Why can’t people just understand plain statements?
I’m not a f*cking pastry chef man. It’s not my job to add sugar to things.
I mean, wouldn’t things be so much simpler and efficient if we stopped needing to be so pampered by everyone all the damn time.
Take, for example, a content writer at one of the companies I’m coaching.
I told her that she needed to write better headlines that were closer to our goal.
This particular company’s goal with its content is to provide relevant fitness information to people. They could use information in their day-to-day life and eventually consider buying our services if they wish to.
This is what the conversation went like-
Me: We need to improve our headlines.
Content Writer (CR): ?
Me: What didn't you understand
CR: What headlines
Me: Posts and blogs
CR: Blogs have the same headlines as you had shared. What about the posts?
Me: Attention grabbing headlines. *I sent couple links for reference* Use these for reference about carousel content (headline + body).
CR: The followers to like ratio is the same as ours. I don’t find these attention grabbing.
Me: I am not worried about the likes. My goal is to share content more friendly for our audience.
I shared a screenshot from one post that she designed. It had a poor headline which resulted in a low engagement rate.
She justified that the post caption has been edited, which is why the engagement has been low.
I shared a few more posts with better headlines. They were also designed by her and had edited captions. But, they had a high engagement.
CR: Omg Sidhant
Me: My point is — relevant content is working. That’s what I want more of. And we’ll discuss the headlines in the next meeting.
CR: Every post is written after a lot of research. A lot of it. And if you aren’t happy, let’s end it.
I have kept our chat verbatim (word for word) to remove any biases that I could have towards my point.
Now one might argue that posting a screenshot where her work isn’t satisfactory is passive-aggressive.
I would agree if I didn’t do the same thing to show her where her work was great. (or if we were dating)
In a start-up environment where we’re all trying to make the most of our time, efficiency and quick communication are key.
I simply fail to understand why people are so sensitive about small things and overreact to simple issues.
GROW UP PLEASE.
Simple logic dictates that both have the same goal — to provide the audience with better content.
But, most people let ego get the better of them and let temporary emotions dictate permanent actions.
Now, remember, she designed all the posts that I shared, but she selectively ignored the ones where I praised her work.
Separating your emotions from reality in the is super important.
The reality was that I wanted her to write better headlines. Her emotion made her assume that I was questioning all of her work.
I mean, look at the god damn difference in what we both prioritize.
We suffer more in our imagination than in reality.
Me: Interesting.
CR: Such screenshots and questioning and micromanagement is not the way of dealing with what you want.
Me: I’m going to let that pass Ariel (name changed) considering you are already in a bad mood and you have read things between the lines that are simply not true.
Me: Notice how all screenshots are from posts written by your team. I’m telling you which are the ones that are more relevant to our goals and which aren’t.
CR: I was not in a bad mood till I read your blames. These things need to be told in a better way in a brainstorming session. And not a whatsapp group. Constructive feedbacks don’t happen over messages.
Well, I think constructive criticism happens wherever you allow it. Also, I still haven’t been able to figure out which part of it is supposed to be ‘blame’.
Had she stopped for a minute and understood the actual problem at hand — headlines, our heads would have fewer lines on them right now.
Stress sucks.
I really hate wasting time, so I type out the thought as I have it in my mind.
The other alternative is that I spend 20 minutes thinking about how I frame my words to communicate with someone on my payroll about how I want things done.
This is a common problem in cultures where bosses are still addressed as ‘Sir’, or ‘Mam’ and hierarchy is still a major thing.
The west has moved forward in this regard, and business exchanges are just that — exchanges.
I pay you. I communicate what I want. You provide me with quality. If I don’t like it, I either fire you or provide you with feedback.
No one is out there to “get you”. Everyone is in the business of getting the best for themselves.
If you are a business owner who easily gets triggered, you need a co-founder who knows how to take emotions out of conversations and work with increased productivity.
Alternatively, hire a personal development coach who can help you be more self-aware. This won’t just help your professional life but also your personal life as well.
