Building Relationships in the Digital Age

Strategy #1 | Gather facts from all sides.

Reality

Gather the facts from all sides. 

Ask more questions.

Use a variety of sources.

Go with your gut instinct. 

When we make a judgement about a person, often it is a perspective that is from past experiences or information gathered in pieces. Our perception can shape our reality and leave us with a partial view of a person’s character or actions. We must collect past and current facts from all sides that can support a holistic viewpoint. Lucius Seneca once said, “We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” Have your thoughts ever kept you from trying to rebuild a relationship with someone? Technology can help us to quickly gather facts and use many resources to support our findings. Use these steps to gather facts from all sides.

(click on a step for more information)

Asking why is an important step in the questioning process. Engaging in more questions can get down to the root cause, not just what is on the surface.

The more sources used in gathering information can help organize facts from truth, opinions, assumptions or false claims.

When all the facts become available, going with your gut instinct can be helpful when you are unsure. Learn to trust the process, ask for guidance if needed.