Burning Bridges – Relationship Series pt. 4
January 15th, 2010 | Published in Networking, Relationship Series, Social Media, Uncategorized | 2 Comments
Have you burned any bridges lately?
← Please not that one, I happen to like it!
But really, have you? Why? Sometimes I think it can be the best thing you can do. Although, should you ask many of the A-list bloggers and Personal Branding gurus, they will say no keep them around you never know when you will need them.
While I agree with that, I don’t mean erase them from your book and be the world’s biggest jerk to them. Just don’t ruin it to where they will be undisposed to help you in the future. Because really they will be a help for you.
But what do you do when you just can’t stand someone, or they’re destructive to your client relationship, your business, or your own brand? You have to realize that there will always be someone you won’t get along with. Thanks human nature. The reality of the matter is that even though they are affecting you negatively you must turn that into a positive realization for you and what you stand for. Be it your B2B, B2C, relationship, whatever. There is always something constructive to be obtained from negativity.
Let’s take Dan Schawbel for example, the premier on Personal Branding. A few days ago he tweeted:
You have to be as committed to your social media profile as you are to your husband or wife.
And boy oh boy did that spark someone. Just read the response at Jerry Albright’s Blog.
I wouldn’t go as far as saying to burn a bridge but learn from it, why do people misunderstand advice? What can you do to clarify? Don’t go on the defensive and strike back, understand the misconception and react appropriately. Let us also not forget to take things with a grain of salt. No need to dwell.
Sometimes though, you must sever the connection. Just let things go and only attend to that contact when needed. Burn Bridges, it just might be productive.
What do you think? Have you burned bridges? Why? Did was it a wise move?
Image by Anirudh Koul
Related posts:
