With the frequency of communication via text message and email increasing, it is common to develop misunderstandings and end up with one or both parties upset. The result is a loss of affinity, less collaboration, and a feeling of disconnection.
There are four primary ways people respond to this type of upset:
- Cease communicating
- Communicate more to force a resolution
- Pretend that there is no upset and move forward anyway
- Call the person, discuss the misunderstanding and clear it up
While most people avoid upsets and do not want to confront what happened, there is no way to resolve an upset without communication. And yes, that means an apology may be in order!
Perhaps you have tried to resolve an upset by texting more or sending lengthy emails to explain yourself. I, indeed, have engaged in many exchanges of litigation by correspondence, which has never worked. What a total waste of time. The best tip for getting back into the zone is to pick up the phone or walk over and meet in person.
Leadership Advocate and Co-Founder of the Goldzone Group. I help leaders to master the new rules of leadership for the new economy. Over the past 30 years, I have visited more than 500 cities in 54 countries to explore, learn from, and help many of the world’s leading companies, leaders, and luminaries in science, technology, health, finance, and entrepreneurship.