One rainy day when my son Andrew was young, he got bored and used some crayons to turn our wall into a colorful mural.
I was not a happy camper. In the midst of letting him know this, he looked up and said, “Mom, can we have a FRESH START?“
Two words. Anger over.
What a shining example of how words can transform and transcend conflict.
Instead of creating anger or isolation, the right words can help us create cooperation and connection.
Saying “Fresh start?” can help clear the air, close the books on what’s gone wrong, make things right, and move everyone forward – for good.
Let’s be the bridge between conflict and cooperation.
ACTION
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Words matter, every one of them. Let’s promise to stop using extreme words like always, never, everyone and no one. Why is this important? Because extreme words trigger extreme reactions.
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Next time you’re about to use an extreme word, stop and ask yourself, “Is that true? What is true?” It’s important to make a specific, accurate observation instead of a sweeping accusation.
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Then respond by asking for what you DO want instead of what you DON’T.
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Download and share the infographic for more examples of what NOT to say and what to say instead.
