It's Just a Question

How often do we interpret another person’s question as a challenge when maybe it’s just an inquiry?

• “Is the project finished?”
• “What happened here?”
• “Did you speak with her?”
• “Where are you going?”

Each of these can be perceived as an attack, or as a sincere question.  

If you hear it as an attack, you might become defensive or guarded and start to provide justifications.

Or you could assume good intent, calmly answer the question, and proceed.

"No, the project's not done yet. We'll be finished on Wednesday."  (Period)