In the business world, there is a simple way of working out who we are in our professional personas. Social science research indicates that who we are at work is defined by what others think of us, how they measure our behaviours and actions, how they perceive our characters and motivations and how they compare us to others.
When we meet our colleagues and clients in the office others form an impression of us based on how firm are our handshakes, how our voices sound? In those circumstances, we don't get an opportunity to see ourselves as to how others see us, and our feedback is only as good as the signals as others convey, or what they tell us.
Today when much of our communications take place online, we have access to much of the same information as others do. The data we produce on the internet is used to make quick judgements about our personal and professional attributes especially at the time of recruiting, hiring, investing, collaborating with us.
Even if the social media account is private, there is ample information that a determined person can access. Consider how easily the corporates evaluate our digital personas and send us promotion materials for products.
The option with us is that while the corporates are busy gathering information we can curate our digital profile in a way that will influence them. Whatever be your goals you should be aware of your story in public and understand how to change it.
Understand the algorithm
AI identifies signals and patterns like humans but in a more rigid, prescriptive and formulaic way. If this is understood you can curate the image you want others to see. A minor change in your online presence can change the conclusions about you.
- Photographs: You can manage many aspects of your appearance. Rather than changing your actual appearance by hiring a stylist, you can invest in a software that would allow you to modify your picture.
- Videos: People form impressions based on videos posted on the internet. When you post videos in the public domain, make sure they depict you in a favourable light and capture only words, appearance, body language that you feel are appropriate.
- Words used for communication: Textual analysis tools are available that matches certain words that people use with certain traits. pay attention to what and how you communicate. positive words are associated with extroverts. Smart and curious tend to use complex, unusual words. Swear words can signify antisocial tendencies.
- Social media postings & likes: Each of these can be analysed and related to personality, beliefs, preferences and consumer behaviour. There is a lot of research that indicates that our social activity is an accurate indicator of our deepest traits. the more you can enlighten and inspire the better.
Managing your avatar
Digital avatars are increasingly important in everyone's personal and professional brand. Consider your audience who could be employers, employees, investors, count, government officers.
Consider what sort of a digital presence you wish others to have of you. It could be as simple as adding, removing, changing photo or a posting. Others would like to have a comprehensive and sustained presence. It is also necessary to consider your profile concerning the profile of your peer group. Finding the right balance between fitting in and standing out is the key to success.
How to Curate Your Digital Persona
by Ben Dattner and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
HBR July 03, 2020
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