I learned this ‘phrase’ from my brother while watching the Cubs play the Dodgers. When you don’t know what to say and are too polite to express what you REALLY think…rat farts! When you have been working hard and finally feel like you are back in the groove, to get bad news in a phone call that changes everything…rat farts! When you wake up and realize you have run out of clean underwear…rat farts! When you know the answer to the boss’ game changing question, and only remember it on your drive home at the end of the day…rat farts!
There are millions of words you could use or invent, yet not many express your frustration and disgust better than ‘rat farts’. It’s both disgusting and funny at the same time. It also provides an outlet for your emotions that is somewhat socially acceptable. People understand something has gone wrong and can empathize with your dilemma. It usually gets a giggle.
I have seen too many executives and professionals poorly express their anger and frustration, at the wrong time or in the wrong meeting. This then turns into a CLM…career limiting move. They use the wrong terminology (if you catch my drift) which both offends and stuns at the same time. In some environments that type of language is part of the culture; in other organizations that poor use of the English language is a career dead end. It might not happen right away, yet the seed has been planted and rarely forgotten.
Being a leader in any arena means knowing your audience and environment, being situaltionally aware and intune with what is going on in the room. It means tempering your words to express clearly what you think and feel without offending your audience. Being a leader may mean hearing poorly chosen words, it does not give you have the right to repeat them. Being a leader means providing feedback when someone shoots themselves in the foot with a langauge foul and privately educating them about how to better express their emotions.
Think before you speak, express only what needs to be expressed to the current audience…and when all else fails, go with a funny explicative to relieve the pressure. Rated G is best, or go outside and scream. You want to be remembered for what your words inspired in others not how they offended the room.
Ann Art Gallery Blog 