My husband Chris and I are in the kitchen, catching up on the day and chatting about work “stuff”. Before long, we’re both getting amped up. Voices are raising, and the conversation becomes a good ol’ back-and-forth bitch sesh. Complaining about this, venting about that.
8-year old Jack is in another room, doing his own thing, seemingly not paying attention. That is, until we hear…
“Looks like someone’s got a case of the business cranks!”
Our conversation comes to a screeching halt. Chris and I look at each other…and bust out laughing.
Here we are again, having a mirror shoved into our faces with yet another one of Jack’s interjections…the “Business Cranks”.
Yikes. Touché, Jack!
I’m fairly certain that neither Chris nor myself thought we were being cranky. If we were to tell the story, we were just having fun. Blowing off a little steam. But Jack saw what he saw and heard what he heard. We did not realize the effect we were having on the person within earshot.
Another dinnertime lesson. An opportunity for reflection.
I wonder, in the work environment, how many times people overhear a conversation, and wonder what it’s all about. Is that really how they feel? Are they just venting? Should I feel this way as well?
At one point, Jack was even asking, “Are you gonna lose your job? Does that mean we can’t live here anymore?”
*facepalm*
What we thought of as playful banter became something of real concern to Jack.
So let’s ask ourselves…
- How many times have I created unintended concerns because of my lazy language?
- Am I unconsciously creating an environment of uncertainty among my peers, staff, etc.?
- Am I in a place where I can have the Business Cranks, or should I save that for a space where I don’t get misinterpreted?
Today I invite you to think about what it means to be consciously aware of your surroundings when you speak. And, of course, lookout for those everyday life lessons. You never know when you could get schooled by an 8-year old!
