Have you ever sent a message and been met with the sound of… absolutely nothing? No “Got it,” no “Hey, let me get back to you,” not even a thumbs-up emoji. Just pure digital silence, like shouting into the void.

Maybe the person got busy. Maybe they forgot. Or maybe they’ve been kidnapped by Wi-Fi-hating aliens (which, let’s be honest, would be a more interesting excuse than “Oh, I meant to reply but got distracted”).  We know better than to make up stories about why they didn’t respond; regardless, the silence can bring the exchange to a standstill.

Here’s the thing—responding isn’t just about good manners. It’s about character, credibility, and trust. Whether in business or personal relationships, a simple acknowledgment is the difference between being seen as reliable… or as someone who ghosted their way out of people’s respect.

A client, colleague or associate reaches out with a question. The acknowledger, even if they’re swamped, fires off a quick “Got it, I’ll get back to you Tuesday.” Takes three seconds. The ghoster reads the message, internally nods, then mentally files it under “Things I’ll Definitely Respond To (But Never Will).”

Would you rather be known as someone people trust or as the human version of a disappearing act? Are you unknowingly training people to stop reaching out?

Aha! ~ Adopt acknowledgement as a superpower

People don’t expect you to drop everything and craft a Shakespearean reply. They just want to know they exist.

Acknowledgement sets you apart, builds loyalty and trust … and … makes you the kind of person people want to do business with, work with, and be around.

Need more inspiration?  A Twilio study shows that 95% of people are more likely to do business with someone that responds promptly to their inquiries. Additional research shows that companies with strong internal communication are 50% more likely to reduce employee turnover and that when open communication is encouraged they reap a 17% increase in productivity.

We just want to be heard.

So, the day after a networking event, be the first to fire off a, “Hey, nice to meet you …” message. Remember that every question deserves an answer.  And when your mom texts you, know that a quick emoji will suffice until you have time to catch up.

"In a world full of ghosters, be the one who shows up—even if it’s just with a thumbs-up. Your reputation (and your mom) will thank you."

Speaking of showing up, we’ll massage a few more questions around what it takes – and how it feels – to show up in Human U.  Join us!