Comments on: Never Hold Your Breath

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:42:44 +0000

I understand this dilemma all too well for it’s an issue I struggle with on a daily basis. I like your point that you don’t have to answer the person right away, but you do have to at least acknowledge their message with some sort of a response. That’s a much better solution then ignoring the person for weeks or more!

By: shane

shane — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:46:54 +0000

Mario, I hear you man. We just sat down this afternoon to go through all our projects and send email to each person who needed a touch (thats what we call it).

By: Mario

Mario — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:28:27 +0000

this happens to me every once in awhile, usually when i’m not paying attention. For me, I have to work hard to remember to keep those lines of communication open at all times. just can’t hide out. thanks for the tip!

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:54:52 +0000

Shane, i believe there has to be a distinction between tactfulness and responsiveness. What I’m really trying to address with this post is that one has to be responsive. Even in situations where tact will require a bit more time.

For example, someone approaches with a seemingly small project. Our initial reaction is to say, we only do projects bigger than X so we’re not interested. This makes the person feel like their problems are not important to us. If it turnes out that their budget is adequate afterall, well, then we’ve already made them feel insignificant and they will not want to work with us.

If responding takes too much thought, then we can say, “We’ll get back to you on monday about that as we have a lot going on, in the mean time could you please send us more about the budget and timeline.”

Come monday, we’ll have had time to formulate a better response to the effect of “Thank you so much for considering us to work with. As it turnes out, our resources are booked for the time being. Please keep us posted as to how this project proceeds. Oh, and we can ofer some referalls if you’d like. Thanks”

Being responsive is a sign of respect. But it’s not the only sign of respect. Being tactful is also a sign of respect.

All that said, sometimes a little less tact is ok. It keeps us from getting bombarded by small underfunded projects. I suppose there’s a balence.

p.s. thanks for the kind words. really it’s more of a buddy system between us.

By: marvin

marvin — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:56:50 +0000

What a breath of fresh air!

By: Vicki Winters

Vicki Winters — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:31:54 +0000

Another great post – I love the graphic. The bit about acknowledging rather than ignoring is good advice, but sometimes you actually have to say “No, that’s not what I/we do.” I guess that’s where having a referral network is helpful.

By: shane

shane — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:30:59 +0000

haha .. Peter is quite modest. He happens the be the best handler of emotional crises I’ve ever met, when he is not overwhelmed and is feeling calm. I guess that means when I am the one who screwed up, Peter’s my savior. Man’s got the aikido of management techniques mastered. Its good having a business partner you trust and love.

Here is the interesting question. Where is the line between too little and too much. After all, I just got in trouble for opening my big mouth and being too frank.

little bubbles huh?

By: Naomi Dunford

Naomi Dunford — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:23:36 +0000

To Peter’s Dad: You’re not the only one. I regularly avoid emailing my own father if it requires any level of thought whatsoever. Since it generally does require some thought, I haven’t actually emailed him in months.

To Peter: Dude, I know what you mean. That’s all I’m going to say.

To Shane: My husband, as resident fix-this guy, feels your pain.

By: Jeff Mackey

Jeff Mackey — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:13:32 +0000

Great post (and website, by the way). I know exactly what you mean–I too am often paralyzed by over-analysis. The slogan “Just Do It” comes to mind.