Passing on unverified information hurts two people. One is the object of the information… and the other is the carrier of the information. Saying something about another person must be guided by three things. Ask these three questions. Is it necessary on the present situation? Is it kind? Is it true? You may know something to be true about the person, but if it has no bearing on the issue at hand, why bother to say it? You might just be compounding the issue further. Honesty is good but if done with irresponsible frankness, it can do more harm than good. Honest criticism should be tempered with kindness. Why rub it in when the person is already hurting inside. Speak the truth with love. The true sign of a person’s maturity is learning when to speak and what to say. And may I add how to say it.
I’m sure you’ve noticed this -- when you point your finger towards another, one finger points outward but three fingers point back at you, too. In much the same way can passing on unverified information hurt you. When this information is found out to be false maybe at a later time, everybody then begins to seek out who spread it - where it came from. And when traced back to you, it begins to affect or alter their opinion of your character. It absolutely can cut off a huge slice off it. Who’s going to want to trust you ever again? Will you be a credible person in their eyes hence? Remember that an acquired bad reputation will precede you wherever you go or whatever you do. Bad news travel fast. So then, do be careful what you say, or better yet, if you have nothing better and good to say, just please be quiet?
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