What I mean to say, while I don’t actually know the answer to this question, in my opinion, the phrase ‘I don’t know’ is very powerful, and is under-utilized in today’s society.
Somehow we’ve gotten to the point that it considered a negative to admit that you don’t know something. The anchors on a cable news program, for instance, aren’t paid to say ‘I don’t know’ and so they do endless speculating about a developing news story, which is useless at best and harmful at worst. Our political leaders are less likely to be elected if they admit to not knowing something.
Well, there’s a lot that I don’t know. Our world is so complicated that it’s impossible for any one person to know everything. And the act of saying ‘I don’t know’ is the first step to learning, and can help start a conversation. I wish it happened more in our society.
Lee, I agree, and wish more people would be willing to admit they don’t know something. I also think that the words “please”, “thank you”, and “I’m sorry” are under-used and quite powerful. And now, drumroll please, my most powerful word is…”love.”
Words that praise others!
Outstanding!
Excellent!
Well done!
Anything that says, “You did a great job!”
Will not only lift up the spirit of another, but give yourself a warm feeling as well.
I find “imagine” to be one of the most powerful words. Aspiration is a wonderful thing. But first we must use our imagination to know what we want to achieve. The same is true when we individually or as a community want to right our wrongs. Unfortunately, too many people think their or our wrongs are intractable. So hats off to those who believe in themselves as well as the change agents who imagine and then strive for something better!
I also find the word “snazzy” to be a powerful word. People smile when you tell them they are snazzy.
The most powerful words are any words that end with a question mark. Questions are always more powerful than answers. If you have the time, take a look at the following comic strip and let me know: What do you think?
I loved the comic and value the quality of the question posed.
Open ended questions are by far the best ones. Once we decide on an answer I guess we close the door.
I don’t know.
What I mean to say, while I don’t actually know the answer to this question, in my opinion, the phrase ‘I don’t know’ is very powerful, and is under-utilized in today’s society.
Somehow we’ve gotten to the point that it considered a negative to admit that you don’t know something. The anchors on a cable news program, for instance, aren’t paid to say ‘I don’t know’ and so they do endless speculating about a developing news story, which is useless at best and harmful at worst. Our political leaders are less likely to be elected if they admit to not knowing something.
Well, there’s a lot that I don’t know. Our world is so complicated that it’s impossible for any one person to know everything. And the act of saying ‘I don’t know’ is the first step to learning, and can help start a conversation. I wish it happened more in our society.
Lee, I agree, and wish more people would be willing to admit they don’t know something. I also think that the words “please”, “thank you”, and “I’m sorry” are under-used and quite powerful. And now, drumroll please, my most powerful word is…”love.”
Words that praise others!
Outstanding!
Excellent!
Well done!
Anything that says, “You did a great job!”
Will not only lift up the spirit of another, but give yourself a warm feeling as well.
Cori, thanks for your wonderful answer. We all need props every now and then.
I find “imagine” to be one of the most powerful words. Aspiration is a wonderful thing. But first we must use our imagination to know what we want to achieve. The same is true when we individually or as a community want to right our wrongs. Unfortunately, too many people think their or our wrongs are intractable. So hats off to those who believe in themselves as well as the change agents who imagine and then strive for something better!
I also find the word “snazzy” to be a powerful word. People smile when you tell them they are snazzy.
Michael, when I use your word “Snazzy”. I feel like I’m stealing.
Maybe I shouldn’t, but I do. LOL.
The most powerful words are any words that end with a question mark. Questions are always more powerful than answers. If you have the time, take a look at the following comic strip and let me know: What do you think?
http://kiriakakis.net/comics/mused/a-day-at-the-park
I loved the comic and value the quality of the question posed.
Open ended questions are by far the best ones. Once we decide on an answer I guess we close the door.