The Offensive
Shawn Gulyas
Founder | The Thought Catalyst at humanworks8 | Executive Leadership Coach | Strategic Planning Facilitator | Keynote Speaker | Podcast Guest | Kolbe Certified? | Culture Expert | Well-Being | Talent | Core Values
What do you do when someone says something you find offensive?
Are you afraid to speak up?
Do you ignore it and move on?
Do you pause to reflect and respond, or do you react in the moment?
Do you use it for a teaching moment for someone who may have a very different world view?
Do you give the person a second chance?? Three strikes and then you are out or one and done??
What if the person changes and what if the person doesn’t change?
Is it different based on level of friendship?? Is it different if it is family?? Is it different if it is a peer at work?? Is it different if it is a customer or client?
I believe in the freedom of speech, but I won’t allow harmful words coming from a place of ignorance to continue to hurt others in the room.
I’ve been in the room where it happens…? I believe I have always addressed it during or after…
But maybe I have missed something, and I feel bad for that even though right now I don’t have a specific example – I feel bad because I know that when I do hear offensive words it is awful and unacceptable.
I am going to try harder to stay tuned in and continue to teach, but once taught… the lesson must be learned and practiced in any room I am in…