Absolute truth Quote by Sheryl Sandberg
““I learned that effective communication starts with the understanding that there is MY point of view, (my truth), and someone else's point of view (his truth). Rarely is there one absolute truth, so people who believe that they speak THE truth are very silencing of others. When we realize and recognize that we can see things only from our own perspective, we can share our views in a nonthreatening way. Statements of opinion are always more constructive in the first person "I" form. The ability to listen is as important as the ability to speak. Miscommunication is always a two way street.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Facebook Leadership Talk, 2015
Effective communication requires recognizing multiple perspectives and using first‑person statements to avoid imposing absolute truth.
In simple terms: See others’ views, speak from “I”.
Key Takeaway
Use “I” statements and listen actively.
Themes
communication
empathy
truth
listening
conflict resolution
Mood
reflective
constructive
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Team meetings
- customer service
- negotiations
- family discussions
- online forums
Key Concepts
Perspective‑taking
relativism
non‑violent communication
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you reframe a disagreement to focus on personal experience?
- What habits help you stay open to others’ truths?
A Different Perspective
If participants cling to “the truth,” dialogue can still stall.
![“[Eric Schmidt] explained that only one criterion that mattered when picking a job- fat growth. When companies grow quickly, there are more things to do than there are people to do them. When companies grow more slowly or stop growing, there is less to do and too many people to not be doing them…” quote by Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23b/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_eric-schmidt-explained-that-only-one-cri_16526.jpg)
