We spend much of our time on social media building and strengthening relationships. From followers, to fellow colleagues, relationship building is a key part in maintaining a strong presence on social media.
However, not all relationships are meant to last. Followers will come and go, you may have a fall out with a colleague, or even end a relationship with someone you once considered a mentor.
In a perfect world, when a relationship begins to deteriorate, the parties involved would acknowledge the facts and carry on with their respective lives. No hard feelings. No harm done.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect world. Hurt, jealousy and anger can all lead to a nasty relationship break up. Human emotions can turn someone who is a clear thinker, into a malicious entity that people will quickly try to avoid.
So how do you handle a bad social media break up? Here are a few tips to help you move through the process:
Take A Break
When emotions are running hot, it’s easy to say, or do something that you might regret later. Take some time and step away from the situation.
Ask yourself the following:
- Is the disagreement a misunderstanding?
- A difference of opinions?
- Is it something that can be fixed?
Taking a step back to analyze the situation may help you gain some perspective.
Be Open To Communication
After a cooling off period, attempt to talk it out. Often times, communication, or lack thereof, is the problem when a relationship breaks down.
Don’t be too quick to abandon a relationship that you have worked hard to develop. By opening up the lines of communication, you may be able to salvage, all or part of, the relationship.
Keep It Private
Quite often when a relationship hits rock bottom, we’re tempted to reach out to our friends for support. While this is a good thing to do, we need to be mindful that we aren’t pulling other people into an already complicated situation.
Take care that you aren’t putting mutual friends into a situation where they may feel as though they are being forced to choose sides. No one wants to be placed in the middle of a disagreement.
Another reason to keep a dispute private is the power of social media. When we’re hurt and angry, we may be tempted to take the argument onto a social media platform.
Publicly calling out someone on social media can quickly turn ugly. Fellow colleagues may worry that if your relationship with them turns sour, they may receive the same terrible fall out. This could cause them to distance themselves from you to prevent the same thing from happening to them.
People who once looked up to you, may in turn, decide that they don’t approve of the way you handled the break up and may sever their relationship with you.
Be Professional
Disagreements between professionals should stay professional. Resorting to name calling or personal attacks could cause further damage to the situation, and it is guaranteed to hurt your public persona.
Maintaining a high level of professionalism will not only benefit your presence on social media, you will be able to walk away knowing that you handled the situation in a skilled manner.
Create Some Distance
Chances are good that you and your colleague run in similar circles. Give yourself some space to work through your emotions, without feeling any pressure of the other party being in your space.
The only true way to avoid someone on social media is to block them. This might seem like a drastic measure, but if it helps you to detach yourself from a messy relationship, then this might be a necessary avenue to take.
Respect Their Choice
Don’t force a relationship to continue. Know when to recognize that the relationship is over and move on. This isn’t giving up, but rather accepting that both people are moving in different directions.
There is nothing wrong with letting go of a relationship, especially if either party no longer feels as though the relationship is of benefit to them.
Embrace The Positive
It’s important to let go of your emotions and look at the bigger picture. Take stock of the relationship and focus on the positive elements which occurred.
Often times, this is easier said than done. Especially if either party is still angry and bitter. However, it is a necessary step in order to work through the break up process.
Even the worst relationships will offer opportunities for growth. Instead of focusing your emotions on who did what wrong, use the situation as a learning experience. Perhaps there was a point where you could have improved the situation. Is there something you could have done better? What did the relationship teach you?
Alexander Graham Bell once said:
“When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”
When a relationship breaks down, that shouldn’t be a reason to excuse poor behavior by either party.
By remaining accountable for your own words and actions, learning from the experience, and letting go of any bitter feelings, you will be able to leave the relationship knowing you handled yourself, and the other party, with professionalism, dignity and respect.
Have you experienced a business relationship break up? How did you handle it? Were there any repercussions that made you rethink the part you played in the break up?
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