When I’m home from college, I usually tag along with my family to my little sister’s Girl Scout troop meetings. It’s been at least seven years since I had my own Girl Scout meetings to attend, but despite all that time, the whole process seems pretty much the same. That being said, I still notice striking differences between the topics and activities I took part in, versus the ones my sister’s troop does.
While my troop introduced the idea of harmful beauty standards through Barbie dolls and mainstream movies, my sister’s troop was analyzing how social media can distort self-image and foster unhealthy comparisons. Her troop had an entire portion of the year dedicated to exploring the media and ways that people can communicate via digital and traditional means. I doubt my troop even discussed the internet outside of maybe warning us not to disclose personal information on it. I recently discovered that Girl Scouts even introduced a Digital Leadership badge in 2021, which is what initially prompted me to reflect on the increasingly prevalent role that technology plays in leadership.
With technology continuously evolving, I think that digital leadership is a skill that everyone, not only Girl Scouts, can benefit from. Although Digital leadership can be defined in different ways depending on the context, I use it to describe utilizing digital technologies (such as social media, data analytics, and the internet) to drive positive change. Digital leadership aligns with many Illinois Leadership Competencies, but I would like to examine some examples of how it can be used specifically for communication and social justice.
Communication: Modern technology has not only transformed communication overall but has also expanded how it can be used within the context of leadership. With countless platforms that allow users to instant message, video call, and collaborate remotely, teams can communicate faster and farther than ever before. From large organizations to individuals, many decisions rely on data. Insights discerned from data must be effectively communicated for decision-makers to successfully use them. This is why I see those who interpret and communicate data as examples of digital leaders. Additionally, social media is a space where users can share their perspectives and experiences with a wide audience, allowing others to examine and learn from different viewpoints.
Social justice: Social media has created a new channel for spreading awareness on important societal issues. As opposed to traditional media sources, the fewer barriers to sharing a message have offered more ways for marginalized voices to be heard and amplified. An integral aspect of social justice is taking action to reduce inequalities and create meaningful change, which often requires extensive organizing. Those who use digital means to communicate their message and organize collective efforts to make a positive impact, such as through protests, fundraisers, and boycotts, are great examples of digital leaders. Furthermore, the internet provides so many resources and opportunities for further learning and education, many of which are free or easily accessible.
Digital leadership is an important and ever-growing practice with many avenues to engage in. I only see it becoming more prevalent in the future as the digital world continues to expand.
