Welcome to the Impactful Engineering newsletter, where you’ll gain access to actionable tips, strategies, and the mindset for an exceptional career. Every newsletter you will learn a new skill, key mindset, or overall perspective that will empower you to reach your goals and increase your impact.

The Guaranteed Tactic to Limiting Your Career: Ghosting

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"Nothing infuriates leadership as much as being ghosted by direct reports." - Steve Maxey, Episode 32

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Ghosting: What is it, and why does it suck?

Have you ever had a conversation with someone over text or email, and you are waiting for a crucial response that never comes? It sucks, right? Why do people do this? Often it's because they don't have the desired response and would rather avoid the confrontation. Sometimes, they plainly lose interest.

Most of the time, you see this in your everyday personal life. Now consider where you've seen it in your professional life as an engineer. Did you not respond promptly when a project customer asked for details on your deliverables? Has your project been delayed because you were waiting on someone else to get back to you with critical information?

I can absolutely guarantee you have. So let's see how we can use our Impactful Engineer mindset to completely annihilate this frustrating dynamic!

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Take Action: Respond promptly and follow up! 👇

When you have the urge to not respond, smash it! If you don’t have an answer yet, respond with a target to find the answer and follow up. If you have an answer and it’s not what they want to hear, utilize radical candor and take ownership of your response. If you consistently and proactively communicate, you will build confidence in yourself and others will have it in you.

In the face of being ghosted, clearly communicate that you require a response to move forward, regardless of what their response contains. Show gratefulness in their response to solicit further responses in the future to prevent negative project impacts. Showing empathy goes a long way!

The Impactful Engineering Project's purpose is to bring awareness, access, success, and mentorship to all new and aspiring engineers. But it doesn't stop there. What we talk about on this podcast applies to seasoned engineers as well.

The community that will be built from this project has the potential to change the lives of everyone who is a part of it. We sincerely hope to reach and help as many people as possible. Your participation will bring the project to life.