The intention of this article is to understand the importance of a leader in an organization, and also about changing the communications by using a Corporate Social Network for projects and development.

In all the Corporate Social networking projects in which I had the pleasure to work with, the participation of senior management was the keys to success creating a space for conversations, collaborations, and talent.

There were people from the organization willing to lead the project, contributing their energy, time and experience, in which all these projects achieved the best results.

On the contrary, in organizations where projects were perceived as something that others had to do and didn't concern the people who worked there, in these types of companies, projects things didn't turn out as expected.

What is the meaning of the word leadership?

Perhaps the second question is the better to understand what leadership really means. Leaders are not only who he/she claim they are, but it's more what they can achieve for a company doing great things.

One of the first leaders that J. Frank Brown defined in his book "The Global Business Leader" as "Lino" (leaders in name only), introduces up and coming leaders to skills and techniques needed to succeed in today's, and tomorrows, organizations.

I like the image that circulates on social networks, which differentiates the leader (who literally pulls the car, along with the rest of the team) from the "Lino" that demands to pull the car.

*The current leadership has changed a lot, it isn't like it used to be, far away in a watchtower separated from the rest.

The True Leader is one more of the team: openminded, caring, willing to contribute to others everything they know, demonstrating to the rest that sharing talent, ideas, expectations, and problems, will be better to achieve objectives.

Leading is transforming

The leader that opens his mind and shares ideas will transform the organization into something powerful:

• Sharing: our talent together is much more valuable than our talent separately. When we add ideas, we multiply the knowledge of the organization.

• Listen: ideas will improve if we are willing to contribute with visions of others. The organization will enriched with the contributions of all.

• Trusts the people of the organization and respects them: that is why two-way relationships works, where we can discourse things and listen and be heard. In a company, we are all the same.

• Share the objectives: if we co-create and agree on where we are going and how to get there, the involvement of the teams will be greater, because the responsibility belongs to everyone and success too.

• Work in this organization will be also fun: the road can be difficult, but as a team everything is possible, so we will face this adventure with optimism, in a positive way. We will enjoy doing what we do because we like it and we all believe in the plan we have built together.

• Open new things, without fear: it is hard to forget the final advice of Steve Jobs in his speech at Stanford (stay hungry, stay focused). We must move forward, we must explore. Let's enjoy the road, let's dream.

All these messages are part of the way in which a true leader decides to face change and innovation in their organization. And their decisions will depend on their survival. The leader is the one who helps others to succeed, to bring out the best that they have inside them.

Corporate Social Networks: A space to lead

For this reason, corporate social networking projects are often an opportunity to reorient the leadership style of an organization.

I had the opportunity and pleasure to work with leaders who took advantage of these projects to promote learning and the growth of the people in their teams. Leaders who championed the change in the way of working, which represents an open and collaborative space. People who trusted in the talent of their teams and strengthened their capabilities, giving visibility to their achievements and their progress.

These leaders built the best workplaces where everyone can grow and where employees are happy.

A long time ago, Peter Drucker pointed out that:

Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.

The true leader understands this point, understands that he needs the talent of his team, and is able to communicate with all the members to create the ultimate Dreamteam.

If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.