We disguise our personal opinions as universal facts without realizing it, creating barriers in communication and forcing our values on others.
The story
Ever notice how we turn our personal opinions into facts without even realizing it?
I used to do this constantly. “That movie was terrible.” “He’s so lazy.” “She’s the best.” These sound like simple observations, but they’re actually my personal values dressed up as universal truths.
This creates a huge communication barrier. We end up forcing our values on others without meaning to, which leads to misunderstandings and disconnection.
The breakthrough came when I learned to turn evaluations into value statements. Instead of declaring something as universally true, I express what matters to me personally. This simple shift builds self-awareness, authentic interactions, and personal responsibility.
Chapter 5 of my “A Practical EmPath Rewire Your Mind” book dives deep into this transformation. I explore why we get “addicted” to making quick judgments, how even positive evaluations can be problematic, and practical tools to help us communicate more clearly.
The four-step process I outline helps separate objective observations from loaded judgments. When we stop presenting our opinions as facts, something remarkable happens – we create space for others to have their own experience without feeling judged.
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about approaching conversations with genuine curiosity rather than hidden judgment. When we express our values clearly instead of disguising them as universal truths, we invite real dialogue and connection.
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