“What-aboutism” is a disorder where the patient often searches for excuses for why a particular methodology or idea won’t work instead of giving it an honest try or finding ways to make it work. They are often found saying variations of “yeah, but…” or “let me play the devil’s advocate here.”
If that sounds eerily familiar or worse, you think you are what-aboutism positive; I feel sorry for you. Not because it’s a terminal disease or even remotely life-threatening, but it sure will kill your dreams of achieving significant growth in your professional and personal life.
Sadly, it’s the people around you who will bear the brunt of your ailment than you. They will perpetually be annoyed, irritated, and frustrated. Some would choose to ignore or avoid you at all costs. The ones at the workplace will fire you as their boss and go to a competitor.
Sure some might be bold enough to tell you that you’re pessimistic and fail to understand their perspective, only to hear a “yeah, but… I’m practical” or a variation thereof. Here’s the challenge — no matter how “practical” you may think of yourself, if the people around you think you’re an asshole, that’s who you will be for them.
Thankfully, the antidote to “what-aboutism” is proper in the definition I shared above — instead of searching for excuses for not listening, take a step back, try to understand the other person’s perspective genuinely, and figure out ways to make things work.
If things don’t work out, people will be deeply appreciative of you trusting them and giving it a try. If everything works out, people will be grateful for your support and trust them with the solution.