How Difficult is it to Respond?

Why is responding ignored? Is it not a sign of respect, a sign of kindness just to respond with 1 word even? Is it time consuming? 

I know that we receive nowadays many invitations, many marketing materials, people reaching out to people to either connect or find synergies. An over flux of information that a busy professional cant always follow or has the desire even to spend energy on a response. Or spend time on it as we are overloaded and feeling exhausted. 

If you put yourself in the shoes of the person who asked and you don’t get a response, how would you feel? Offended, not taken seriously, not being recognized?
​
As business owners, we reach out to people, and I do the same. On the other hand, I receive lots of requests as well, offers and marketing requests via email, over Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.

For me it is important that I respond, even if it is with 2 words, even if it is a “No”. It does not matter. For me this person showed courage to reach out to either support me, collaborate, and offer their services. Hence it is a sign of respect from my side to respond. Whether I pursue that offer or not. 

It might be that we shy away from saying “no” to people but leaving them in limbo without a response is worse than saying No. At least the requestor knows then your opinion. In your case it might be the time constraint. Still, you can have few seconds to get back. 

You might say, once I respond they start to insist even more. Correct, might happen and I experienced that as well. However, you can be firm with your second message and if the requestor tries again, you have all the right not to respond. 

Let’s go a bit deeper in the responding art:
What is the meaning of response in communication?
Answer, response, reply, rejoinder, retort mean something spoken, written, or done in return. Answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need. Had answers to all their questions response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.
 
Try to respond to people. I am sure you would as well like to receive a response. Either from your Manager/leader, your partner and anyone else you want to reach out to. 
 
It makes you a better leader, a reliable friend and partner.
 
Resting in silence is not serving you as much as you would respond, even it is not such a positive answer. 

by Hulya Kurt, Business & Family Coach – Facilitator – Mentor
​Photo credits: Unsplash​