Give and Take Corrections with Grace

Do you give and take corrections with grace? On a daily basis I receive e-mails from concerned onliners about how a friend, coworker or family member gets mad at them or calls them rude if they make the suggestion that some E-mail Etiquette is in order.

I have a bunch of Web sites and I do tons of writing that requires I read, reread, and read again. I can go back to things I have written some time later and find errors that I missed. What happens is that some kind soul ends up at my Web site, generally they have experienced the “Invisible Error Syndrome” too, and they take the time to send me a private e-mail to let me know so that I can make the appropriate corrections.

What do I do when I receive these e-mails? First, let me say that 9 out of 10 of the e-mails I receive are sent with genuine concern in wanting to help. However, there are those who feel the need to correct me as though I am a 5 year old that needs scolding. Now, with a Blog and comment ability, there are a whole new breed who have to berate me publicly while conveniently touting their education, degrees and accomplishments to justify their narcissistic castigation.

Fine — either way I have been given the opportunity to learn something and correct my errors.

So, back to how I handle these “corrections.” For those who e-mail me privately, I sincerely thank them and offer my humble apologies for missing it in the first place. See I take corrections in stride — I am comfortable with the fact I am not perfect. I know I make mistakes and can get sidetracked. If someone takes the time to help me out, regardless of tone or possible ulterior motive, the result is the same. They have helped me to make my site or article better.

But for those who feel the need to rake me over the coals via comments on my Blog, in essence publicly flogging me, I delete their comments and make the correction. After all these years I’ve come to the conclusion that folks who correct others in that manner are not really interested in hearing from me anyway. They just want a “look at me” moment.

If it is pointed out to you in a kind manner that you need to work on your e-mail skills, or that you did something wrong online, don’t get offended and huffy.  Promptly thank the person who brought the issue to your attention. You have been given the opportunity to learn something new and to improve your skills. Then, go about correcting the situation and make efforts in the appropriate areas to resolve it for the long haul.

If you find someone else needs help with E-mail Etiquette, don’t belittle them by getting up on your soap box or make them feel stupid in how you suggest that they learn more on the subject. If you cannot make corrections or suggestions with kindness; then don’t bother.

I’ve never understood why some have to be intentionally rude or condescending when pointing out other’s mistakes. Nor do I understand why some folks react so negatively when being kindly corrected.

By helping other folks learn we are all doing a service to global community by making this environment one that is enjoyable for all to participate – because we are all on the same page — the human page.

Don’t get mad if you don’t know everything yet, don’t rest on your laurels and think that you do, and don’t kill the messenger if someone points something out to you that you were not aware of.  Remember, It is the Smarties Who Know What They Don’t Know…

Change, learn, grow and the online world will flourish with you!

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