It’s wild how fast we can jump to conclusions—especially online. We don’t get the benefit of hearing someone’s tone of voice, seeing their body language, or catching that soft smile that might completely change how we read their words. Without those human cues, we fill in the blanks ourselves… and let’s be honest, sometimes we fill them in with fear, defensiveness, or even past hurts.
But here’s the truth I’ve had to remind myself of (more than once):
Just because we felt a certain way about what someone said, doesn’t mean that’s how they meant it.
Sometimes they misunderstood us.
Sometimes we misunderstood them.
And more often than not, both sides are carrying invisible weight that has nothing to do with each other.
And here’s me being real:
I almost made that mistake this week.
Someone left feedback before reaching out, and I felt the sting. My first reaction? Defensiveness. Frustration. But after a pause—and a breath—we talked. She was gracious. We cleared the air. And in the end? It turned into a good experience for both of us.
That moment reminded me that even when we’ve been on the receiving end of unfair treatment (like I talked about in my last blog post), it’s still our job to lead with care and clarity—especially when we’re the one in the wrong. It’s never weakness to take a breath before you respond. It’s wisdom.
So next time you feel that sting or confusion bubble up… try this with me:
Stop. Breathe. Re-read. Reflect. Respond kindly.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all just humans (or maybe AI, hey Spock 😉) trying our best to be heard and understood.