Always ask yourself, "Fact or Opinion?"

Social media is a powerful tool. It is also important nowadays to reach, build relationships and engage with your audience. This also can be used effectively in the business to create leads and finally sell your product and services. Everybody knows the power of using social media. However, it also has an evil in it. Your personal security and safety are at stake. You are at the risk of cyber bullying. Army of trolls is waiting for you. You don’t know the fact. Even mainstream media is also reporting one sided news. The other side of the news, which is inconvenient to them, is never broadcasted and the same is applicable for social media. People who look happy may not be happy in real life. In fact, social media (WhatsApp university is ahead in this) is creating half -witted citizens. Everybody is expert in everything and wants to comment on everything without understanding the logic. Sometimes they don’t even know what they are forwarding. 

The whole world is shallow, opinionated, polarised. You can see all types of emotions on social media. Sometimes, people demonstrate their natural behaviour on social media, though not real life. Reporters and journalists are not reporting facts but their opinion. Everybody has their own biases based on their friable value system.  

The issue is not about the social media itself; the issue is about knowing what fact is and what perception, opinion is. In day to day, professional and personal life, we create opinions and perceptions and comment without understanding facts. We become judgemental about people, situations and everything without giving much thought. We don’t discuss events but people. We tag people in different categories based on our opinions.     

We tend to be driven by our emotions and opinions, which create a vicious cycle by fuelling each other. Our emotions strengthen our opinions, which in turn, intensify our emotions. This leads to impulsive acts and unhelpful longer-term consequences, which help to maintain the overall problem. This behaviour creates unnecessary tension in the society, relationship, personal & professional life.

Realising that many thoughts are opinion rather than fact makes it less likely that we’ll be distressed by them, and more able to make wise and calm decisions about the best action to take.

Hence whenever you read something or encounter some situation, ask a simple question, Facts or Opinion?

Facts are evidence based which supports truth. Facts are indisputable. They are driven by rational thought process.

However, Opinions and perceptions are based on our belief and personal views. Opinions can be argued easily. They are driven by emotions and personal feelings.

When you realise that these are opinions and perceptions, we can dive deep to understand it more.

During the feedback session, when the manager gives the feedback about some behaviour ask him the situation where he has observed that behaviour. If you are the manager, give the example of a situation where an employee demonstrated such behaviour. That’s the fact. Without giving any logic and context, it is just an opinion.

Take an example, your colleague walked fast ignoring your presence. It upsets you.

You may think, “How rude he is, or he is just selfish. He approaches only when he has some work.”  Here, the fact is only he walked fast & ignored you, rest all is opinion, your interpretation of the event. The reason behind, he has ignored you, may be different. Perhaps his mind may be pre-occupied. 

Asking this question, “fact or opinion”? has one benefit. You become mindful. You become free from unnecessary worries and unhappiness.

Just get into the habit of asking yourself, facts or opinion?

(Opinions are purely personal & does not represent my organization)

Please read the print replica of my latest book written for leaders on amazon kindle; Vitality in Human Resource  

Me, Media and Journalism

I started my career firstly in media marketing & research, then moved into journalism and finally ended in Human Resources. First two careers were short and those were after graduation and post-graduation. However, I gained a lot of experience in those jobs. I dealt with different types of people. In my first job, I was working with a print newspaper. I along with my teammates used to visit door to door to understand the people's taste about newspaper reading, their behaviour pattern while reading the newspaper, their buying habits etc. Based on the findings, inputs were to be given to the editorial team for designing their contents, advertisement for their sales campaign and circulation for focusing where the demand is. It was an extensive job with a lot of travel, asking questions to different people, filling forms and consolidating the research. This was an internal system to support the business growth. In this process, we also used to generate a lot of leads for advertising and circulation of newspapers. I learnt many things about people, behaviour patterns, media commerce and business here. During this period, I also saw two shades of human being, nice and evil. Most of the people treated us very well & at another side, few people insulted us.

