Zoe Asher
Zoe Asher
5 Words You’re Saying That Make People Think You’re ATTACKING Them
5 Words You’re Saying That Make People Think You’re ATTACKING Them
5 Words You’re Saying That Make People Think You’re ATTACKING Them
Thursday 28th August 2025
Discover five common words that escalate conflict and learn how to avoid them for better communication and relationships.
13 minutes
Informative
Encouraging
Supportive
Engaging
Transformative
About this podcast
Author:
Zoe Asher
Overview:
Categories:
Relationships & Community
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Entrepreneurship for Personal Growth
Body & Mind
Healing Relationships
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Episodes:
115 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Five Words That Could Be Ruining Your Conversations
Episode Overview
- Using 'why' can make others feel attacked; opt for 'what' or 'how'.
- 'But' after an apology can negate sincerity; use 'and' instead.
- 'Should' often implies judgement; focus on future actions.
- 'You' can make others feel accused; start with 'I'.
- 'Always' and 'never' exaggerate situations; use specific examples.
Avoiding these words in conversation will get you to reconciliation faster than you ever thought possible.
Ever found yourself in a conversation that suddenly takes a nosedive, leaving everyone defensive? This episode of Accidentally Intentional is here to rescue you from those awkward moments. Zoe Asher breaks down five common words that can unintentionally put people on edge and escalate conflict. These danger words are ones we often use without realising their impact. Once you know them, you'll start catching them everywhere, and the best part is, you'll learn how to avoid them!
Zoe shares her experience of helping a friend craft an email to mend a broken friendship, highlighting how removing these words can make all the difference. The first word on the hit list is 'why'. While it seems harmless, asking 'why' can feel like an attack on someone's character. Zoe suggests swapping it for 'what' or 'how' to create a more open dialogue. Next up is 'but', especially when used after an apology.
Instead of saying 'I'm sorry, but...', try using 'and' to keep things smooth. The third word is 'should', which often projects judgment rather than support. Using future-focused language can shift the tone positively. Zoe also advises against using 'you', which can make others feel accused. Instead, share your feelings by starting with 'I'. Finally, the combo of 'always' and 'never' should be avoided as they can exaggerate situations and provoke defensiveness.
The episode is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build deeper connections. So, are you ready to transform your conversations and relationships? Dive in and discover how avoiding these five words can lead to more fruitful interactions.