Disclaimer: I am not a mean person. I'm not abrasive, and I can't stand rudeness. I'm rarely over-the-top blunt in expressing my opinions, I consider my audience when speaking. I am methodical when facing confrontation, and I never aim to hurt anyone's feelings. That being said...
This afternoon, while attempting to find a discussion thread in my online course worthy of responding to, I started contemplating what it would be like if we took off our kid gloves, just for a day. And I don't even mean when dealing with kids. I mean dealing with grown ass adults. For example, everyone's responses in this professional forum known as a Discussion Board begin with "So-and-so, you make a very good point." followed by "<reiteration of so-and-so's point that is still viewable on my screen from the post above the current post>". Then they will continue in some form of "There's just one teensie, tiny, little thing, that I kinda maybe don't agree with and I'm so sorry if this offends you, I'm just trying to get my required posts in for the week, and I'm supposed to disagree with someone so I chose you...". Jesus Christ people, get it out already! I don't have time to read your explanation of someone's explanation of someone's explanation of one of the 5 readings that make all the same point. We HAVE to disagree (which don't even get me started on how inane that type of requirement is). Just. F'ng. Do it. We are professionals. Do you think some dudes at Apple or Capital One are sitting in a conference room saying, "Hey man, you're a cool dude and all, and I like that tie you have on today, and by the way, did you get a new cologne? I just have to let you know, there's something you said in the meeting a few minutes ago, that I, hmm, how do I put this, don't necessarily see eye to eye with you on at the current juncture". NO! They are saying things like "I have a better idea", or "Dude, that makes no F@*(&$ sense." Okay, maybe not that far, though I'd love to work in an environment when you can call a spade a spade.
I don't know about the rest of your professions, but mine is filled with "gentle reminders". Now, don't get me wrong, I need a hell of a lot of reminders when it comes to the bajillionzillion things I have to do on a weekly basis, that is not my point. My point is, do they have to be gentle? Really? If something you told me about weeks ago is due tomorrow, and I haven't gotten it to you? I'll take a rough reminder, please, because I obviously forgot about that shit. I love the gentle-reminder-emoticon-exclamation-point reminder. "Hey, colleague! Gentle reminder, you need to yadayadablahblah! :) Okay, thanks! :) :) :)" Again, we are professionals. Cut that crap out. If I effed up, I will certainly own up to that, I don't need it sugar-coated. Lucky for me, I don't eff up very often. (See original Blog post). Equally as lucky, many of my coworkers don't have squishy kid gloves on 24-7. The worst part of the gentle reminder, is that I feel obligated to make all of my reminders gentle! If I have reminded you, gently, four times of a task you were required to do, I cannot be held liable for any roughness that follows. Do your job.
Keep reading my blog, or I'll send you a gentle reminder to do so.
xoxo
