Do you promote substance or form? The question may seem odd, but on reflection, there is some ambivalence in our civil, political and corporate societies.
In our hyper-connected world, form seems to be losing ground in favour of immediacy and substance - as long as we can still talk about “content” in certain areas or media.
We promote speed, transmission of information without always taking care of its form or verifying its content. This approach is also found in interpersonal relations. Certain attitudes in shops or public transports where there is a growing interest in “everything for me and as quick as possible” even if it offends others, are best examples.
Forms are often no longer relevant in e-mails, with some companies even recommending that employees “save themselves” these useless elements to get to the basics… Is this form of annihilation of the mind favourable in the long run? Let us have serious doubts about this…
It is interesting to note that people who have at least a sharp and definitive approach to relationships, by saving themselves from the minimum forms of politeness, are the first to rebel when an interlocutor lacks respect or reduces dialogue to its bare minimum. The adage “doesn’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you” takes on its full meaning here.
It is obvious that we cannot contrast form and substance, two concepts that are perfectly complementary. Nevertheless, an increasing number of individuals or companies believe that they can move away from form under the pretext of increased efficiency.
Our small experience shows, however, that when we care for the form, the substance can be treated much more efficiently and thoroughly without creating unnecessary tension or vexation while creating trust and respect.
The form requires learning, understanding and regular information while developing minimal language and writing skills. Far be it from us to consider ourselves an expert in the field but being attentive to it and trying to do the best is undoubtedly a first positive contribution to interpersonal relations.
Good Reading and Happy New Year 2020 !