The "But" Habit
Why It's Time to Break Up
Have you ever noticed a word that seems to pop up everywhere in the workplace? Many of us find ourselves cringing at "synergy" and the verb form of "leverage." But the word that truly takes the cake is "but."
"But" is a bit of a communication gremlin. It often negates the positive aspects of a statement, creating a mental roadblock in conversations.
Consider this sentence: "I like this plan, but it's more time than we wanted to invest." This phrasing downplays the initial positive sentiment.
Reframing with "And" for Collaborative Solutions
Instead of "but," try using "and" to build on ideas. Anyone with experience in the world of improv will know about the idea of ‘Yes And’. The ‘And’ is super powerful.
Here's how the previous sentence could be transformed:
"I like this plan, and I'd like to see how we can make it work by reducing the level of time investment."
This approach emphasizes the positive aspects while acknowledging potential challenges and seeking solutions.
The impact of having a 'but' addiction is that you may end up criticizing more than contributing.
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