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VIDEO: Taking The Time To Act Like You Give A ####...(From Curb Your Enthusiasm)

Capitalist Note - Do not click on the video below if you're sensitive. It illustrates the point of this post in a very strong way, but it's NSFW.  Make sure you use your headphones/earbuds. 

You're busy. I'm busy.  We fail to read the tea leaves of what's important to others when people ask us to do something that would take a just a little bit of time and we decline.

It's all around you in the workplace, and it's probably most important when someone asks you for a bit of time to connect on a non-work related item.  After all, when someone asks you to connect on a non-work related item, they're really asking to be your friend in some fashion.  If you're too busy to spend that time, it's probably not net neutral - you probably lost a lot of ground with the person you declined.

This rule is true in all workplace relationships, regardless of level, reporting relationships, etc.  Check out the video below of Larry David and Susie from Curb Your Enthusiasm.  Larry's honest that he doesn't need to spend time on a nicety that's an afterthought.  Susie is offended that he wouldn't take the time.

Most people in the workplace won't tell you they're offended in the same - um, aggressive - way Susie tells David.  But for a lot of them, it's what they're thinking.

"####ing freak of nature, doesn't want a house tour.." 

Throw this in a folder to illustrate a workplace opportunity to the people on your team who are low sensitivity and generally unaware of how people are feeling around them.

Repeat - Do not click on the video below if you're sensitive.  Headphones Mandatory.

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