Are You a Lemming or Leader?

I was in a coaching session with a client yesterday where I was instructing them on the nuances of Business E-mail Etiquette in their day to day communications. You know, all the things I talk about here and in my books.

They were very receptive and open to understanding the issues we were discussing. At one point stating “I never thought of it that way…” Their next comment hit the bulls-eye in describing why I see otherwise intelligent educated folks type like they did not make it out of the sixth grade…

“…I know it isn’t right, but it’s normal.”

There you have it! Are we actually becoming a culture of lemmings? That’s why everyone thinks it’s O.K. to not be courteous, not pay attention to detail, not type in full sentences with proper spelling and grammar, not to take the time to choose our words carefully to relay our true intent and tone.

Because it’s normal not to? Because the majority are not doing so?

Life, as with business, should be all about deciding what you feel is important to you. Not what everyone else is doing to determine what efforts you should make or not. Not about doing the very least you can get away with. If you know it’s not right — then do not believe that you are making it right by calling it normal! Think for yourself, use the information available to lead not blindly follow.

With technology one cannot be a lemming. Doing so is most certainly a recipe for disaster. Thinking all you need to do is make the minimal efforts so many others are only willing to make should not be an acceptable train of thought.

Forget about what everyone else is doing or not doing as your guide. Look smart; be smart! Make a commitment to learn how technology works, why it works the way it does and then use it properly with “knowledge, understanding and courtesy.”

So, are you a lemming or a leader?

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