Each day, we Tweet, post, comment and share content on social media. Hopefully, we’re mindful of the tone, posturing and positioning of our online activity, and the needs and interests of those we seek to reach.
But what if the last thing you posted was truly the last thing you posted? What would your post, Tweet, comment or share say about who you were and how you lived?
On January 26, 2020, the world lost Kobe Bryant — basketball legend, philanthropist, father, husband. Whether you like sports or not, whether you recognized his contributions to sports and media or didn’t know his free throw record, Bryant left a unique and compelling legacy that will endure through the scores, stories, projects, people and causes he impacted.
What struck me amidst the shock of the news of his passing were mentions of the last Tweet Bryant made. The night before his death, he’d watched his friend and counterpart, Lebrón James (aka “King James”) pass his own NBA points record. In a post on Twitter, Bryant congratulated James with,
This got me thinking about legacy and intention. What if we took a different view on our social engagement? What if we truly appreciated the permanence, reach and impact of the Tweets, comments, shares and posts we make in how they define us and shape perception of our priorities?
Many clients come to me because an ill-fated Tweet or post puts them in a crosshair of public or corporate controversy. They seek ways to reestablish their presence and credibility and rebuild relationship with their online audiences. Sometimes, what gets overlooked, is the idea of rebuilding legacy.
Going forward, while we know to consider the positive and negative impacts of our Tweets, posts, comments and shares, what if we also ask ourselves what impact to our legacy our last Tweet might have if, in fact, it becomes our last. Leave a legacy that would be worthy of remembering when your life, actions, relationships and behavior are evaluated in the context of “how we knew him/her.” How would your fans, clients, children, employees, community remember you?
