This struck me because many times our comments can be taken out of context. Recently on VA Networking we were talking about what constitutes being direct vs. being rude. The post is extremely long, but it provides great insight into how the human mind works. What exactly is direct? What exactly is rude?

*Direct = To give authoritative instructions to
*Rude = Abruptly and unpleasantly forceful
(*-The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

As you can see the words direct and rude go hand in hand. If I am providing a “direct” answer or opinion one can say that I am being “rude” and vice versa. In the end how one takes your particular comment or opinion is in the eye of the beholder.

Before you jump to conclusions sit back and ask yourself why this person is responding in this manner. Have they been there, done that and received the t-shirt? Are they trying to help? Is this person constantly negative? Many times when we take offense to a post on a forum or listserv it’s because we are making the same mistake. I say this because I was once there. Granted I was new and just getting started, but the more I read the valuable information placed before me, the more I grew. Did I grow because of the swift kick in the tushie? Did I grow because I was learning more than I ever dreamt possible? The answer to both of those questions is a resounding yes.

Become a Master Craftsman

Take some time today to evaluate where you are and where you are going. What do you need to get there? Do you need to change your ingrained mindsets in order to achieve the desired results? The world is there for the taking…you just need to reach out and grab it.

Becki