If you are in a professional organization, chances are the organization maintains a discussion list or board (I’ll say “discussion list” for the rest of this post, even though I mean both). Such a list is an invaluable tool for sharing and getting great ideas, telling the occasional (appropriate) joke, and encouraging others, to name some. One of the professional organizations of which I am a member has a wonderful discussion list, the posts on which I read regularly. I also post on the list occasionally, when I have something important to say or have a question.

However, there are some people out there who make a discussion list harmful. These are the people who dress others down in front of thousands of other members when a mistake or an offense is made. They are the people who insult others and start fights. In the horrific summer of 2020, I witnessed a discussion list go into major meltdown.

How do the members of a professional organization keep a discussion list safe and comfortable for everyone? In my opinion, they do so by following the “three B’s and a T.”

Be respectful. Remember that not everyone shares your opinion. Remember that the people on a discussion board might not look like you, have your financial status, or even come from the same country as you, so do not assume that they think just like you do. Also, remarks or jokes that are critical of others—whether they look like you or not—are inappropriate and have no place on a discussion list.

Be kind. If, for example, an upset novice editor posts on the discussion list about how they  shortchanged a client by accident, don’t jump on the list and scold them, telling them how they should have used such and such timekeeping software and plugged in their brain. Instead, give them helpful suggestions along with an “I’m sorry this happened to you.” Right now, they need sympathy.

Be fruitful. By this, I mean that if you have a great idea about how you made something work for you, share it. Others on the discussion list will be grateful and may even thank you in a post. You can also pick up great ideas from others who share them.

Treat others the way you want to be treated on the discussion list. This one goes without saying.

If you are or have been on a discussion list or board, what has been your experience?