How to Maintain Integrity on Social Media: Best Practices for Professionals
"In a world full of shortcuts,
integrity is the long path worth taking."
– Joseph Wood Crutch
Historically, technology has been used primarily for productivity. The social world was a distinctly separate part of our lives for time immemorial, and the enmeshment of the digital space with our social world in the past few decades has led to a proliferation of complex problems. Take, for instance, the fact that it is increasingly difficult to discern between real and illusory images on social media accounts, and that we often compare ourselves to photos that are artificial in nature. As Tony Cox suggests in our podcast episode “The Thriving Mindset: Navigating Fixed Mindset Beliefs”:
“When we talk about social media and the age of Photoshop, many people have unattainable beauty. We see pictures of people that aren’t even real. And so to try to attain something that doesn't even actually exist is such a really dangerous thing for all of us in this world that we're living in.”
While at first glance the digital space may sound like more of a personal issue to grapple with, we also cannot overlook how it affects the world of business.
There are countless questions to ask yourself about how to manage social media in a healthy and productive manner, with integrity and conscious awareness. For instance, how, as a business CEO or team player, do you stop comparing yourself to others constantly online, draining your energy when it could be utilized for more urgent matters? How do you keep your social media presence grounded in an inspired vision when there is always the temptation to leverage AI or other systems to create inauthentic content?
The digital landscape is rapidly shifting. In times like these, you’re not alone in learning how to thrive online. Read on for three simple, illuminating tips for walking the high road and maintaining integrity through your business and personal accounts online.
#1: Reflect On How to Post Authentically
Have you noticed that the tide of trends is turning – thankfully, for the better – towards content that is authentic, personal, and real?
A large cohort of individuals online are starving to hear real stories. They have grown tired of gimmicky presentations and disillusioned by grandiose marketing schemes. What they want is to see real faces who share honest, engaging, and meaningful information.
Yet this push towards authenticity exists in a polarizing relationship with the ever-present temptation that there is on social media to copy and paste what top performers are doing. You are constantly running into accounts who seem to have more refreshing and captivating images and insights than yourself, right?
Wrong. Because once you turn inward to reflect on your company’s true story, and the way in which you want to project your future self into the world, all of that noise will fade into the background and you will find your edge naturally.
Remember that the power of authenticity does not apply solely to personal development – it is a catalyst for how you make your business connect with others on a truly meaningful, unforgettable level.
#2: Research Inspiration Rather Than Competition
If you are interested in hitting a high peak in your business immediately, then perhaps grinding away as you copy and paste your top competitor’s moves will get you there. However, if you truly want to maintain integrity and longevity in the long-term, then you must approach all facets of content research, planning, and execution with a focus on gathering genuine inspiration.
How can you gather inspiration for social media? Start by researching niche interests that are relevant and captivating for you. You can even consider expanding your comfort zone by attending in-person events to connect with successful and motivational people, for the most inspiring encounters often occur through real-life connections.
#3: Create Meaningful Off-Screen Time (Bonus: With Colleagues!)
Speaking of real-life connections, do not overlook the art of distancing yourself from your social media accounts in order for them to grow organically. Here at Thrive, our team has embarked on countless hikes in the Boreal Forest here in Northern Ontario – not with the intention of pumping out endless content for social media, but with the intention of connecting to nature, ourselves, and each other.
On these hikes, natural moments occur where we become inspired to take photos or engage in brainstorming sessions. The key is that none of this is forced, and it reaffirms the bond that we have as a team in-person, enriching both our quality of life and our ability to be productive individuals.
Consider that meaningful off-screen time is necessary, especially when you are on the brink of burnout or have even been pushing others to that point. In the era of hyper-productivity, it can be easy to forget that real, authentic work and content can indeed come naturally, and that the best content in life naturally unfolds when people are well, inspired, and recharged from outdoor adventures.
Journalling Prompts for Social Media Best Practices
Thank you for taking a moment in your day to reflect on how you can cultivate greater integrity in the digital landscape, whether through exercising authenticity, exploring inspiration, or creating meaningful time off-screen.
Utilize the reflection prompts below to develop further strategic insights on how you can leverage the power of integrity for your personal or business platforms.
How can I be more authentic on my personal or professional social media platforms?
What are some ideas I have for finding inspiration for social media rather than always seeking to ‘beat competitors’?
What are some ideas I have for creating time to disconnect from technology and connect to people and places (whether leading my team or leading myself to do so)?
