Communication today -
are we headed towards serious disconnect?
Tim Connor
Ever had a text argument?
Ever received an email where the customer explained a serious problem to
you? Ever gotten a text from your boss
regarding your performance? Ever had your
cell phone break down and your spouse railed you for not responding to their
call? Ever found out on Face Book that
your best friend was engaged? I could go on for hours with these examples, but
here’s the point – technology is a wonderful and convenient tool, but it will
never replace the need for humans to connect face to face or voice to
voice. Call me old fashioned, out of
touch or whatever you want, but I believe today we are relying too heavily on
technology to maintain, develop or fix relationships that may be in trouble.
Think about it – how
much you tend today to rely on technology to keep in touch. Sure you can call for help at a moment’s
notice with your cell phone, confirm an appointment with your IPod or pass on a
new requirement with your I Pad and send a mass email to all of your customers and
or prospects about a new product or service – these are all valuable approaches,
but I believe most people are learning to avoid confronting their business and
relationship challenges or opportunities because it’s so much easier to use
technology as their primary method of – keeping in touch.
First of all the world, contrary to your belief, doesn’t
revolve around you and your immediate need for a response, returned call or
information. Second you can’t presume
that other’s are using technology to the same extent you are and third don’t
assume that others are as competent with technology as you would like them to
be.
We seem to be moving more and more quickly into a narcissistic
human environment where people believe that everything should happen for them now
and according to their needs, expectations or wants. I have news for you – I have a cell phone but
I refuse to see it as my 5th appendage. I am not going to be a slave to your
expectations and needs. “Tim, get with it, the world has changed -
technology rules – get with the program.”
Sorry, contrary to your belief my life doesn’t revolve around you or
anyone else’s agendas.
I have watched couples and families at a restaurant where
everyone was on their cell phone at the same time. I have watched business people during my
seminars texting. I have observed people
putting other’s lives at risk as they try and negotiate through heavy traffic
while having conversations on their phone.
I ask you a simple question – could some of this have waited
30 minutes? Do you need an answer to
everything now? What are you sacrificing
or losing in your relationships due to your obsession with technology? Did you know the average person spends over
60 hours a month on the Internet? Can
you turn these off for 24 hours and not wonder what you are missing?
How did successful business grow and prosper before wireless
technology or even computers? “Again Tim, you just don’t get it – this is
the new age.” Well let me give you
my quick take. I believe in using all of
these gadgets if they will improve the quality of my life but I also have to
tell you there are numerous ways where they complicate my life more than it was
ten years ago.
I am by no means suggesting that you give up all of your
toys I am only asking you to think for
just a moment – could your life be less stressful, more fun, easier even more
productive if you began to see all of this stuff as nothing more than just
another tool – not the only one – to deal with life’s issues, challenges and
opportunities?
No comments:
Post a Comment