Stay with yourself
Stay with yourself in tough conversations. Say 'To me, you look upset' instead of 'You look upset.' It fosters dialogue, not judgment.
Consider these two phrases:
"You look upset."
vs.
"To me, you look upset."
The first implies a fact about another, potentially causing defensiveness.
There's a certain finality to it, a lack of wiggle room.
The second stays with your own perspective, leaving room for possible error on your end.
It's a subtle difference, but opens up dialogue instead of closing it with a judgment.
The focus is on your interpretation, not imposing a reality on someone.
It's about framing our perceptions as just that—perceptions, not facts. It's about creating a space where dialogue can happen, opening up the possibility for understanding, not just defending.
Until next time, keep communicating wisely!