We’ve all heard of ghosting, but what about in the workplace? People are bombarded these days by all sorts of communications and have trouble keeping up. One statistic claims that 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress, with 25% saying that their job is the number one stressor in their lives.
Most of the time, is not about you and wasting energy thinking it is you takes away from your productivity. I discussed this in a previous newsletter about how mindset can make or break you.
Lack of communication these days is more about the other persons overwhelm. Especially if you have had a positive conversation in the past and was asked to follow up.
I have made the conscious choice to never think it is about me. I have followed a system that I follow for follow up that has worked well for me to garner a response.
Lack of communication these days is more about the other persons overwhelm. Especially if you have had a positive conversation in the past and was asked to follow up.
Here are my six follow up guidelines:
- Never make it about you: Do not assume it is you or think you know why they have not responded. You have no idea, you are not a mind reader, and it is a waste of time.
- Stay organized: I use a CRM system that logs all my communications. When I send a communication, I set a task for the next follow up with any important notes to myself.
- Be consistent: Follow up on a regular basis as appropriate per your previous interactions. If the other person asks you to follow up in early November, do that! Not in October and not in December. My adage is: If they told me to follow up, I will continue to do so until told otherwise.
- Be careful with your tone: See #1 above! This is not about you so harsh tones in business are never appropriate.
- Clearly ask for what you want using an open-ended question: If you have been asked to follow up and have not received an answer, make sure you ask for what you want. Assume the positive, not the negative! Example: Hey there, just wanted to follow up from our previous conversation(s) and your ask to reconnect in early November. What days and times work for you?
- When you feel the time is right, give them a way out: Not everyone is comfortable saying no, and/or might feel guilty that they made a commitment that they cannot keep. When you feel the time is right, based on multiple follow-ups, see #4 above and give them an out. Remember to keep emotionally charged words out of the “out”. Example: Hey there, just wanted to follow up from our previous conversation(s). If something has changed or we can no longer proceed, could you let me know? I do not want to keep filling up your in-box if we need to table our discussion(s).
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About me: I am the founder of Metamorphosis Coaching which specializes in team cohesion and communication.
I am a professional speaker with certifications in Executive Coaching, Team Coaching/Facilitation, Emotional Intelligence, and Happiness Studies. I’ve spent 20 years working with leaders to build happier and more fulfilled teams.
