How Ghosting 👻 Can Hurt Your Reputation!

We all get requests to connect on LinkedIn with the sales pitch. Had the person on the other side of the message taken 2 minutes to read your profile, they’d know you already have your PMP. Or the recruiters who send you job descriptions that match nothing on your profile. I get it! If you’re in the service industry, you’ve probably had a potential client who needs an urgent quote but then falls off the face of the earth. 🌍 I’m encouraging you to spend the 2 seconds it takes you to respond with a simple “no thank you”.

LinkedIn is a powerful networking platform. It connects you with potential employers, clients, partners, mentors, and peers. You can showcase your skills, achievements, and personal brand. It is also a place where you can build trust, credibility, and relationships with others. But it’s not the only place in our network we’re ghosted.

Ghosting may lead to:

👻Losing the connection.

By ghosting someone, you are cutting off a potential source of information, advice, referrals, feedback, or collaboration. You never know when you might need their help.

👻You damage your reputation.

Ghosting is disrespectful. You’ve non-verbally shown me you don’t care about my time. This makes you look unprofessional and unreliable. The next time you reach out, I’ll be a little more cautious with how much time I invest.

👻You’re breaking a social contract.

Showing a lack of etiquette and courtesy.

👻You miss an opportunity to improve yourself and practice your communication and conflict resolution skills.

Not sure how to say no. These interactions give the perfect opportunity to practice.

So, how can you avoid ghosting someone? Here are some tips:

Be clear about your intentions and expectations.

When you connect with someone, set a clear purpose and goal for the interaction. Explain what you hope to achieve. Be honest and transparent about your interests and needs.

Communicate regularly and respectfully.

When you engage with someone, keep the conversation going and respond in a timely manner. Don’t leave them hanging or wondering what happened to you. If you need more time or information, give an update and ask. If you change your mind or lose interest, tell them politely and thank them for their time.

End the conversation gracefully.

Don’t just disappear or block someone without warning. Instead, send them a final message. Expresses your appreciation and if you decided to go another direction because of something that was said, feel free to share that and help them learn.

Ghosting is not only rude, and it can harm your reputation.

Taking just a quick moment to respond with a no thank you goes a long way to maintaining trust. You never know when you might need the person on the other side of your ghosting; why risk it!