In a day and age when technology offers abundant options for indirect communication at the expense of personal contact, we set ourselves up for increasing opportunities for misunderstanding.
We think one thing assuming the recipient can see into our very mind and know exactly what we’re thinking. To the contrary, the other person is busy interpreting their own meaning of our words and actions, or lack of words and actions in the case of an incomplete conversation, and often never the twain shall meet.
A little sensitivity can go a long way towards averting a whole lot of misunderstanding and often hurt feelings by considering how our response, or lack of, will land with the person with whom we’re communicating.
Before we fire off a reply or choose not to reply at all, let’s give each other the benefit of a mere 30 or 60 seconds to contemplate, “What would enable me to authentically communicate where I’m at that also would leave the other person feeling complete with our interaction?”
It stymies me how someone can read a text or an email and not bother to even acknowledge the message. It’s akin to ignoring someone who walks by and says, “Hi, how are you?” I’m not advocating for mindless text or email marathons, but how long does it really take to send a quick reply to acknowledge someone who cared enough to contact us in the first place?
Let’s not leave each other hanging, wondering what, if anything, it might mean that we never even received acknowledgement. It takes a nanosecond to type something as simple and neutral as, “Thanks for your message.”
If someone suggests an idea that we’re not too keen on, we owe them the courtesy of at least saying, “Hey, thanks for the idea, but that’s not really for me.” A lack of reply can leave the other person speculating a host of possibilities, none of which are likely to be true, from feeling like they’ve been blown off to wondering whether their suggestion is still being considered or was the message received in the first place.
Even more effective would be to put to use the oft taken for granted invention of the great Alexander Graham Bell. Pick up the phone and give the person a quick call. With even a brief phone call or voicemail, we’re telling the other person they mean enough for us to actually speak to them.
As big a fan as I am of technology, I still cherish hearing the voice or seeing the handwritten words of those near and dear to me.
Let’s get back to basics and actually talk to one another or offer the very personal touch of a handwritten note on occasion. Let’s not leave each other hanging.
