“It’s So Much Easier To Jump On A Chat”
a poem and rebuttal and general exasperation
A conversation is not always the best way to discuss when you realize the diversity in human behaviour, strengths and weaknesses.
A conversation may be your strength, may be your best way to work out a problem, being able to voice concerns and resolve them in real time
but it is also my biggest weakness, realizing that I like to mull over decisions and being placed on the spot to respond immediately as conversation dictates against awkward silences of thought, I don’t get the time to see the bigger picture by literally seeing what we’re talking about on a page (does this fit with my bigger goals?) on a timeline (does this fit in my calendar?) I’m often coerced into situations I would not have said yes to if the same request was made in writing.
So, please reflect: is it actually easier to converse about a solution because there is real-time dialogue and offering of solutions by both parties, in a two-heads-better-than-one way,
or is it simply because in conversation you’ve learned to wield your power and speak over, push responsibilities on to another who thinks more deeply and deliberately if otherwise given the time?
Inviting Jen Kleinknecht | MIGHTY MISCELLANY | Brenda Covarrubias| Kay Bee | John Gobins | Kim McKinney | Pretheesh Presannan | Nerissa Talique | Isha Tewari Srivastava| Ana Maria Radulescu | Roz Warren | Baye Amina| Em Hoccane | Jimmy Misner Jr. | Whatsinanaim | if you’re up to it and anyone else interested to smash that writer’s block, join in on this tiny challenge and write a response, wherever it takes you!
Would you prefer to meet about a problem or write an email about a problem? What is your preferred communication style? How often do you accommodate others’ preferences vs. advocate for your own?
Submit it to The Brain is a Noodle or be sure to tag me in your response if you publish elsewhere, so I can read it and share it with the world!
Hi I’m Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) and I find that for me, I prefer emails because there’s a written trail to hold people accountable for what’s been assigned, what’s been done and what’s been discussed. I also dislike that meetings have been used manipulatively to force people into doing things outside of their contract, which really says a lot about the kinds of things I’ve encountered and that system that I’m working within, to need that accountability on paper to ensure that these things don’t happen. I can imagine that in another space, I wouldn’t have to ask for this kind of accountability and time to think, and can only hope and work towards finding a different space to work as soon as possible.
Hop down the rabbit hole? 🐰🕳
^ by JF