Ever wish you could read someone else’s mind? I imagine it would be really cool to be able to do that…at least at first. Sure, it would be fun to know what a friend is thinking when it comes to what they might want for a birthday gift or where to go for dinner—you would end up looking like the most thoughtful person on the planet! But imagine if you were unable to shut the “mind reading” off and every time another person was in the room with you, you knew exactly what was in his or her head. I can only guess that it would be overwhelming in no time at all. You’d probably learn things that you never wanted to know.
Luckily, this isn’t an issue for the average human. But that’s exactly why it’s important to communicate your thoughts and feelings honestly with your friends and coworkers. They can’t read your mind.
A friend told me last week that she felt she had been waiting too long for a raise at a job she has been working at for more than two years. She was getting really frustrated, and felt under appreciated. She eventually wrote her boss a letter expressing exactly why she thought she should get a raise. He responded in the kindest of ways with a phone call, explaining details about the financial state of the business and why she had to wait just a bit longer, and that it had nothing to do with her performance. This communication was crucial for both parties because mind reading isn’t a common thing.
It’s easy to imagine what someone might be thinking, but it seems best to clarify by asking.
Lisa Petty, Editor
Equal Opportunity Employment Journal