The business world is a hardnosed environment. To succeed, you need a strong chin and thick skin. People take a zero-sum approach, which can be myopic and ill-serving for the creation of goodwill with others. With all of the non-human, digital communication we’re deluged by, people are more distracted and stressed than ever.
Between texts, emails, skypes and likes, attention spans are fragmented and patience is stretched. Often, people are listening less and reacting too emotionally to simple exchanges. Many of the exchanges that I see would not occur if we were dealing face-to-face with each other.
So how do we develop ways to de-escalate from heated exchanges from our imperfect modes of communicating? Adopting more active listening skills and learning the art of forgiveness are key virtues in building better, more meaningful communication. Often, I find that when people are lashing out, it has more to do with environmental factors rather than a singular issue I’ve raised with them.
Business owners and entrepreneurs generally have a lot on their minds. Their roles can be an exhausting, Sisyphean task. No one really knows what other people are going through, which is why giving others the benefit of the doubt and forgiving is so important. Forgiving the other side even, when they have acted in a bad way, is the higher road to take.
Even if unacknowledged by the other party, your willingness to let bygones be bygones is a way to show leadership. It is not easy to do and, eventually, your reservoir may run dry. But, as a very learned woman once lectured me, forgiveness at its core is a gift you give yourself. It allows you to move on and refresh your perspective, unencumbered by whatever negativity you have absorbed along the way.