Whataboutism

Whataboutism, where people respond to criticism by pointing out flaws in others, happens because folks want to avoid taking responsibility. It’s like when you’re in trouble and you try to change the subject instead of facing the music. This happens a lot when things get heated, especially in arguments where sides are really divided.

Whataboutism messes up conversations. Instead of dealing with the problem at hand, it just leads to more distractions and nobody learns anything.

To avoid whataboutism, it’s important to stay focused on the main issue and not get sidetracked by pointing fingers. Try to understand where the criticism is coming from and address it directly. It’s also helpful to listen to others without getting defensive. By staying honest and sticking to the point, we can have better conversations and actually solve problems together.

Try this: If you discover a “whataboutism” answer in a discussion, tell your colleague that you are aware of the other aspect and that you are willing to discuss this at a later moment. And ask for consent if you are able to continue with the previous topic or problem.