By Mike Bossy - March 9, 2019

“When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears; so do one’s faults when one speaks.” This quote is from the Book of Sirach. I was giving some thought to how I hear what others are saying. I know I hear the words and I am certain I understand the meaning. But, do I really?

What is the speaker's perspective? What circumstances are they in? Does their or my Modus Operandi (MO) change the meaning of what is being said and how I interpret what is being said?

It reminds me of something Seth Godin bloggedabout. He said: “If your cause is important enough, it’s worth taking the time and the emotional energy to make your case without an argument. The opportunity is to recast your outcome in terms of the other person’s worldview...”

I have been building a list of words that have different meanings depending on perspective. The partial list is as follows:

1. Not now.

2. Go ask your mother.

3. What did your dad say?

4. Maybe.

5. Later.

6. I guess so.

7. Yes, but.

I am trying to get to 10. If you have some suggestions, please email me at mrbossy@bng-cpa.ca