I was scrolling through Facebook a while ago and amongst all of the articles I saw on my feed, there was one that caught my attention. The article was a list of reasons why your blunt friend is the best friend you could ever have. My eyes rolled so far back into my head it hurt.
In my experience, sometimes having a friend who's very blunt can be challenging. Yes, they are telling you the truth, but their "truth" is not always effective.
For those who don't know, there IS a difference between being blunt and being honest.
Here are the definitions of both "blunt" and "honest" according to dictionary.com:
Blunt: abrupt in address or manner.Honest: honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair.
When you are blunt, you're completely focused on getting your point across to someone and not considering how your response will make them feel. You need to stop and think about what to say before you open your mouth. Your words need to be honorable.
With that being said, you have to keep an open mind. Don't allow your own opinions and perspectives get in the way even you strongly disagree with the person you're talking to. It's better to have an honest dialogue than a blunt monologue.
Bluntness is filled with emotion. To be helpfully honest with someone, you have to put your own emotions aside, no matter how hard it will be. If your statements are packed with emotion, neither of you will be able to listen to what the other has to say.
I've heard starting sentences with the word "you" can lead to disaster, especially in the workplace. Starting with "you" can lead to a person becoming defensive and eventually shutting down. ("You aren't doing this right," "You're wrong," etc.). Communication is key as long as your goal is to improve the situation.
This sounds too "picky," but watching your tone of voice is important, too. If you keep your voice soft and slow, it can sound patronizing. But do not talk too fast either, as that makes you sound brutal. You need to be in the middle.
Being blunt will get you nowhere. All it will do is drive people away. Telling people the truth is crucial, but you don't have to hurt their feelings in the process.
