Recently on LinkedIn, a political post and the 13,000+ comments that responded to it showed up on my home page. As I started scrolling through them because as much as I know I shouldn’t go down this rabbit hole, I really couldn’t resist. The reality of how we talk to each other was mind-boggling. I started getting angry at people I didn’t even know because of their rude comments.
I realized we need to go back to the basics. What we were taught when we were younger is (still) important. We need to take a lesson from our earlier selves. The things we were taught and the things we preached to our children are still relevant, whether you are communicating in person, through email, or online. But it isn’t just communicating, it is how we interact in general. Here are a few that I think are important:
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- When someone calls your name, ANSWER THEM. When someone emails, calls, or texts you, ANSWER THEM.
- Clean up your own mess.
- Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
- Relationships require effort. Not a Christmas Card once-a-year effort, but consistent, mindful effort.
- Be on time. If you are going to be late, let them know.
- Be honest.
- Learn to manage your time.
- Work/Life balance is important. Cue Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. If you don’t know what I am talking about, google it. Grab a Kleenex first.
- Communication is key. Whether written or oral, work at being able to articulate your ideas and present them clearly and concisely.
- Manners and common courtesy go a long way. Say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’.
- Listen.
- Learn to play well with others. Teamwork is important.
- Sometimes being right isn’t as important as the issue at hand.
Some of these you learned in grade school, but some you didn’t realize the importance of until you were older.
They all are relevant in today’s world, whether it be professional or personal. It’s not that I think the world is rude, or that Generation Whatever is better or worse than any other Generation. Sometimes I think we become busy and lose sight of the basics. Your turn, what ‘lost basic’ do we need to remember?
Lynn Wise is the Founder and CEO of Contractor in Charge.
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