Do you know a COMMUNICATION TERRORIST? (or are YOU one?)
Someone recently labeled himself as a COMMUNICATION TERRORIST. I had never heard that one before. Drop the bomb, attack, pull away, leave devastation behind. Like a sniper looking for the next place to attack, always on the alert for the next altercation or perception of confrontation, offense and insult.
Conflict, insult, offense, perceived or real injustice….the bombing ruins relationships, jobs, family, well-being. The image of a terrorist is strong-but the definition includes one who uses threats, intimidation and violence to protect their political or personal aim. But a communication terrorist? A person who has a history of angry outbursts or also passive/aggressive means to harm others with intent to protect themselves and promote their beliefs (think of a bomb vs. bioterrorism….so the attack needn’t be outwardly violent, but a long, slow, mean death serves the same results).
React and ruin OR respond, resolve and restore. Having healthy communication and managing our behaviors and feelings in ways that will bring relationship resolution is hard, focused work. But then, so is cleaning up after a communication bomb and living with the damage and isolation it causes.
STOP. PAUSE. THINK. PULL AWAY (if you must). Then…RESPOND and RESOLVE.