Question

Several years ago we did a PD session with you about positive environments and creating our ‘commitment to a winning team’…. You did an activity on replacing “but with and”  which I love and try to use as a rule. I am now with a new team and would like to work on some of the same things.   When introducing the concept, I didn’t get the same response you did in your session…. Anyway, could you share the activity with me or give me some suggestions??

Thanks so much, Bernice Landry

Answer

Thanks for your question. When teaching people how to be more positive in their writing, I show them a list of negative trigger words. Many are surprised to find the words but and however on the list. The problem with these words is they negate whatever comes before them. So, if I say, “Bernice, you’re doing an excellent job in your new role, but you are not proofreading your work well enough” you would deflate when I got to the word but, because I’ve canceled the positive.

Instead, you can often substitute the word and. Say “Bernice, you’re doing an excellent job in your new role, and to do an even better job take the time to proofread your written work carefully.” I’m saying the same thing, and instead of canceling the positive, I’m building on it.

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