Cracking the Code: Stop Saying “Why” and “Should” for Better Workplace Communication

Two small words you use every day may be quietly damaging your workplace relationships: why and should. In leadership conversations, feedback moments, and everyday team communication, these common words often land differently than intended, triggering defensiveness, shame and disconnection instead of clarity and collaboration. "Why did you do that?" can sound like an interrogation. "You should have handled it differently" can sound like judgment. And when people feel accused or shamed, they s...