Negative Framing

From making resolutions to making our organization unique compared to all others, the urge to use negative framing is strong and pervasive.

Stop this, end that. No one else does what we do... or offers you what we offer... and that makes us special.
 
Here's an example: Are you trying to quit smoking? You have a big choice just in the way you think and talk about what you’re doing and who you are.
 
Next time you’re out and about and a friend asks, do you want a cigarette? You could answer, “No, I’m trying to quit.” Or you could say, “No, I don’t smoke.”
 
Saying, “I’m trying to quit” is aspirational and dreams of one day, maybe, you’ll BE an ex-smoker.
 
Or, you can jump in the deep-end and BE a non-smoker and risk something by saying “I don’t smoke.”
 
For your business or organization to say "No, we don't do that" and leave it at that is so much more constructive - instead of delving into what's wrong with everyone else, it starts with the unexplained "No, we don't do that" and launches into "We do this instead" framing.

I'm convinced that negative framing shows a weak-hand (check out tomorrow's blog for more on a weak-hand).

Negative framing may or may not be right for you... it's just something to watch for.
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