I strive consistently to help my young children understand the importance of thinking before speaking. As kids, they are prone to blurt out what's on their mind as it occurs to them. While I praise their honesty, I also emphasize that, the fact that you believe something does not always mean that you should say it out loud. As business leaders, we too must be mindful of what we say and how we say it.
Recently, a friend shared five questions she asks when deciding whether to speak or remain silent. I am sharing it with my kids and incorporating it into my own life. Here are the questions. They include the T-H-I-N-K acronym so they are easy to remember.
- Is it True?
- Is it Helpful?
- Is it Inspiring?
- Is it Necessary?
- Is it Kind?
If something I am thinking is not all of those things, I try to make doubly sure that some significant good will come out of saying it aloud.
If you think these questions are helpful, I hope you will pass them along, especially to young people. I think they are a great reminder of the power of our words, and of our responsibility to use that power to make a positive and uplifting contribution.
Question: What do you think?
