I was recently challenged about thinking that a person has an obligation to explain why they are leaving a social networking group. I thought I should capture that answer in my blog.
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> but why in the world would anyone have to explain
>why they were leaving any group, whether social networking
Well, I can think of a few reasons. Some are “why should I”, “why could I”, “why it would be nice if I did”, and one “why I must”.
Let me see if any of this makes sense.
ONE: I think that when one joins a group, even if it is free, and partakes of the benefits of that group, then you OWE an explanation for leaving. If you pay for the group, then you have less of that obligation. The more you pay the less you’re obligated imho.
TWO: I think that it is common courtesy, like saying “please” and “thank you”. It’s a rarity these days in the world of headhunting and jobsearching, which imho constitutes the big usage or big value of LinkedIn. Hence “they” — the hunters and seekers — are bringing that “ethics” of rudeness into the Yahoo Groups.
THREE: It is educational. I’m a big fan of the Johari Window. So, this fellow, leaving, has certain insights (DIKW) that we could benefit from. If he had said why, then perhaps I could have learned in my quest for the “value in linkedin”. By leaving no note behind as he committed virtual suicide, I’m left guessing. (I don’t do well with ambiguity. I r an injineer. I need explicit facts and formulas. I don’t watch the poker shows because I NEED to see the rabbit card (the remaining cards being dealt) to KNOW how the soap opera would have played out.)
FOUR: He may have had friends and acquaintances in the group that would need some closure.
FIVE: It’s always somewhat satisfying to read someone ranting about this or that, as they stomp out the door. Even more satisfying when they sheepishly creep back in admitting they were wrong.
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Comments?
Reinke Faces Life 