Kindness Is Expensive Because It Costs You Time
Put up with the cost and see how you gain the biggest strength in business and in life
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Just Being Friendly — How Hard Can It Be?
A few days ago, I received a very short response email. It was a quick, busy answer, rather cold, indifferent, uninterested. Even though I had sent a very friendly request. It was nothing major from my side, but nevertheless an exchange with a new contact with whom I will have to establish a connection and communication in the future.
What bothers me is that this is becoming “normal”. No one has time anymore, so we skip a direct phone call and just hammer out a quick email — any sense of courtesy and consideration are gone with the wind.
At the end of the day, it is about human relationships and dealing with each other accordingly.
We have developed into a culture where we are pushed and forced to communicate as quickly as possible.
Does kindness hurt?
More Communication Tools, Less Education Rules
How often do you receive an e-mail that annoys the hell out of you because it is inattentive, rude, or missing the point and not referring to what you were saying beforehand?
The reasons vary. Often it comes down to “no time!” — which is the most popular excuse for an inattentive way of communication. A short answer is enough since it consumes less time. (Actually, the opposite turns out to be true. But that’s another story.).
In addition, the invention of Email and numerous message channels contribute to the new habit of writing short, incomplete sentences.
It is time for us to remember that it is actually quite easy to treat people like human beings.
Why is this so often not happening?
Here are some reasons. Take your pick.
- We want to show the other person how important we are and that we know how things ought to be.
- We are in a bad mood and want to take it out on the person at the receiving end, just because it is so convenient.
- Maybe we want to convey…
