It amazes me how many people start name calling and become unprofessional when someone else of the opposite opinion states something that they do not want to hear – why? Voicing an opinion is a right and a privilege and so is the right to be heard.
This topic has been brewing inside of me for months now. I have been asked why would I blog about stakeholder engagement and communication? Why do I feel I need to have my voice heard? Don’t I feel like I am a target for multi-nationals to make an example of ie be sued for my opinion? My response: there are so many people online voicing their opinions and I feel that the integrity of their voices are being compromised by their agenda to be heard. People have forgotten to listen to each other. My blogging is based on facts and is done with integrity – I strongly believe in informed information sharing.
Over the last couple of months I been observing the dialogue of many extremists (pro-environment and pro-development) in regards to a major oil pipeline development and the unprofessional dialogue is disturbing. As a general rule we as a public and as decision makers need to hear all points of view to make informed decisions – I don’t know about you but I think this is what a democracy is all about. So why not hear what someone else has to say, even if you don’t agree. If you hear them maybe they will give you a chance to be heard as well. I am not saying this will happen every time and most likely you will be heard less than you want, but at least you are setting an example and holding strong to some principles. For in this “loud and crowded world” only the ones with integrity will be heard by the majority.
