Today I found an equivalent of free advice people seek from doctors over calls/ messages. And I could relate how doctors feel...the story I brief:

This old client (worked 3 yrs back..texted out of blue and said he wants some advice...will need about 30-40 min of my time. 1/n
I replied asking what it was regarding and his answer was that it was related to the same area of work we had done 3 yrs back...

Now it's been over 2 yrs since i moved on to another related field and not in touch with my prev work field and I told him that 2/n
Also I am not in mg prev org anymore.

He misunderstood or deliberately wanted to...cant say but his reply was...he wasnt asking for my advice as a paid client but just wanted to consult with me offline. They were setting something up in the same field and he valued my advice 3/n
On one hand...I was happy that I stood as an individual and not just as member of the organization I was part of.

But on second thoughts it irked me. He is rich...has capital funding from big investment banks...his salary is few crores every year and bonus and equity extra
He is messaging me on a Saturday on my personal number asking for 30-40 min (of course free advice) when he could hire dozens of advisors/ consultants for few thousands for the same
It wasn't about not wanting to advice...it was about his taking me for granted...
This is my bread & butter...will you give me your services for free (though I am an avg person who has no cash rich pockets) despite being Uber rich yourself?
Forget that would he even reply to my text on a Saturday?

He is a CEO/ Founder of one of the largest growing start up in the space.

I told him to connect with me on a working day and we can work out commercials. He stopped replying
Many would say I am not being helpful or that I should have used the opportunity for building the connect.

More than anything else...I felt disrespected. Just because he is richer & at a higher position doesn't mean he has an upper hand. Sorry doesn't work that way 4/n
I dont find it rude...when doctors ask for theie fees for even 5 min consultation..
For same reason I never give reference of my parents to get free consultation or tests...have always paid my bills in full. What doesn't work for me, doesn't work for others n/n
PS. Another thing which hit me now...what had irked me right at the beginning...somehow I couldn't put a finger on it immediately but now I replay and it's clear.

These days everyone who calls...even for work...their first question is...how are you & your family...all safe etc
It's basic. All our calls start with it.... here it was nothing of that sort...

He started with...hello <my name> do you remember me...I am <his name>. We worked together in 2018 on xyz... well hope you are doing well.....I wanted to seek your advice on something. Need 30-40 min
You see...I didn't matter...it was only his need that mattered in it all... he is a CEO/ Founder...runs a company of 800+ employees...do you think he will have basic courtesy about asking my well being in the pandemic... specially when he is seeking something??
Don't do it with your doctors...don't do it with anyone. I start all ym calls with my subordinates, vendors and juniors first with asking their & their family's wellbeing and if they need any support. It's basic courtesy.
It was that basic courtesy that was missing which ticked me off right at the start.

Now I know why even after the first message...I wasn't interested in continuing. I could sense. Even if we subconsciously feel it...humans are emotional. You tick that off, nothing else will work
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