Mike DomitrzPresident, Author, and Speaker on Respect, The Center for Respect, Inc. · Author & Speaker on Respect for Schools, Corporations, & the Military since 1990 (has reached

Explore other's ideas instead of degrading them!

4 Jul 2023 · 1 min

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In this brief workplace communication coaching segment, the speaker highlights how common dismissive phrases—such as "we've tried that a million times"—can unintentionally shut down colleagues. He distinguishes between the speaker’s intent (to save time) and the impact (silencing ideas), urging listeners to shift from a defensive stance to one of curiosity. By leading with appreciative language and asking how a suggested solution could overcome existing barriers, the speaker demonstrates a more constructive response that invites fresh ideas, even when past attempts have failed. The core message is to replace dismissive reactions with curiosity‑driven questioning to keep the door open for innovative solutions.

Chapters

You want to be able to look at the words we use in the workplace. Sometimes people degrade or dismiss by saying things like, we've tried that a million times. It's not going to work. Now, what would have been a way better way to respond to that? A way better way to respond to that is to think, hmm, how could I have a different impact? That impact shut that person down. My intent was to save time and think that's not going to work, but my impact was to shut that person down. What if instead I had led with curiosity? I had explored the possibility. So now they say, hey, I want to try this. Instead of me going, that's never worked in 20 years, I say, well, thank you for sharing that. We have struggled with that for 20 years. How would you overcome the barrier we're facing here? Maybe they're the first person to have a solution in 20 years, but we didn't even open that possibility if we just shut them down the first time.