Communication is a delicate balance of give and take. If you take it too far in either direction, then it overwhelms and becomes ineffective. In today’s age of instant communication via any number of tools, it’s possible to keep talking 24-7. I’m not much of a talker, so the sheer number of calls, emails, and mailings are becoming frustrating in their frequency. We’re surrounded by an over-abundance of information and services that others have to offer. Notice that I said “offer”, which means that I can choose to either accept or reject them. It’s not so pleasant to communicate when your participation becomes mandatory.
Professionals and companies in particular are taking it to extremes. Marketing is teaching them that we have to go out there and connect. Make them want you. But there’s one thing that we’re all forgetting, and it’s that you can’t force someone to like you. Either they will or they won’t, and that decision isn’t yours to make. Because of this relentless marketing mentality, I now know what to expect from a business professional. When I use a service or visit a site, I know that I’ll be expected to participate in a followup survey. Even if it was a small experience that was hardly life altering. If I had something worthwhile to say, you can be sure that I’d offer my comments. As a matter of fact, I usually do when I notice that the other person genuinely cares about my experience. I firmly believe in making this world better for others. It’s a pleasure to see others exhibiting this same belief. I feel that that kind of experience deserves immediate reciprocation because I appreciate that person’s generosity. In fact, most people won’t hold back if they are moved either positively or negatively by an experience. It’s simply our way, being the expressive humans that we are.
I really don’t appreciate the way we’re being taught to conduct our relationships. Nothing is personal anymore. Everything has become a contest to find out your standing in the world. How did I do? Please answer these 200 questions that will only take 20 minutes out of your day. Did you take the survey? We didn’t see the results. Why aren’t you responding? What can we do to keep your satisfaction so that you’ll return? Do they really even care about my experience, or are they just padding their popularity meter?
Simple solution: Do something just because. Don’t think about the reward. If you want to connect, then put out your request once and let it go. If they want to talk to you, they’ll find a way. It’s a pretty crowded world, and there are lots of conversations happening. But lately, all I seem to hear is the noise. Can we please stop the marketing, and make it personal again? The clamoring is becoming deafening.
Before I close here… Thanks for listening, and have a wonderful day!
