Who does not love a lively political verbal debate? Whether it’s about your favorite football team or a political official as long as it is done in a friendly manner, it is one of those things that can bring us together. Problem gets to be when it is put in writing. One of the best’s pieces of advice that my Dad ever gave me is not to send anything to anybody when you are upset. The best thing you can do is to type up what you are upset about, get all of your frustrations out and throw it away.
I am dating myself, but back when I was given this advice; it meant using a typewriter and putting the frustrations on paper. But the point made still holds true today, if not even more so.
While you may “feel” better, when you write up your scathing review of the world, it likely will not solve anything. A verbal debate, back and forth if done in a friendly manner, once it is done it is done. No one’s opinion may be changed but no one’s opinion is likely changed if put in writing. Things stated verbally, will generally not be taken out of context, and it is extremely unlikely that what was said, unless there are secret microphones, will end up on the internet for time and memorial.
Prior to Facebook, Google+, Twitter and LinkedIn most of us had private lives and professional lives kept separate. Things stated in our private lives, rarely made it to our professional lives. Too often there are items posted in the heat of the moment that if seen by our clients, customers, professional colleagues, or employers can cause someone to lose a client, be fired, or sanctioned. It can also give a cyber-criminal the information needed to steal your identity or access your firm’s data. This is in spite of the fact that the issue was posted on Facebook and you have your settings for posts set for just friends and family.
So if you are going to write up a scathing rebuke or make an elegant post, remember my Dad’s advice, if is written up in the heat of the moment, once it is written, tear it up (delete), and throw it away before you post. If you are writing something to post that you would not want your Mother or Children to see, delete. Instead of “Post Ready Think Aim”, “Think Ready Aim Post” or if done in the heat of the moment, “Think Ready Aim Delete”. Remember once you hit the send button, it can never be taken back.
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Lee Norcross, MBA, CPCU
Managing Director, CEO
(616) 940-1101 Ext. 7080 |