Comments on: Getting & Giving “The Online Bird”!

By: Jason Cobine

Jason Cobine — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:35:56 +0000

As usual Paul, strong advice that I will share with my network. Email’s and comments can reveal emotional intelligence yet your post is a fine example of how to strike a balance when making a strong point. There was no personal attack yet wings are subtly clipped.

I shall remember to breathe and encourage others to do the same. Remember the three N’s. Nuture, nurture, nurture. Thanks.

By: Trish Ackermann

Trish Ackermann — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:58:21 +0000

Paul,
Hats off to you for tackling, with such humor and perspective, this very important subject! Dealing with people, the public, in virtual reality has removed the “person” from the page and caused many to ‘forget their manners’!
Thank you for such pithy advice, too!
I love the “thank you for your perspective” line, Priceless.
Trish

By: Paul Castain

Paul Castain — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:42:19 +0000

@ Darwin: Very true! The fact the communication is in written form can certainly feed the problem. The “thinned skinned” part of your comment is noted and we’ve all been guilty of that one at one point or another.

@ Marcus: I would be shocked if I ever found you smack dab in the middle of a bird fest my friend. You are a gentleman and one heck of a blogger!

@ Andy: I was thinking about the first part of your comment with regard to the internet giving us a false sense of security. Things we say online we would never say to someone up close and personal, probably because someone might knock us through a wall. We all take on the persona of a “7 foot giant” online and that might be part of the problem. And thanks for the cool SNL reference. Classic!

@ Pam: Thank you for that! Very nice of you indeed!

@ Hank: Please know that I am borrowing that “Mistletoe on my coattail” line. Brilliant!

@ Craig: Great point. Maturity certainly is a choice. Well stated!

@ Toni: Don’t forget that many of the things I write about are things I learned the hard way. We’re all works in progress!

@ Herb: Tact . . . what a wonderful word! Thanks buddy!

@ Ian: You make several important (and awesome) points. I’ll stick with one: Responding to our interpretation of a bad email while we’re in the middle of a kazillion things. The speed in which we communicate these days can certainly influence the quality (good or bad) of the communication.

Thank you all for taking the time out your busy day to contribute!

Respectfully,
Paul Castain

By: Ian Braid

Ian Braid — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:31:49 +0000

Great article Paul! Of course, these recommendations also apply to the daily email exchange between colleagues and clients. As we all know, it is virtually impossible to interpret sarcasm and sometimes humour in an email (especially from someone we don’t know that well). It is also all too easy to ‘react’ to such a note (likely on your blackberry while you’re in the middle of a million other tasks) with a snappy response. These are the notes that people keep, print and share (bad news is more fun to share than good news, right??), and which almost always bite you in the butt down the line.

By: Dan "you can call me Herb" Hebert

Dan "you can call me Herb" Hebert — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:05:21 +0000

I recall a poster in the QC department of a former employer near the desk of an employee who was apt to fly of the handle: Tact: The art of making a point with out making an enemy. Great post as always.

By: Toni Hogan

Toni Hogan — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:54:52 +0000

“put the bird down” and step away from the computer. Love it! I look forward to reading your work and appreciate you sharing your wisdom with us. While many things should be common sense it is obvious they are not, or you would not have anything to write about. Keep the lessons coming.

By: Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:50:36 +0000

Hi Paul – we can always count on you to tell it like it is, and you’re 100% correct, too many “birds” flying around the internets these days, people just do not realize how this can affect them in the long run. A friend of mine is very fond of saying “most adults are just kids with long legs”. Maturity is not a function of age, rather it’s a choice. Thanks as always for a great post!

By: Henry F. Trisler

Henry F. Trisler — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:38:33 +0000

Great post, Pablo. As a younger man, I seldom missed an opportunity to tell those who had a differing viewpoint about the mistletoe on my coattail. The vantage point of years tells me of the wisdom you purvey. I love reading your work.

By: Pam Wasserman

Pam Wasserman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:31:20 +0000

A great lesson for character and integrity development.
As always, Paul is powerful with his observations and advice.

By: Andy Harrison

Andy Harrison — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:11:49 +0000

“Ah, flashbacks of Middle School!” Well said, sir.

The internet gives everyone a false sense of security. Sure, you can flame, flip off, and flag scads of people…but does that support the brand that is you?

I like how you mention having a prospect Google you, only to find out that you’re calling someone an idiot because he disagreed with you. It reminds me of that Point/Counterpoint skit with Dan Aykroyd and Jane Curtin that used to play on the old Saturday Night Live. Remember that? Jane would say something, and Dan would retort with, “Jane, you ignorant slut.” It was funny because you would NEVER hear that on the news. We professionals shouldn’t hear it on the internet either.