“Are you okay honey?” That’s the last thing you want to say to a person who looks upset, sad or angry. Here’s what to say instead.
Today I’m giving you a better phrase to use on someone who looks like they are having a rough day.
Think about a time when you were upset or sad and someone asked you “are you ok?” “why are you upset?”
Did that make you feel better? Or did it exacerbate those negative feelings?
It probably did the latter.
That’s why we want to avoid asking those types of questions.
Instead of stating the obvious, you want to show that person that you are caring and supportive. You can lend an ear or a shoulder to cry on.
But they won’t open up to you or seek out your help if you make them feel worse than they already do.
Instead, try this magic phrase:
I want you know that I'm here if you need to talk.
This phrase achieves a few key things:
- It shows you respect their privacy and feelings
- It shows you’re giving them time and space
- It gives them the freedom to come to you on their own timeline
They'll appreciate that you are not prying for information, you're not stating the obvious, and you're not patronizing them / invalidating their feelings.
CONCLUSION
So to recap: when someone looks visibly upset, whatever you do, don’t ask "what's wrong", "why're you upset?", or most egregious: “are you okay?”
Instead you say: I want you know that I'm here if you need to talk.
It will promote open, positive communication and establish your authenticity. You’ll be able to help the person much more effectively and they’ll be so grateful to you.
Do you have your own magic phrase to help someone who looks upset or sad? Let the Explearning 🐝 community know in the comments!
I’ll see you in my next lesson. 😊
Happy Explearning 🐝
About the Author and the Explearning Academy:
Meet Mary Daphne, the founder of the Explearning Academy. She specializes in helping professionals build strong communication habits, refine their executive presence, and achieve personal growth. The Explearning Academy is designed for those looking to boost their social fluency, advance their careers, and confidently navigate any social setting. Through a flexible blend of self-study materials and supportive monthly live coaching, participants develop sought-after social skills and find pathways to significant career advancement. Ready to elevate your negotiation prowess and network with driven individuals? Head over to academy.explearning.co to see how. Become part of the Explearning Academy community and start transforming your potential into reality.
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