How (and how much) do you consume news, social media posts, films, documentaries, podcasts, television or radio programs? Have you ever stopped to think about the volume of daily information you absorb? In this hyper-connected world, we run the risk of accessing hours and hours of content on smartphones without realizing it. According to the international agencyWe Are SocialBrazilians spent, on average, 9 hours and 32 minutes using the internet daily, in 2023, a number 45% higher than the world average of 6 hours and 37 minutes.
In addition to quantity, the type and quality of information consumed must be a point of attention. If we need to take care of our diet to have a healthy life, avoidingjunk foodand sweets in excessive quantities, it is also necessary to pay close attention to the impact of the content we view on a daily basis.
It is also necessary to focus on two literacy fronts:media e information literacy ability to use and be able to understand information received through different media and multichannels. Know how to judge and classify content as false or true. Carry out context analysis, critically analyzing the economic, political and ideological interests of those who produce them.
Furthermore, it is necessary to develop critical thinking, to have the ability to question, analyze and evaluate the countless information we have access to. In addition to the volume, the excess of misinformation is another current challenge. We have to look for reliable sources, whether official, independent or from traditional outlets.
Negative information is the one that circulates with greater speed and engagement, especially on the internet. The world is in constant and long-lasting crisis. We are living in the era ofpermancrisis. And this feeling of permanent crisisIt affects not only businesses and corporations, but also professionals who are increasingly vulnerable to burnout. Relevant challenge for senior leadership.
Just when we thought that Covid-19 would be overcome, other strains emerged. Still traumatized by the effects of the pandemic, we were impacted by the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Before this war ended, another one took over the news and images of the barbarity of the Israel x Hamas conflict arrived on video, in color and live, on the cell phones of millions of people around the world. Extreme weather events, misinformation about the impact ofArtificial Intelligence in the job market, among other negative facts, complement the cauldron of concerns that occupy our minds. A full plate to achieve mental health, with an increase in anxiety attacks, burnout and depression.
Recently, the program Arena of Ideas, led by the CEO of Oficina Consultoria, Liliane Pinheiro, addressed the positioning of great leaders in a context of international crisis. Throughout the debate, the founder of Agncia Lupa and a Brazilian pioneer offact checkingCristina Tartaglia, and the associated consultant at Oficina Consultoria, Miriam Moura, commented on the difficulties faced in the era of hyperconnection, with excess information and diffusion offake newsin a highly polarized environment.
Knowing what is going on in the world is essential, especially for those who occupy a leadership position and need to make quick and assertive decisions at all times. The World Economic Forum report listed the essential skills of a leader to analyze context and have critical and innovative thinking. This is possible for those who are very well informed, have access to reliable content and are curious. So, how can you protect yourself from the overload of unnecessary information andfake newswithout running the risk of FOMO syndrome Fear of missing out(or fear of being left out, in Portuguese)?
The suggestion is to go on a good information diet. Just as we turn to nutritionists to change our habits and follow a healthy diet, creating an effective information diet requires careful curation of content, which prioritizes the essentials and makes available, on multichannels, a trove of reliable and quality reading references for the business. of each leader.
The main point of the communication diet is literacy so that anyone knows how to evaluate content they receive and search for relevant information. This way, it is possible to create a shield so as not to fall into the tricks of polarization andfake news. The objective is to acquire credible content that serves as a basis for building a repertoire,upskillingetravel allowance
This strategy is crucial to face the challenges of the corporate world and build a solid competitive advantage. Neglecting the information diet can result in poor decisions, complex reputation crises and the loss of strategic opportunities. In a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, in Portuguese) world, where information is powerful, those who focus on acquiring a robust repertoire, through trusted sources, will be better prepared to lead their organizations towards sustainable success. .
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