Before speaking, consider six gates: intention (am I aiming to benefit?), accuracy (are my facts robust?), relevance (does this serve the moment’s need?), proportion (am I saying no more than necessary?), compassion (can I preserve dignity?), and agency (do my words point to next steps?). George Lakoff’s “truth sandwich” approach—state the fact, acknowledge the myth, restate the fact—illustrates how structure can curb harm while clarifying reality.
In practice, this means seeking consent for hard feedback, choosing examples over labels, and pairing critique with pathways forward. Thus, truth becomes an instrument of repair. Through these habits, we fulfill Neruda’s charge: to speak in ways that make others stronger, not smaller. [...]
