Can't We All Just Get Along?

For those of you wondering, the meaning of my blog actually refers to my experiences in the advertising world. Hence the term "Mad Man." This is a play from the TV show Mad Men; a show about an advertising agency.

Why are they called mad men? I don't know. Maybe somebody in the copyrighting department slipped up and instead of "Ad Men" they got an extra M in there. Then they thought, "Well, that sounds pretty cool, we'll just leave it." Then the other guy was probably like, "Well it doesn't make any sense! People are going to be so confused!" Then they fired that guy and hired someone who didn't complain as much, because jeez, all that other guy did was complain.

Anyways, because this blog is supposed to be my stories from the advertising industry, I figured I'd share something with you that I learned today.

It seems that every time there is a problem at work, between the boss and the employees or vice versa, I end up being the one everyone comes to to talk about it. I don't understand why this is, and I don't mind it too much. The only problem I have is the fact that talking about it doesn't change the problem.

People have become so unconfrontational these days. In this era of email, text messaging, Facebook, etc., people are becoming more and more disconnected from healthy human interaction. When someone has a problem with something someone has done or said, we should have the courage to express ourselves to them.

Harboring these feelings is not healthy. I think it would be a valuable skill for everyone to learn to communicate with others, and not avoid but learn to deal effectively with, confrontation.

Sure it makes you feel awkward and uncomfortable. I understand it is hard and no one likes to do it.

Well, you be the exception. Learn to do it and do it well. A good resource that I think should be required reading for every human being on planet earth (and maybe extra-terrestials, I'm just not sure at this point) is How to Win Friends and Influence People. The title for this book is a little misleading. It gives the impression that it will teach you how to manipulate.

Actually this book should be called How to Get People to Like You, and How Not to Be Annoying. The book is relatively cheap, so get it.