How can you use social media to improve communication with your manager?

1 Choose the right platform

Not all social media platforms are created equal when it comes to professional communication. Some are more formal and business-oriented, such as LinkedIn, while others are more casual and personal, such as Facebook or Instagram. Depending on your manager's preferences and expectations, you may want to choose a different platform to communicate with them. For example, you can use LinkedIn to share industry news, insights, and feedback, or to congratulate them on their achievements and endorsements. You can use Facebook or Instagram to show your personality, hobbies, and interests, or to comment on their posts and stories. However, be careful not to cross the line between friendly and intrusive, and always respect your manager's privacy and boundaries.

2 Be consistent and authentic

One of the benefits of using social media to communicate with your manager is that you can show them who you are beyond your work role. This can help you build trust, rapport, and engagement with your boss. However, to do this effectively, you need to be consistent and authentic in your social media presence. Don't try to impress your manager by pretending to be someone you are not, or by posting things that are not relevant or aligned with your values and goals. Instead, be yourself and share what you are passionate about, what you are learning, and what you are proud of. This way, you can demonstrate your value, skills, and potential, as well as your personality and character.

3 Engage in meaningful conversations

Another way to use social media to improve communication with your manager is to engage in meaningful conversations with them. This means not only liking and commenting on their posts, but also asking questions, sharing opinions, and providing feedback. By doing this, you can show your interest, curiosity, and appreciation for your manager's work and perspective. You can also learn from their experience, insights, and advice, and gain a deeper understanding of their expectations and goals. Moreover, you can create opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving, by exchanging ideas, suggestions, and solutions.

5 Balance the personal and professional

Finally, one of the challenges of using social media to communicate with your manager is to balance the personal and professional aspects of your relationship. While social media can help you connect with your boss on a more human and emotional level, it can also blur the lines between your work and your life. To maintain a healthy and productive relationship with your manager, you need to balance the personal and professional interactions on social media. For example, you can share some personal details, such as your hobbies, interests, and achievements, but not too much, such as your personal problems, opinions, or preferences. You can also show your support, gratitude, and recognition for your manager, but not too much, such as by flattering, praising, or agreeing with everything they say.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?