After working a year here, I joined as a sub-editor of English edition of one of the newspapers in Maharashtra. This was a local edition. During my college days, I was writing in different newspapers. I also was writing columns on social issues, employability & some political issues around the area. I used to cover political rallies with seniors & was handling education beat that time. This was enough experience for me to start as a sub-editor. While working here, I understood the socio-political issues, writing skills, articulation skills, how to give headlines, how to edit the copy and of course how to get the information from different sources. My job was mainly desk job, coordinating with different reporters and stringers, motivating them, coaching them and getting some good news, and then editing their copy for final print. Editing the first page & editorial page was always a privilege for me. My editorial colleagues working in Marathi edition used to ask me to write for them. I also got the opportunity to write a few editorials. Working in media companies is a big challenge. Media jobs are unorganised. It needs a lot of courage, patience and strong manipulation skills. During this period, I was working an evening shift from 15.00 hrs till finalizing the print. 

There are a lot of hands behind the scene, who work hand, day and night to bring the newspaper to your doorstep. They are printers, designers, proof-readers, circulation personnel etc. They work under a lot of pressure, stress which takes the toll of their health. I used to eat meals with them while dinner and everybody has enough food for others. Today most of the jobs are clubbed together or automated because of the technology.    

Mostly all media companies are dominated by politicians. You also become political while working for them. There are different ideologies, different groups with different mindset where your personal values are compromised. This was the main internal struggle for me.    

It was an enriching experience. I can say I built my personality while working in those 2 jobs. I learn to read people and their personalities. I moved into Human Resources. During my career, I also got the opportunity to establish the HR function in the largest growing media house. I worked closely with the leadership team of media house, got the opportunity to be a part of launches of television channels, web media etc. Media convergence was one of the initiatives that time which is currently working well with integrating same news on different media platforms. I got the opportunity to work with Mckinsey, Garcia design, E&Y etc on different projects in business, editorial and Human Resource while working with this media house. In fact, that experience built my further career in Human Resource.  

"When you work in Media, you get automatic respect irrespective of which department you work. Unfortunately, this respect goes in the head of most of the people."      

Today the media is at a different level altogether. Indian media has created its image, good or bad but it has created a lot of ripple effects in the society. Unfortunately, there are very few journalists who are living with their values. Majority of them have their own agenda. They are spineless & supporting political leaders for their personal gain. Nowadays they are PR agents and spokesmen for political parties rather than journalists. Package journalism is at a high peak now. Still there are few reporters, journalists & others who are trying to bring change in the society and political space. We should recognize and appreciate their efforts.   

However, technology has given the weapon in the hands of common citizens. With the strong social media, every citizen can be the citizen journalist and address the issues they are facing. However, one should be very careful to use it properly, otherwise it may get backfire.   

Unfortunately, the media industry, mainly print media, is hit badly by coronavirus pandemic. The main revenue source of advertisement is in bad shape. People are hesitant to buy the print media because of fear of virus spread. Small media houses are on the verge of closure and large media houses are rightsizing. Unfortunately, those who report news of layoffs are now laid off. Such news will be buried under the carpet of corporate offices of media houses.  

(Opinions are purely personal & does not represent my organization)

Please read the print replica of my latest book written for leaders on amazon kindle; Vitality in Human Resource      

You are “Framed”: Covid19 Diary

You are “Framed”:  Covid19 Diary

It is customary nowadays to speak about Covid19. If somebody calls, the discussion starts with the virus and consequences of the covid19. After the whole story which everybody knows, (thanks for the social media), then we come to the point. Few companies are trying to encash the situation to market their products. But sometimes it is too funny when a marketing guy tries to co-relate his/her product with a pandemic situation. Health & wellness is important but then there are memes and videos are shared where HR is doing this too much. Manipulation is at high level. 

Initially for a few days it was relevant. Slowly people started to cope up with the situation. They are trying to understand the threat; learnt how to deal with that. Normally in any situation, human beings perceive the threat. Threats can be physical, psychological or financial. Depending upon the perceptions, there will be reactions which can be positive or negative.

But do you know that every moment, every day you are “framed” by somebody? News on the mainstream media, forwards on social media or advertisements are generated and broadcasted to manipulate the people. Political leaders, some journalists, advertisement agencies are experts in “framing” common man. Nobody checks the authenticity of the source. Common tendency is to believe on that news without applying common sense. Common sense is uncommon now a days. So-called Intellectuals are pioneered in framing techniques. This is a special technique called as Farming technique.  

