{"id":12803,"date":"2024-11-25T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scotwork.com\/nz\/blog-nz\/tired-of-being-ghosted\/"},"modified":"2024-11-25T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T00:00:00","slug":"tired-of-being-ghosted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scotwork.com\/nz\/blog-nz\/2024\/tired-of-being-ghosted\/","title":{"rendered":"Tired of being ghosted?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

I recently received a note from a client I\u2019ve been consulting on a deal with. In it, she brought up an issue I\u2019ve heard from so many people, I thought I\u2019d share her note here.<\/p>\n

Dear Brian,<\/em><\/p>\n

I finally managed to get a meeting with my contact. However, it wasn\u2019t easy \u2014 my emails went unanswered, calls ignored, and I only managed to catch him on the phone for one minute before he agreed to meet tomorrow. Should I bring up the lack of response? I feel it\u2019s holding us back, but I\u2019m worried it could impact our negotiation negatively. What\u2019s the best way to handle it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sincerely,<\/em><\/p>\n

Frustrated but Hopeful<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Dear Frustrated but Hopeful,<\/p>\n

Congratulations on securing that meeting! It sounds like you\u2019ve done the legwork to get things moving, which is no small feat when dealing with a nonresponsive partner. Many of us know the frustration that comes with silence in the middle of a crucial negotiation. But here\u2019s the thing: Silence isn\u2019t always a sign of a dead end. Sometimes, it\u2019s just part of the journey.<\/p>\n

Before you let a lack of response sour the mood, here are 5 steps you can take to address it without derailing your momentum . . .<\/p>\n

Start by Assuming Neutral Intent<\/strong><\/p>\n

When we\u2019re left hanging, it\u2019s natural to assume there\u2019s a negative reason behind the silence. Maybe they\u2019re not interested, or maybe they don\u2019t see the value. But more often than not, silence is about something else entirely. Perhaps your contact is overwhelmed, has competing priorities, or is managing internal challenges you don\u2019t see. Rather than going into the meeting frustrated, try to assume the best. It\u2019s not about dismissing your feelings, but about preparing for a productive, open conversation.<\/p>\n

Keep the Focus on Future Actions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bringing up lack of responsiveness head-on can create tension, but you can address it indirectly by focusing on next steps. Near the end of the meeting, summarize the key points you discussed. Then, get specific on action items, deadlines, and who\u2019s responsible for what. This isn\u2019t just about good organization \u2014 it\u2019s an opportunity to reset expectations around communication.<\/p>\n

You might say something like, \u201cI\u2019d like to confirm our next steps to ensure we stay on the same page moving forward.\u201d From there, lay out the actions and timelines. By doing so, you\u2019re reinforcing the importance of clear communication without having to say a word about missed messages.<\/p>\n

Tactfully Address Communication Styles<\/strong><\/p>\n

If this contact has a track record of silence, it may be worth bringing up in a gentle, nonconfrontational way. For instance, you could ask, \u201cWhat\u2019s the best way to stay in touch moving forward? I sent a few emails without responses, so I\u2019d like to make sure I\u2019m reaching you in a way that works best.\u201d<\/p>\n

This phrasing accomplishes two things: First, it gives them room to explain without putting them on the spot. Secondly, it shows that you\u2019re willing to adapt your style to match theirs. You\u2019re acknowledging the communication gap, but you\u2019re doing so in a way that emphasizes mutual understanding rather than assigning blame.<\/p>\n

Set Up Contingencies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now that you\u2019ve clarified the preferred communication method, it\u2019s smart to establish a fallback plan. Consider adding, \u201cThank you for letting me know. Moving forward, I\u2019ll use that method. And if I don\u2019t hear back, should I call you or reach out to someone else?\u201d This suggestion not only builds in a backup plan, but it also helps them recognize their own role in keeping lines of communication open.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Let It Sidetrack the Big Picture<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, bringing up communication gaps can put someone on the defensive. If your contact gets uneasy or avoids giving a straightforward answer, that\u2019s a signal it may be time to move on. After all, your goal here is to make progress on the negotiation, not get bogged down by their email habits.<\/p>\n

If the conversation veers into tense territory, remind yourself of your broader objective. Don\u2019t let minor frustrations take the wheel. Your energy is better spent focusing on what you need to achieve than trying to get perfect responses at every step.<\/p>\n

Nonresponsiveness can test anyone\u2019s patience, but it doesn\u2019t have to derail a negotiation. With a mix of flexibility, forward-thinking, and a little tact, you can address it in a way that keeps things moving \u2014 and maybe even builds rapport. And who knows? This might be just the conversation they need to realize you\u2019re someone who understands the demands they\u2019re under, which could make all the difference.<\/p>\n

Hang in there, and good luck with your meeting!<\/p>\n

Cheers,<\/p>\n

Brian \u2014 aka Mr. Hopeful<\/p>\n

We Can Help You Address the Other Party\u2019s Lack of Responsiveness.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It can be frustrating when the other party goes silent in the middle of a crucial negotiation. Rely on Scotwork\u2019s nearly 50 years of experience to help you address it without derailing your momentum.Call one of our experts today.E: info@scotwork.co.nz<\/a>P: 04 2979069<\/p>\n<\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I recently received a note from a client I\u2019ve been consulting on a deal with. In it, she brought up an issue I\u2019ve heard from so many people, I thought I\u2019d share her note here. Dear Brian, I finally managed to get a meeting with my contact. However, it wasn\u2019t easy \u2014 my emails went…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":12804,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_legacy_url":"blog-nz\/2024\/tired-of-being-ghosted\/","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTired of being ghosted?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"World leaders in business negotiation training and consultancy with experts across 120 countries, with negotiation courses taught in 29 languages.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scotwork.com\/nz\/blog-nz\/2024\/tired-of-being-ghosted\/\" \/>\n<meta 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