Connecting with your tribe

This last week I attended and presented at the 10th Social Media for Gov Summit, in Canberra, and as a result had the opportunity to meet with others who’s work is focused on social media. To be honest it could not have been more opportune, as there is nothing better than having a moment in time that allows you to step away from your work and look at the bigger picture. Grasping hold of the bigger picture enables one to understand where you fit, that the challenges you face are not unique to your situation and that real possibilities exist.

Having a tribe that you connect with ensures that you are less likely to get caught up in the silo of your work and its nuances.  It allows broader conversations to begin and grow into deep understanding, which is empowering.  This in turn reduces the possibility of that unpleasant moment where you get stuck in a cycle that is unproductive. Ultimately, it allows you to embrace a more outward looking focus and develop an empowering vision, through the support of the tribe.

This is where the power of social media sits. It provides a means for the tribe to meet. It is easy to participate in small talk at a conference, but developing meaningful networks and relationships are now able to exist like never before through the use of social media. Seizing this opportunity allows those of us who work in an area that can be isolating to suddenly no longer feel like we are stranded on an island with limited supplies.