Are You a Lemming or Leader?

I was in a coaching session with a client yesterday where I was instructing them on the nuances of E-mail Etiquette in their day to day communications. You know, all the things I talk about here and in my books.

They were very receptive and open to understanding the issues we were discussing. At one point stating “I never thought of it that way…”

Their next comment hit the bulls-eye in describing why I see otherwise intelligent educated folks type like they didn’t make it out of the sixth grade…

“…I know it isn’t right, but it’s normal.”

There you have it. Are we a culture of lemmings? That’s why everyone thinks it’s O.K. to not be courteous, not pay attention to detail, not to type properly by taking the time to choose our words carefully to relay our true intent and tone. Because it’s normal not to — because the majority are not doing so.

Life should be all about deciding what you feel is important to you. Not what everyone else is doing to determine what efforts you should make or not. If you know its not right — then don’t make it right by calling it normal!

I also tell my WordPress Consulting clients all the time — just because a site is doing a certain thing doesn’t mean it is the right thing to do. Think for yourself, use the information available to lead not blindly follow.

With technology one cannot be a lemming. That’s a recipe for disaster. Thinking all you need to do is make the minimal efforts so many others are only willing to make shouldn’t an acceptable train of thought. Nor will it have you stand out as exceptional.

Forget about what everyone else is doing or not doing as your guide. Make a commitment to learn how technology works, why it works the way it does and then use it properly with “knowledge, understanding and courtesy.”

So, are you a lemming or a leader?

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