But: The Creativity Killer
It happens thousands of times a day, and most of us aren’t even aware of it. We use the word “but”. It’s a natural reflex in world where we feel that we need to qualify our emotions and our opinions — so we always have a way out. It’s natural. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s human.
And as creatures with a large cerebral cortex, we have a choice. We can choose to nullify whatever positive energy we may have contributed by ending our thoughts with a “but…” Instead, I propose the better option: we can choose to amplify what’s good and take the damper off by finding a different word, like “and.”
I inherited my critical gene from my mother, god rest her soul, and it’s taken me years to evolve from critical to curious. I discovered that by being curious I could avoid the use of the “B-Word”, and things became more positive. Turning your concerns into curiosity keeps the conversation flowing and the ideation growing.
Now as I go through my day, I try never to use the “B-Word”. Even if I need to pause and start my sentence over again, the outcome is invariably more positive. Give it a try and find a different word to express where you want the conversation to go instead of nullifying someone else’s ideas – or your own!
Be creative!
At Granite Solutions Groupe, we believe that harnessing positivity and creativity only leads to good things. Clients choose us because we take the time to understand their needs and deliver top-quality talent that that gets consistent and efficient results. Consultants work with us because their talents and skills are understood and respected. To learn more about how we can help your team successfully complete its next project, reach out to engage@granitesolutionsgroupe.com.