Shel Holtz had an interesting analysis on why professional communicators are lagging.
Communicators, as a profession, are woefully behind the curve when it comes to participatory communication, and I've come to the conclusion that there is one overarching reason for this: Communicators don't like or understand channels over which they cannot exercise complete control.
Holtz' long post (about the role of professional associations) makes a solid point that too many folks wearing a 'communicator' hat "are woefully behind the curve" with regard to new media channels, a.k.a. participatory media, a.k.a. social media.
I have no problem with people being behind the curve -who isn't, considering how fast the curve is rising? â€" but it gets scary when people seem disinterested in where the curve is taking us and our organizations. I often hear the "we're getting there slowly" response. Which is code for "We aren't really sure if this will be relevant." Not the same as diving in, and taking baby steps, which I often advocate.
To put things in perspective, Commmunicators aren't the only ones behind the curve.
- Lawyers are behind the curve
- Politicians are behind the curve
- Students are supposedly behind the curve
- Healthcare is also tailgating the curve
The trick is to not be so deliriously happy staying in the laggard position, and do nothing about it.
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