[Kate!]

I'm one of the 2 who have answered yes on the poll. I'm curious as to who the other one was?

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Kate!

I'm one of the 2 who have answered yes on the poll. I'm curious as to who the other one was?

It was me. I’ll be candid.

[Redway]

It’s important to remember that you can always switch things up if the volunteer you’re on the ’phone with doesn’t vibe with you enough (and/or vice-versa). Obviously, be on your Ps and Qs, because there’s always a relatively polite way of ending the call, but don’t feel like you have to stay talking just-because. You don’t, and sometimes it can take a few tries to finally be connected with the right person but it’s totally worth it.

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Redway

It’s important to remember that you can always switch things up if the volunteer you’re on the ’phone with doesn’t vibe with you enough (and/or vice-versa). Obviously, be on your Ps and Qs, because there’s always a relatively polite way of ending the call, but don’t feel like you have to stay talking just-because. You don’t, and sometimes it can take a few tries to finally be connected with the right person but it’s totally worth it.

I'll second this. The time I rang my first respondent was a bit detached, no warmth or anything, I found it off putting but I wound up the call respectfully and tried again. Vast improvement. I know they have to be impartial, that wasn't it though, she just seemed uninterested. The second one, a guy, was amazing.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Kate!

I'll second this. The time I rang my first respondent was a bit detached, no warmth or anything, I found it off putting but I wound up the call respectfully and tried again. Vast improvement. I know they have to be impartial, that wasn't it though, she just seemed uninterested. The second one, a guy, was amazing.

Absolutely. Sometimes the volunteers aren’t even bad in terms of expressing sympathy. You just might not vibe as much as you’d like to for any number of reasons. One big put-off for me is someone who doesn’t talk enough. I definitely understand, value and appreciate the power and depth of quiet listening but I still need enough of a two-way conversation. When it’s just the volunteer “hmm”-ing at the other end and not reflecting enough on their experiences, when it’s appropriate and the cap fits (I know they’re technically not supposed to tell you stuff about themselves but when it’s appropriate and relevant to the context, it does add another layer of resonance), chances are it’s not going to be a long conversation.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Redway

Absolutely. Sometimes the volunteers aren’t even bad in terms of expressing sympathy. You just might not vibe as much as you’d like to for any number of reasons. One big put-off for me is someone who doesn’t talk enough. I definitely understand, value and appreciate the power and depth of quiet listening but I still need enough of a two-way conversation. When it’s just the volunteer “hmm”-ing at the other end and not reflecting enough on their experiences, when it’s appropriate and the cap fits (I know they’re technically not supposed to tell you stuff about themselves but when it’s appropriate and relevant to the context, it does add another layer of resonance), chances are it’s not going to be a long conversation.

I think it’s fair to say that I value reciprocity and resonance. In a nutshell.