No Never, No Always

In what ways do you react when someone says one of these two things to you relating to something wrong you do or something you fail to do?

You always ______________!

You never _______________!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You always interrupt me!

You never listen to me!

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You always take the credit!

You never share the credit!

If you’re like me, you probably don’t respond well to either of them. It’s challenging enough to be told that we’re not meeting someone’s expectations, but it’s extremely difficult when it comes in the form of a ridiculous accusation.

Yes, I said ridiculous. What I’ve come to understand is that nothing is always and nothing is never. This is why it’s difficult to hear input framed this way. In fact, I will often find myself not listening because of the words always and never.

I’ve especially taken this truth to heart when it comes to what I share with others, and I’m careful not to claim that someone always does something or never does something.

Remember this truth when it comes to feedback and input –nothing and no one is always and nothing and no one is never. Speak your truth to others but drop the exaggerations that make it less likely to be heard.

#NeverAlways #Communication #Leadership #SnowGlobeLeadership