If you're worried about inadvertently causing offense in the workplace, consider:
1⃣ Treating people with kindness and respect by default which encourages them to give you the benefit of the doubt.
2⃣ Not getting massively defensive or aggressive when someone raises an issue.
1⃣ Treating people with kindness and respect by default which encourages them to give you the benefit of the doubt.
2⃣ Not getting massively defensive or aggressive when someone raises an issue.
When people can see you're trying, and making a genuine effort, they are far more likely to be patient with you.
If you're an asshole, they are far more likely to see even inadvertent faux pas as a deliberate attack, dismissive thoughtlessness or calculated cruelty.
If you're an asshole, they are far more likely to see even inadvertent faux pas as a deliberate attack, dismissive thoughtlessness or calculated cruelty.
Learning to treat being pulled up on something you said that hurt someone's feelings as an opportunity for dialogue, rather than as a final and damning judgement on your character hard.
Fight or flight is a natural instinct.
Still, it diffuses situations 99% of the time.
Fight or flight is a natural instinct.
Still, it diffuses situations 99% of the time.
I should add, "opportunity for dialogue" does not mean "opportunity for high school debate."
"What about people who just run around looking for excuses to be offended, or who weaponize offense?"
They exist but:
a) the rules still apply here. If people know you as someone kind and respectful see you making an effort to engage, you won't be diminished in their eyes.
They exist but:
a) the rules still apply here. If people know you as someone kind and respectful see you making an effort to engage, you won't be diminished in their eyes.
b) The existence of a minority that exploit offense doesn't mean we shouldn't seek to be kind, polite and considerate in the workplace any more than the existence of fucking idiots on twitter means we should shut down the platform.
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