Words can comfort us, excite us, or set us off. There is a one in five chance that our message will be misunderstood. When we use words that immediately raise the defenses of the receiver of our messages, these words can be called “Fighting Words”.
For instance, I was listening to snippets from one of the political candidates. I don’t recall what he was commenting on … I only remember he said “Like I said before …” and “As I previously stated …”. Think about it …. what are they really saying? Do they just want to jog your memory? Is it said to add emphasis? Or is it said to be intimidating and derogatory?
Continuing along this path, how did YOU take it? As a memory jogger? Or as figurative slap in your face?
Remember, it isn’t what you said, it’s what they think they heard.
