If you truly want to get people's attention, and to motivate them to respond to your message or question, never ask for a contribution, per se, or for participation, per se... Always ask for their criticism. This approach is generally much more effective. People are some much more apt to destroy than to build -- it's quicker, easier, and they don't feel accountable. If you ask for people to criticize you and to take you to task, they will respond with gusto!
Faithfully,
Douglas Castle
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2 comments:
I feel like I should disagree with you, given the topic of your post, but I think you're right on the money!
What would you recommend to help keep the tone of such a dialog upbeat? I can imagine the invitation to criticize could turn into a bit of a downer if you're not careful?
Dear Tracy:
Thank you for your comment.
People tend to destroy much more than they create. Destruction is much easier, and requires less thought and time. I find that the only balm to soothe the sorrow, is a bit of self-deprecating humor.
I also learned (from a therapist of mine from years ago, who told me that it was "okay to be crazy...'crazy' is just 'different'") that 1) inviting criticism helps define the people who respond -- a small number tend to be diplomatic, kind and constructive...even complimentary, and that 2)other people cannot define us unless we permit them to.
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