As much as Facebook and Twitter have become part of our lives, amongst other social media, all good things have their downside. You may have received the emails that do the rounds giving examples of staff caught out claiming sick leave from the company, only for their management to find out what they’ve been up to on Facebook.

I’m more concerned about this medium being used for innuendo, disparaging remarks about others and cheap digs. There seems to be a lot of this around.

Someone said that the internet brings those far away close, and drives those that are close further away. I am finding that, as with email, these beneficial communication tools are also used rather as an alternative to actually talking to one another face to face. Particularly on tough issues, matters that may lead to confrontation or conflict.

These situations demand the good ol’ “talk it through together” approach. This requires learning skills on how to deal with the tough stuff effectively - things that frankly we can’t ever learn enough about.

So when next you have a problem with your boss, a colleague, friend or are angry enough to vent to the entire digital universe…..don’t! Make the effort to work out how best you can reach your desired outcome, sincerely and to the benefit of all concerned.

By all means tweet…..just don’t be a twit!