Takeaway
Before and during difficult communication, ask yourself: Are my words King TUT? Is what I am saying kind, true, do I even need to say it, and, finally, is this the best time to say it?
Connecting with Patients | May 20, 2019 | <1 min read
By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine
When I was at a meditation retreat a couple of years ago, a wonderful meditation teacher, Mary Aubrey, shared something related to communication that has really stuck with me.
“See if your communication is King TUT,” she said. This is an acronym that stands for:
Kind, Truthful, Useful, and Timely
I often ask myself this question, especially before and during difficult communication: Is my speech King TUT?
More specifically, is what I am saying kind, is it true, do I even need to say it (i.e., is it useful), and, finally, is this the best time to say it?
I can’t say I always get it right, but King TUT has been a useful guide in my communication. There have been many times when I ask myself these aforementioned questions, modify my speech as a result, and have more optimal outcomes with both patients and colleagues.