Page 6 - newDATAmagazine | 10>02>2022
P. 6
EDITORIAL newDATA
MAGAZINE
Please answer NO!
Has it ever happened to you asking Thus far, I have brought the reader to
someone a question and getting no answer, understand that it is not easy to issue
knowing that the person read the message? opinions and give answers in an age when
Were you happy about it? Contacting everything is complex - there are no "simple
someone and not getting a reply is things" anymore!
uncomfortable and can even be frustrating, However, there are much more severe
depending on the situation. Unfortunately, it dangers if the reader's choice is not to
happens a lot, and even those who promote respond to issues that involve taking a
such behavior in a professional context... position because:
Because it is understood as two-way, Ÿ A non-response is always a response;
communication has someone who initiates it Ÿ Not responding allows the sender to
- the sender - and the receiver to whom it is interpret the respondent's position
intended. Regardless of the channel used, we without the respondent taking action;
can expect to receive an answer when we
address a communication to someone. That Ÿ Not responding shows a lack of
is, of course, if you don't use rhetoric - those consideration and courtesy for the
statements disguised as questions, to which sender or even a lack of ethics;
no answer is expected. Ÿ Not answering can close the
A question can have many answers, communication channel with the other
naturally flagged by its extremes, a "totally party;
positive answer" (the YES) or a "totally Ÿ Not responding leaves a matter open,
negative answer" (the NO). It is natural that, which may even lapse, but for all intents
by answering, we are taking a position, which and purposes, it has not been closed.
may be of no importance at all (just an Especially in leadership roles, it is
opinion) or may condition decisions, actions, increasingly difficult to give some answers.
or even the employment of other people. Still, it is the reader's option to let the other
Therefore, responding without weighing the decide "your opinion" or take over by
consequences of the inherent position taking responding.
should be avoided! Unfortunately, I have As for me, if we cross paths in any
witnessed cases like this almost daily, communication, and if you are not sure of the
especially on social networks.
answer you should give me, don't leave the
There is, therefore, a responsibility matter open and please answer me NO!
associated with any type of response we Whether it's yes, no, or any position in
deliver in a professional context, from which between, I always answer!
consequences may result from that must be
thought through a priori. Also, inseparable as
our corporate role is today from our personal Horácio Lopes
opinion, there is no longer "my opinion" as Consultor de Gestão ®
Horácio, and "my opinion" as Editor of Editor newDATAmagazine
®
®
Formador . BCP . BCI VP
newDATAmagazine. "Both" have to coincide! Perfil | Profile
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