Sarcastic talk is lukewarm and has no positive value; its negative value harms the interests and growth of both you and others.
In the workplace, people work together, and different viewpoints can lead to conflicts. The psychological impact of the work environment often stirs people's emotions and cognition regarding the organizational environment, and the results of thinking inevitably lead to many things to say. What to say, how to say it, when to say it, and to whom vary by person. Some remain silent because they think the organizational environment is not conducive to speaking, while others feel uncomfortable if they don't speak and always have something to say.
The workplace should allow people to speak; it is everyone's right. I believe that an organization that does not allow its members to speak cannot gain collective wisdom. Because speaking is not only an expression of thought but also a display of wisdom and emotion. Even if what one says is detestable and offensive, it is still a manifestation of their thought and wisdom. But as a manager, how to speak in the workplace to show personal thought and wisdom? That is another question.
First, managers must have a sense of responsibility for survival and development in the workplace; I think everyone agrees on this. Therefore, I believe that managers should speak responsibly. If they only gossip, it may be just talk over meals, but if they say something irresponsible about themselves, employees, the organization, or customers, it will at least reduce their managerial authority in the organization.
Second, managers should have some resonance with their words. These resonators may be only grassroots employees, but if our words can resonate with them, it shows that our words have some value. Perhaps the organization or senior executives dismiss our words and do not give them greater value, but having resonators shows that our words represent the voices of some people.
Third, in the workplace, due to value conflicts and power competition, it is normal to have supporters or opponents. Speaking out of love for supporters naturally welcomes them. Speaking out of hatred for opponents, even using vulgar language, may not resolve conflicts, but at least opponents feel threatened and supporters experience catharsis, which has some value. Of course, if it can be humorous, the value may be greater, and if it can change opponents' positions, it would be ideal.
However, in the workplace, there are a few clever managers who, due to lack of responsibility, emotion, and stance, find that their resonators become fewer as they talk more. What do they usually say?—It is what people call "sarcastic talk."
Sarcastic talk is lukewarm; what thought does it express? What stance does it express? Those clever managers may want the listeners to experience it. But if listeners do not deeply consider the speaker's thought and stance, and only ask at the first level: What is your purpose in saying this? Then the sarcastic speaker may not be pleased.
Human language communication is meant to express thought and emotion. In the workplace, dialogue among colleagues should form collective wisdom for common survival and development. Sarcastic talk cannot express thought or emotion; what is the use of saying it? If it has no use, one should not say it, but some clever managers like to say it. I think this is a sign of being too clever.
Sarcastic talk harms others while also harming oneself
▌ Sarcastic talk hurts the listener's feelings. The listener could have been your good partner, but after hearing too much sarcastic talk, they will only stay away from you. ▌ Sarcastic talk does not inspire passion; it only dampens people's passion for work or career. If you say too much sarcastic talk, passionate people will stay away, and you will be left alone immersed in your own experience. ▌ Sarcastic talk cannot express thought or emotion. Human communication needs emotion and thought. If you like to say sarcastic talk, others will feel they are suffering when with you, and you will not receive their thought or emotion. Thus, you may end up alone. It is conceivable that a manager who is alone in an organization will not develop. ▌ Any organization's operation and management need collective wisdom. Different working methods, cases, and styles within the organization are the operation of people's wisdom. People may have opinions or views about the organization, leaders, or colleagues, and they can raise personal views on specific matters. But if you do not express clear personal views and instead use sarcastic talk, then the organization, leaders, or colleagues will think you are redundant.
It can be said that the workplace should allow people to speak, but managers must remember: say less or do not say "sarcastic talk," because "sarcastic talk" has no positive value; its negative value harms the interests and growth of both you and others.
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