Re: The "Problem co-worker" thread

[Ned Bedinger <doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com>]

Downing, David wrote:
> I have to confess
> I don't like the idea of deliberately refusing to respond to her,
> because I've had people do that to me and it always leaves me feeling
> that I got cheated.  Our whole profession has to do with understanding
>   

I agree, but see:

http://classics.mit.edu/Aesop/fab.1.1.html

The fourth fable from the bottom of the page: The Shepherd's Boy and the 
Wolf

IIRC from psychology, the technical term for what happens is 'extinction 
of behavior' -- when the receptive co-workers respond, repeatedly over 
time, and their response is repeatedly ignored, their receptive behavior 
goes extinct. Elsewhere, I have heard this called 'compassion burn-out.' 
When it happens in the workplace, it is tempting to attribute it to 
living in the rat race where we're packed in tight together, but as told 
by Aesop, it happens even in pastoral settings. The consequences for 
Aesop's protagonist were dire, but bringing any consequences to bear on 
the one in the office is a bit more fiddly. The silent treatment may 
seem heavy handed, but it can be done , and sounds to me like it could 
be effective when other options are limited.

Make time for it.

Ned Bedinger
doc -at- edwordsmith -dot- com
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help & Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.