tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post6048520139752576354..comments2023-11-02T20:45:14.873+11:00Comments on eGov AU: Could the fear of adopting social media be due to a fear of death?Craig Thomlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18350603210658700252noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-62227038903167310572011-06-20T13:21:05.878+10:002011-06-20T13:21:05.878+10:00Craig - Read Gareth Morgan’s Images of Organizatio...Craig - Read Gareth Morgan’s Images of Organization. Chapter 7 looks at organisations as "psychic prisons" and he explores this kind of issue.James Dellowhttp://chieftech.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-26355163704103025182011-06-20T13:02:33.749+10:002011-06-20T13:02:33.749+10:00IANAP* but, I am concerned that this analysis assu...IANAP* but, I am concerned that this analysis assumes that senior officials are unable to understand and mange risks. In my experience, this is not generally the case. Interestingly, nor does it reflect risk taking behaviour in the wider community. For example, the causal links between smoking and death or speeding and death seem much closer and yet people still speed and smoke, sometimes simultaneously (and, worse if one is to believe press reports, while also using social media on their smartphones!). <br /><br />Risk is a function of likelihood and consequence. If, for the sake of argument, one does accept that death is the outcome of social media mistakes (and I don't), it would be reasonable that individuals would see this as being an extreme consequence. However, the likelihood of this outcome is extremely rare. I don't know of any mistakes made by senior officials that have directly led to their death - and this analysis implies such a direct link. The consequent risk is very low; the sort of risk that is normally managed by 'acceptance', perhaps with a heightened awareness.<br /><br />Rather than focussing on the negative, I suspect many senior officials consider a range of other factors, such as:<br />- what will I stop doing to give me time to consider social media?<br />- how will I get the facts on social media?<br />- how will the use of social media improve my organisation's ability to achieve its outcomes?<br />- where is the evidence that social media is specifically an advantage (NB: as opposed to a good thing generally)?<br /><br />There are many more. Resources are available to address these questions but the issue of finding time to review them is very real. <br /><br />The thought process described is not typical. Senior officials, like most public servants, do worry about making mistakes - because they are professionals, care about their work and want to do the best that they can - not because they are afraid of death. IMHO, it is much easier to cast stereotypical aspersions from outside the APS than it is to manage complex issues within it - but now I'm getting defensive.<br /><br />Thanks Craig for the thought provoking opportunity this article as provided.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />John<br /><br />* - I am not a psychologist<br /><br />PS - these are my personal opinions only.John Sheridanhttp://www.agimo.govspace.gov.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8750343339904865739.post-39196668442561370122011-06-20T11:11:37.430+10:002011-06-20T11:11:37.430+10:00I've heard variations on this though process f...I've heard variations on this though process from public servants - it certainly fits with those who have fears of social media.<br /><br />I also heard and talked about similar thought processes in the 90s - when the fear was about the whole of the internet.<br /><br />Perhaps, in ten years, similar thought processes will be about only a particular social media site?CER NThttps://twitter.com/CERNTnoreply@blogger.com