As the holiday season recedes to our memories, I find myself wondering:
“Will I ever receive my missing Christmas cards?”
Yes, I know for a fact that at least two Christmas cards are still out there, somewhere. Maybe they’re in a sorting facility. Maybe they were delivered to someone else’s house. Maybe they are simply gone. Maybe they will arrive tomorrow.
Ask When You’re Not Sure
How do I know the cards are missing? Because someone had the courage to ask, “Why haven’t you replied to the message I put in your card?” Since then, I’ve done a little investigating, so I know there are two cards, but I’ll never be entirely sure if more than two are missing. Likewise, I wonder how many of the cards I mailed never reached their destinations!
Seemingly inconsequential, a missing card is yet another example of why it is important to speak up when you’re not sure—and that applies to countless situations, both personal and professional.
Don’t Overreact When Asked (or Asking)
Simply speaking up can prevent significant misunderstandings from starting (and growing). Even so, it’s still human nature to be a bit irritated before you decide to ask—and likely the person on the other side of that question may be irritated and defensive, too. But here’s the bottom line—everyone can be irritated, they just shouldn’t stay that way!
The first step in resolving a miscommunication is communicating about it. The conversation may be awkward at times, but facing it is better than avoiding it. You won’t uncover the answer unless you ask the question—and someone may be very glad you chose not to make assumptions and simply asked.