A recent column in The Wall Street Journal addressed the issue of the out-of-office and automated replies people are now foisting on each other. They explain uncomfortably personal details of relationships, record extensive messages explaining their indispensability or simply use the feature to screen all calls rather than dealing with others. Prakash Rau, a chief architect for an information-systems company is quoted as saying, “We have become a society with a veneer of civility.”
What are young professionals to conclude when they discover that those around them work with others and manage projects without engaging in the true discourse it takes to hash out the details of daily challenges? Does this encourage them to model that same behavior? After all, they have come of age in an environment that increasingly substitutes electronic messaging for live interaction. Accepting that the majority of human communication is non-verbal, one has to wonder how their ability to empathize, encourage, persuade and resolve differences will evolve with time. Further, what impact will this have on society and the children they raise?
The fact is that most young workers crave the opportunity to interact with those in charge. They seek the time and insights that come from sitting at the feet of veteran managers. Are they not disillusioned when those to whom they report cannot find adequate time to mentor them? Rationalize all you wish about pressing schedules, but supervising and delegating via e-mail and voicemail removes the opportunity for genuine talent development.
Robert W. Wendover is the director of The Center for Generational Studies. You may contact him by e-mailing editorial@mhwmag.com.
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