The theory was first put forth by Goffman, under the title of Frame Analysis.

Framing technique works as under:

Narrative is generated based on the agenda. Stories are cooked and created putting some element of benefits, happiness, sadness, fear, and some fake narration based on the agenda of the person. 

Information is created & presented based on the narrative to influence the people. Mainly such information is not full information but part of the information. (Political leaders, so called intellectuals & mainstream media are expert in this techniques)

Framing takes this a step further in the way in which the news or information is presented creates a frame for that information. This is usually a conscious choice by journalists, leaders who are communicating – in this case a frame refers to the way the media as gatekeepers organize and present the ideas, events, and topics they cover.

Such narration then influences the choices people. People decide how to process that information. Frames are abstractions that work to organize or structure message meaning.

All over the world such framing is happening. We are framed & manipulated by everybody. As far as the intention & purpose is right, then framing techniques have the positive outcome. But most of the time, it has a negative impact on society if used keeping the selfish motive behind. Today we are insecure, fragmented because of such manipulation and framing.

People are stressful, people are perceiving the threat, this is because of different and scary news broadcasted by the mainstream media and circulated by social media.

But then I realised we have already started to live with the situation. The newness of work from home now is not there and people want to go to offices desperately. There are few people who are still worried. However good organizations are gearing for the new normal & giving them confidence. 

As a common citizen, we need to keep our ears and eyes open and apply the logic. Understand the facts and figures, ask yourself questions, so that you are not “framed” and manipulated.

Can we use this technique positively? Yes. If you have the story which is based on the facts and inspires others. In such circumstances, leaders need to understand this and design the communication and frame the message so that people perceive the situation positively. Here literally corporate leaders can use the “framing techniques” in a positive way.

They can do it by understanding the issues, concern areas and setting an agenda. Once the agenda is set, they can create stories which are inspirational. Create an ethical frame where the message is clear, and people will not perceive differently. It is very difficult to manage such message. It is observed that ethical aspect is always ignored over benefits of power and money while framing. Simple example of this ignorance of ethical aspect is employees reporting late on duty. Most of the manufacturing companies in India had the policy of deduction of leave in case of employee reports late 3 or more times in a month. The reason behind this was that employees would come on time because of fear of losing leave. But in such cases, the situation hardly improved and employees continued to report late. Ethical aspect (being punctual) was replaced with right (after leave deduction). While framing this ethical aspect always should be considered and messages should be enforced accordingly.  

Person can view the situation as per his perceptions, but framing should give him realty of the ground and hopes that he can survive from the situation. During such pandemic, our Prime Minister and even Chief Minister are giving hopes, but unfortunately, few people are trying to manipulate us by just creating a narrative which has their own agenda and selfish motive.

Let’s take an example of Covid19.

With a lot of information about infections and death, everybody is scared. The mental frame is strong with the assumption that if we go out, we will die.

The frame is created as under:

Pandemic situation is because of a deadly virus, people are dying globally, there is no medicine and vaccine. If I get infected, society will view me differently, I will suffer, and my family will suffer. We will have a social stigma. I will also die, and I don’t know what will happen to my family.

This can be framed positively as under:

Pandemic situation is because of a deadly virus but people don’t die because of the virus. It is because of respiratory failure and if the infection is reported early, take a treatment, life can be saved very easily. People are infecting and dying but survival rate more than death and death cases are because of late reporting or people having some type of illness. However, I need to take care of me and my family and follow social distancing, wear a mask, keep personal hygiene and if I have symptoms, I should go immediately to the doctor. There are a lot of people who are fully cured and discharged.

You can also use facts & data while using the framing technique to make it more authentic.    

As a common man, we just can do one thing and that is use our brain. While watching any news, reading any social media post, use the lens of common sense. Best way is to ignore all news channel and social media post.      

(Ref: Frame analysis by Goffman, Framing techniques per Fairhurst and Sarr)

(Opinions are purely personal & does not represent my organization)

Please read the print replica of my latest book written for leaders on amazon kindle; Vitality in Human Resource

Postings in WhatsApp groups & Social media

As a professional, don't you think that we are sharing to much information but not a relevant knowledge? There is lot of data and information available on internet.

