The Towel

I was lamenting with a colleague about the seemingly one-way information flow we often encounter.  You will know the feeling as well.  We agonize over every word to ensure the intent is precise.  Misinterpretation has killed many a good person and we will not be on that list.  Heart on sleeve we press send…

Having raised our game changing comms piece from nothing but a pixel on a screen, we await the glowing responses.  Then we wait some more.  The next step in the process usually involves early stage denial.  Surely, such a beautiful piece of work would have elicited a response by now.  Our friends at the help desk assure us the message has been sent.

By now desperation has set in and we revert to asking those around us if they have received our email.  Yes, we have hit rock bottom.  Salt on the wound would be a welcomed alternative to the affirmation that the message was received but a reply would not be forthcoming.

After awhile we do question if the return justifies the effort.  At what point do we throw in the towel?  We have other stuff to do and if no one cares, why should we?  My colleague’s brilliant advice, “Hold on to that towel.”

Lack of response should not limit the enthusiasm of effort.  People do hear us, it just so happens that our words are so amazing they cant possibly reply in kind. No really.

SDG