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7 Comments to “Social Media Connection Without Listening …”

1. June 25th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
   Todd Smith said

   Maybe we should listen to them! The more we understand why they think it’s easier to broadcast instead of communicate, the better we’ll be able to help them see the value of the time investment.

2. June 25th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
   ME Liz Strauss said

   Todd,
   You are so right. The more we listen, the more we have a chance of understanding. yeah.

3. June 26th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
   Mark 'Rizzn' Hopkins said

   It’s funny, because the word ‘communication’ is used to describe a college major that’s all about broadcast.

   Communication, by definition, requires at least bi-directional interaction.

4. June 26th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
   Dave Pancost said

   Hi, Liz,

   There are several problems with on-line social networking in terms of listening/connecting.

   First there is the reality that we can only truly connect with a small handful of people. We just don’t have the ability to connect with thousands. I believe it’s Dunbar’s number that says the most we can effectively connect with is about 150. Don’t know if that’s true, but the principle is.

   Secondly, there is time constraints. We all have lives outside of on-line activities (at leas I hope so ). Some people I have connected with on Twitter, for instance, I can only talk with on the weekends because I’m working when they are on-line.

   The third issue is that there are those that simply are not interested in genuine connections. They are on-line and on Social Networking sites to sell their wares and that’s all they are interested in doing. To them it’s a numbers game. Broadcast enough and we’ll get some sales. Not a real productive mindset, but nonetheless it exists.

   Listening to others is an extremely valuable skill and creates deep connections. But as you said connecting takes two. Sometimes a connection just isn’t going to happen for the reasons described above. We simply have to accept that some folks will never get it and some don’t want to. We have to pass on them and reach out to those who are ready to “tango”.

   Dave

5. June 26th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
   ME Liz Strauss said

   You are brilliant to point that out!!

6. June 27th, 2009 at 12:03 am
   ME Liz Strauss said

   And some of us get it really well … we connect in ways that make us grow.
   Every time you visit I learn more and I’m grateful for that.
   Thank you, Dave.

7. June 27th, 2009 at 10:15 am
   Tim Bursch said

   Liz,
   I like your idea of gently encouraging more listening. However, we probably can’t get anyone to do something they don’t want to do.

   We can lead and stand up for two-way communication. We can show more people that listening pays. We can keep calling people to better communication and connections.