Watch your language

“We’ve discussed this several times before.”

Ok, if we already discussed this several times before, why are we discussing it again then?

Was it because we never decided what we needed to do? Or perhaps, we didn’t listen well enough? Or is it possible that you didn’t explain it adequately?

Or perhaps, you just don’t know how to have a proper conversation.

Let’s try another one.

It’s a great idea but…

So what does that mean? Is it a great idea or not? What do you like about the idea that makes you say great?

And why the but?

Then you find out it never was considered a great idea. It’s all about the but. The reasons why something would not work.

One of those reasons is…

We’ve already tried this before.

I’m sure you’ve heard that one before as well.

You or someone else brings an idea to the table. Then there’s someone in the group who decides to suck the energy out of the group by stating the idea is not new.

And it didn’t work last time.

Language matters.