When Criticism Goes Public: Keeping It Professional
Property Matters – Tuesday 5th August at 1pm
We’ve all seen it. A post on LinkedIn that starts as a “professional opinion” and ends up as public criticism. Maybe it’s a swipe at a junior lawyer for asking a question. Or a snide comment about “another unnecessary enquiry.”
Whatever the reason, something’s shifted. Professional platforms aren’t immune to tone and tempers that wouldn’t have passed muster even five years ago.
This week’s Property Matters is a discussion on how we behave in public, professional forums. With legal and property circles relying so heavily on mutual respect and good communication, is Business Social Media still a healthy place for that? Or is it drifting toward what Today’s Conveyancer calls a “clapback culture” where reward lies in being the loudest and not the most constructive?
Louise Harvey struck a chord last week with her post on LinkedIn, calling out the unnecessary negativity. She reflected on the times when junior staff, less experienced lawyers or newly qualified solicitors are publicly criticised for things we all once did ourselves. As she rightly asks: were you never that unqualified person, doing your best? Instead of venting, maybe we need to be patient, human and above all, kind.
Her post was a reminder of the best in our industry: the colleagues who help without showboating, the firms who go out of their way with simple deeds, those people who explain their reasoning rather than belittle the question. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being a professional human.
I added a comment beneath Louise’s post that seemed to resonate with others: the Three Cs – collaboration, communication and consideration – along with a well-deserved K for kindness. It’s a simple framework, yet one that reminds us all that while social media gives us the option to be critical, it also gives us the opportunity to show a bit of decency.
The topic this Tuesday, hosted by Gareth Wax with Hamish McLay, is about what happens when criticism goes public and whether the tone online is becoming a risk to the positive working relationships many still value.
It’s not about sugar-coating or censorship. Surely it’s time to take stock, step back, and remember that one quick post can carry a long shadow.
PS
For content enquiries: hm@searchandconveysolutions.co.uk
For podcast/media info: gareth@mphats.com
We’ve all seen it. A post on LinkedIn that starts as a “professional opinion” and ends up as public criticism. Maybe it’s a swipe at a junior lawyer for asking a question. Or a snide comment about “another unnecessary enquiry.”
Whatever the reason, something’s shifted. Professional platforms aren’t immune to tone and tempers that wouldn’t have passed muster even five years ago.
This week’s Property Matters is a discussion on how we behave in public, professional forums. With legal and property circles relying so heavily on mutual respect and good communication, is Business Social Media still a healthy place for that? Or is it drifting toward what Today’s Conveyancer calls a “clapback culture” where reward lies in being the loudest and not the most constructive?
Louise Harvey struck a chord last week with her post on LinkedIn, calling out the unnecessary negativity. She reflected on the times when junior staff, less experienced lawyers or newly qualified solicitors are publicly criticised for things we all once did ourselves. As she rightly asks: were you never that unqualified person, doing your best? Instead of venting, maybe we need to be patient, human and above all, kind.
Her post was a reminder of the best in our industry: the colleagues who help without showboating, the firms who go out of their way with simple deeds, those people who explain their reasoning rather than belittle the question. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being a professional human.
I added a comment beneath Louise’s post that seemed to resonate with others: the Three Cs – collaboration, communication and consideration – along with a well-deserved K for kindness. It’s a simple framework, yet one that reminds us all that while social media gives us the option to be critical, it also gives us the opportunity to show a bit of decency.
The topic this Tuesday, hosted by Gareth Wax with Hamish McLay, is about what happens when criticism goes public and whether the tone online is becoming a risk to the positive working relationships many still value.
It’s not about sugar-coating or censorship. Surely it’s time to take stock, step back, and remember that one quick post can carry a long shadow.
PS
For content enquiries: hm@searchandconveysolutions.co.uk
For podcast/media info: gareth@mphats.com
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