Did you hear me?

Paying attention when you're talking to someone is just common courtesy...isn't it? But have you noticed that what now seems to be the "new normal" is to be talking with someone while they're checking their mobile device? Makes me stop and ponder.

If their text message or e-mail is more important than I am when I'm standing right there in front of them, what's the purpose? Have we grown to care about our "virtual connections" more than our personal face-to-face connections?

And when we begin to add this multi-tasking lifestyle mentality in our work places, what are we accomplishing then? I've been in meetings before where people are presenting and folks in the audience (including leaders) are checking e-mails, texting, etc. Even our elected officials are guilty of this, yet we hold them unaccountable!

My question: Is it just me that this is a pet-peeve of, or does it upset you too?


[Note: photo from http://www.budbuckley.com/]

“Your Success Is My Business.”™

pondering - "to think about : reflect on"

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Why Can't I Just Be Frank?

"I'm going to be honest with you..."

Hmmmm...okay, I'm pondering something here: shouldn't I always be honest with you? Wouldn't you want everything I share to be the truth?

I'm in a meeting recently and the speaker literally starts every thought and answers every question asked to him with "I'm going to be honest with you..." I'm thinking, "Do I ever trust anything this guy says if he doesn't start a sentence with that comment?"

Maybe I'm being too nit-picky, but when you have to ask me if I want you to be honest, let's just go from this point forward that the answer is always going to be "YES!"

Here's another pet-peeve of mine: When someone asks me if they can be brutally honest...come on!!! First, why does it have to be brutal? And secondly, aren't you always honest??

If I need to say something, and I have your best interest at heart, and I want to help in a way that's "coaching" and not "criticism" wouldn't you want me to just be frank (but mindful of my delivery)? My dad taught me, "Never tell someone you're 'going to be honest' with them, always be honest regardless. If you have to begin a statement with something like this, always say 'let me be frank'." Great advice!

My question: So, honestly now, can't I be frank?


[Note: photo from http://4.bp.blogspot.com/]

“Your Success Is My Business.”™

pondering - "to think about : reflect on"

Please share with others: