Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

It is important to remember whose words we are discussing. If you mentioned something, we are discussing your words. If I mentioned something, we are discussing my words. There are ways to back away from our words.

I read the words from the PowerPoint. They were wrong. Simply wrong. 1 + 2 = 4. Wrong. When I questioned the words, arguments began. Finally, a third person said, “Wait. Those are your words on the PowerPoint. No one made you put them there. You put them there. We are merely discussing them.”

In that instance, the words originated with that other person. In other cases, the words originated with me. No one made me put the words on the PowerPoint. I put them there. They are my words. If they are wrong, I made the mistake.

It is possible to step away from my words. It is possible for you to step away from your words.

“You are correct. My words are incorrect. I was mistaken. Let’s find the correct words and move forward.”

It really is that simple. Own our words. Use them or toss them and find better ones.