Ben Stroup

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

I’m amazed at what people allow themselves to say and do online. What further complicates things is that my parent’s generation see digital communication as an “extra” and the generation just behind me sees it as commonplace. Topics and statements one generation would never say in public wouldn’t be given a second thought by another, even when posted online.

This is a list of things I’ve observed take place online that — in my opinion — should have never taken place:

1. Fire someone.
2. Get into a battle of words.
3. Share confidential information.
4. Negotiate a contract.
5. Reveal business development strategies.
6. Clarify expectations.
7. Complain about a client, boss, or coworker.
8. Condemn a competitor.
9. Trash a brand.
10. Spread lies.

It may be uncool but sometimes it’s better to pick up the phone or schedule an office visit. Some things never should be said in an email, tweet, or text. Agreed?

What would you add to the list?

Ben Stroup is a content activist in a post-paragraph world. He is chief broker of opportunity at Ben Stroup Enterprises. Connect with Ben via email, Twitter, and Google+. Subscribe via email to learn how to use content to move people to action.