It amazes me how so few people think learning to communicate effectively is important. Today’s society says we have free speech and should feel emboldened to say whatever we feel, but so few seek to speak in a way that minimizes errors for the recipient or takes seriously the consequences and responsibility. Case in point:
My sister works at a retail store. A few months ago a truck drove off the road and through their store window hurting a patron. The customer was wheel chair bound, but only received a cut on her leg due to the accident. She was lucky. However, the saleswoman on the floor that day who escourted her to the ambulance said her goodbyes in a way that prompted a complaint call from that customer two days after the event. What did the saleswoman say to her departing and injured customer?
“Thank you for shopping with us.”
She says she was trying to lighten the mood, but the truth is she wasn’t very sensitive to the feelings of her customer.
Communication Tip of the Month: NEVER try to use humor with someone you don’t know, particularly if it’s during a serious situation!
What would you have said? What could this saleswoman have said? What should she have said?
