Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

When we say, “Let’s not tell them (this yet)…” We have learned exactly what we should tell “them” first.

There are the hushed tones. “In this meeting, we want to get across these things, but let’s all keep in mind that we don’t want to tell them about…”

This is one variation of, “Let’s not tell them…this…at this time…at this meeting…and so on…”

When we hear ourselves say this, we now know exactly what we should say to “them.”

1 We are afraid of a few things.

2 One fear is that we will communicate poorly and cause you to do something we don’t want you to do.

3 So, given our fears of our failures, here goes…

4 Please tell us what you heard us say.

5 Please tell us what you are considering doing because of what we said.

6 Please understand. We want what is best for all of us.

7 Please understand. We don’t want our failings to ruin this for all of us.

Whew. Got it out.

Now, what were we afraid of? And…what is it we are not doing that brings all this fear?