“I probably shouldn’t say this.”
Then don’t.
Then ask yourself the following questions:
- Will what I say next add value to the conversation?
- Will what I say next solve a problem?
- Will what I say next contribute to the discussion in a positive way?
The answer to each of these questions is likely to be “no” if what you want to say requires the “I probably shouldn’t say this” caveat.
If, however, the answer to each of the above questions happens to be “yes,” then drop the “I probably shouldn’t say this” caveat and say what you have to say.
If what you have to say will make a difference, solve a problem or contribute in a positive way (even if what you have to say is difficult to hear), then you should say it.
I do wish more people would say, “I probably shouldn’t say this” before they speak. Maybe they wouldn’t have said what they just said.
I probably shouldn’t have said that.