Bernardo.

Now, I know some leaders find the idea of sharing more of themselves online uncomfortable. Hearing things like “I know you from LinkedIn!” or “I know you from Twitter!” might at first feel cringeworthy, even… But this is EXACTLY how I met Amanda, and how we connected.

It’s how I learned she was helping pioneer digital capability building within the Government of Canada. It’s how I’ve kept up to date with her journey and what she cares about from across the Pacific (including being a champion for mental health). And – most importantly – it’s how her superiors, her peers and candidates who want to work with her have come to know the human behind the leader.

In the past, people have suggested Amanda share less online. It would impact her chances of becoming a leader in the public service.

You be the judge: google her name. Seriously. Her digital reputation is an invaluable leadership asset.

So, where do you sit on this issue? Are you harnessing your own digital reputation? If you’ve googled your name, is what you see a reflection of what you stand for, or a narrative told by others?

Leaders: people are looking at your social media efforts to inform whether they do or don’t want to follow you, trust you, invest in you or work for you. As Amanda reinforces in our conversation, “When it’s done right, it can serve as a massive recruitment tool.” But when it’s left to the wayside or the “not my thing” bucket, it’s an opportunity lost.

Whether you work in government or the private sector, there is so much wisdom in this conversation that all leaders and communications advisors can learn from.

I hope you enjoy Amanda’s insights as much as I did.