Earlier we used to refer "GK" to General Knowledge, today it is "Google Knowledge"

Everyday, we get lot of articles, news, opinions etc. However question is how to make that information relevant and convert into the knowledge and wisdom. We share everything which comes to us, perhaps without reading and understanding it. Most of the times it is like garbage in garbage out. By doing this we are wasting our and recipient data, time etc.

While sharing the data or information, there should be self imposed discipline.

Please ask yourself following questions before posting it.

1. Am I sharing the information which is relevant to the group?
2. Am I just copying this from somewhere and pasting it in the group without reading and understanding what it means to me and others?
3. Am I acknowledging the original author, writer of the content?
4. Am I just posting it without adding my comments and summary of the same?

If your answer is 'NO' please don't post it.

Please don't post big articles, instead, write a summary and give the link of the article. This will help readers to decide to read or not. The said link can be saved for future reference also.

By doing this, you are

1. Reading the article, it means you are understanding this properly.
2.  Are improving your writing skills and thought process by summarising it.
3. Are giving due credit to the author of the article, content etc
4. Are saving the data of yourself and others.
5. Are helping the author and his website or blog to reach to larger audience.
   
   

   Wise person is the person who knows how to use the knowledge; Knowledgeble is who uses the information in a right spirit to convert it into the knowledge; Informer collects the data & put in a structure. The problem is with fool who just copy, paste, post and trsnafer the data without understanding it. @vinodbidwaik

Why are you on Social Media?

If you have the talent and you want to exhibit it to people, you don’t need dedicated media. You have YouTube. Just record your talent, post it on you tube and circulate the link through e-mail, Facebook and Google plus. You can also create your own channel. Now we can’t say that we don’t have any exposure. We have lot of exposure…  

Social sites are very effective tools if used properly. Different social sites have different characteristic and utility value. Facebook is for leisure and fun, LinkedIn is for professional networking, you can share your slides on slideshare, on BlogSpot you can express your opinion and views, you can upload documents, videos, slides. But your objective should be clear. However most of the time we get confused and don’t have the clear objective.

Facebook is the media where people get the opportunity to glorify themselves. At one stage everybody wants to be recognized and this hunger of publicity and recognition is fulfilled on Facebook. If you see the posts and updates, you don’t actually get something which has the value. People exposed their personal life on the Facebook and make everything public. You come to know about the person, where s/he is, what s/he is doing, where s/he is vacationing, what s/he is drinking, what s/he is eating, when s/he is doing the romance with his/her girlfriend/boyfriend or spouse and so on… and once it is on internet, you already made it public.

So you are on the public domain with all the details. Anti-social elements can use these details to damage your reputation. There is the case where person updated the status about travelling, and when he came back, his house was cleaned by thieves.  You also must have read the funny story recently in newspaper where the thief send the friendship request and got caught. (this also is one of the benefits of Facebook!)

I use most of the social media and I can definitely say that I am benefitted a lot. If you use following tips, you can leverage on the social media…

Objective: When you start using the social media, firstly your objective should be clear. LinkedIn is for professional networking and your professional branding. Use this for the same purpose. Facebook also can be for personal branding, but there is a trap. Ask the question yourself, “why do you want to spend time on Facebook?” is it just for the leisure, fun, networking, making friends or creating your own personal brand? You can find your old friends and colleagues on Facebook, but would you love to be in touch with them only in virtual world or want to take it further? Will you network with your boss, colleagues etc? 

Your Facebook profile has the identity, it is your brand. People may judge you based on your posting, likes and comments. Sometimes, HR professionals may dig into your profile to assess you.

Whatsoever is your objective is, keep confidential and (so) personal information out of the facebook.

You can use Facebook for two purposes,

1) Just for making friends (as far as possible known friends and old classmates).  Suggestion is, don’t make it too personal. You can actually keep this for your close friends and relatives. Choose your friends very carefully. Remember, the posts what they are sharing will be on you wall and it may have adverse effect on your reputation.    

2) Creating your personal brand in the virtual world. You can actually use your talent and intellect here to make your image. Yes, image building exercise!

You can also create your personal page on the Facebook if you want to make it for professional use. Here you share the stuff which is not personal and you allow to join anybody.

Keep in  the mind that Big Brother is always watching you.