We Need to Talk! Stop Posting and Start Communicating
 We seem to have a lot of client requests these days for communications coaching and workshops that involve bullying, demeaning or sarcastic comments. Sometimes people describe these attacks as harassment, even though it doesn’t meet the legal or policy definition. Many times, the inappropriate comments come though social media, texting or emailing.
What I find is that many people hide behind their keyboard. They will say things in an email or post that they would never say face-to-face. At some point, they need to stop typing and start talking.
“…once there is a conflict, you need to stop emailing and start talking.”
Email, of course, can be an effective form of communication but we should reserve it for facts, not diatribes. My rule has always been that once there is a conflict, you need to stop emailing and start talking to the relevant person. Social media or texting is even worse and so easily misunderstood. Without voice tone and facial expressions, you may think someone is seriously attacking you when they had a very different intention.
What Should You Do?
- If you are a leader, serve as a good role model. Practice good communication techniques and do not use emailing or posting to avoid talking.
- Do not write sarcastic, demeaning or emotional comments over email or online. Vent in a private notebook if you need to collect your thoughts, but talk in person or by phone if emotion is involved.
- Take every opportunity to learn good communication skills. Attend workshops, read books and articles and strive to be effective. Good communication is a skill, just like programming or accounting. You can learn how to be good at dialogue and few things will improve your workplace success more.
- Do not email or post unless you would be happy with your boss, a judge or the Russians reading what you wrote. Online content lasts forever, may be forwarded to other people or, if it is on your company’s servers, your employer can view it at any time.
 Did You Know
Our workshops on tough conversations include rules on when to stop using online tools for conversations.
Call or write us at: 303-216-1020 or Lynne@workplacesthatwork.com
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Read Lynne’s book “We Need to Talk” – Tough Conversations With Your Employee and learn how to tackle any topic with sensitivity and smarts.
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March 12, 2018
