A business owner who read my newsletter regularly for more than a decade and often told me how much he always learned from me unsubscribed recently. All because of two words. Two words! Wow!

It’s no loss to me, but why would someone walk away from an abundant and free source of insights they value because of two words?

There are only two reasons I can think of. First, my two words were utterly horrific. Second, the person was wired for blind rage.

What were the two words that leaped out at this guy from all the other words I’ve written in 4 books and over 600 articles? What terrible words sent him running with seething indignation? “White guys.”

I used the words “white guys” when describing a client organization that was comprised primarily of white guys. It was a simple fact and a matter for concern for my client.

I also said that they were great white guys, which they were – “excellent, smart, dedicated, good people,” to be precise. Pretty unreasonable of me, don’t you think?

And I said that they thought a lot alike, another simple fact. They pretty much all came up through similar ranks and shared similar work experience and perspectives. Thus: “What they have is a lot of great white guys who think a lot alike.”

I don’t believe you can be offended by that statement unless you are waiting to pounce at the first opportunity. Unless you are primed to see those two words with anger and nothing else. Unable to separate the forest from the trees. Unable to find my meaning behind the blinding glare of two words. Unable to consider that you might be reading more into those words than my intent. Unable to still your emotional gut reaction long enough to avoid overreacting. Unable to react maturely and rationally as did hundreds of others readers, some of whom may also have flashed initially on those two words.

This world has far too many people lying in wait for simple excuses to sink their teeth into others and thrash them about in blind rage. Don’t be that way. You can’t be a good leader or manager — or spouse or friend or citizen — if you attack instead of listening and trying to understand.