In a Forbes magazine article, Susan Tardanico, the CEO of the Authentic Leadership Alliance, introduces the relationship of social media and communication by telling a story of a suicide attempt. Sharon Seline was texting her daughter receiving positive statements, but later that night her daughter tried to kill her self. Tardanico uses the story to propose that social media is not offering authentic communication. The majority of authentic communication is based on nonverbal body language; social media cannot provide nonverbal language. She explains that people hide behind the identities they present on social media, and without the nonverbal cues the viewers cannot truly feel connected. With social media every where in sight it would seem to connect us more, but it is leading to a disconnect among humans. She suggests using social media in a way that benefits technology while not losing personal connections.
Tardanico draws on the idea of business occurring while playing golf. Face to face communication leads to deeper relationships, and better understanding. In a business setting, making deals on the golf course leads to better deals, and functionally more effective off the course. Since face to face communication has proven to be more effective than social media connections, Tardanico suggests we need to create cultures where face to face communication is the norm.
She lists six ways to keep communication real. One, address your personal issues by clearing confusions by a phone call or face to face communication. Two, check your own communication skills to ensure you are sending the right message. Three, understand that meaningful communication can be a challenge. Four, find a way to stay connected with others so your relationships continue to flourish. Five, make sure your actions are consistent with your words. And six, keep communication on the two-way path.
I choose to write a True Summary for my article summary. By writing a true summary I was clearly laying out some facts about social media and connection. It may be the first time that my audience reads about using social media in a way that creates real communication. Having some solid facts, and only the author's opinions allows the reader to come up with their own opinion. If I wrote a interpretive summary then my views might sway the readers which is not my goal.
Tardanico, Susan. "Is Social Media Sabotaging Real Communication?" Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 30 Apr. 2012. Web. 05 Mar. 2016.
-Regina Ballew