Home » Coaching Blog » Common Coaching Topics » Conflict Management » THINK Acronym for Kinder and More Effective Communications (Infographic) THINK Acronym for Kinder and More Effective Communications (Infographic) Last Updated: December 15, 2021 Reading Time: Less than 1 minEmma-Louise ShareTweet23Share40Pin4K4K SharesThis THINK acronym and infographic helps us communicate more kindly with others. Originally the THINK acronym was created to help reduce online bullying (to be used before posting something on Social Media), but it's actually useful for all our communications... Where could you communicate more kindly with the THINK Acronym? To deepen your learning, ponder the questions below: How could the THINK Acronym help your clients? How could you use this THINK acronym in workshops or groups? Where could THINK help you in your relationships (work, home, socially)? Where could you post this THINK infographic to reduce online (or other) bullying? Who else could find this acronym helpful? Finally, if you liked this THINK Acronym Infographic on Kindness and Communication, you may also like: Be Brave – Be Authentic – Be Fabulous! By Ruby McGuire Healthy Conflicts: What's Underneath the Anger Costume? By Julia Menard 5 Conflict Tips and a Powerful Model to Make Your Conflict Conversations Run More Smoothly! Contributing Author: Emma-Louise Elsey is passionate about kindness, coaching and personal development and has been coaching since 2003. She's the Founder and Former CEO of The Coaching Tools Company, and Founder of Fierce Kindness. Originally a project and relationship manager for Fortune 500 companies she loves to create coaching tools and exercises, including lots of free coaching tools for you here at The Coaching Tools Company. Through Fierce Kindness she helps people create a life they love, make a difference and learn to be kind to themselves. She'd love you to sign-up for the Fierce Kindness Newsletter and grab a free How to Be Kind to Yourself Workbook. Or connect personally on Linkedin, Facebook or Instagram. Learn more about Emma-Louise & see all their articles here >> Categories: Coaching Ideas & Inspiration, Coaching Infographics, Conflict Management, Difficult Clients, Kindness, Personal Growth for Coaches, Walking our Talk 37 Comments Lynda Monk February 29, 2016 Hi Emma, do you know the original source of THINK? It is a great tool, thank you for sharing it! Warmly, Lynda Reply Emma-Louise February 29, 2016 I did some research and couldn't find the original source. It seems to have originated as an anti-bullying acronym for social media posting. But sadly, no luck as to finding the origin! 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Karina Leonard January 28, 2022 I believe it was made popular by Alan Redpath during his evangelist work in the '50s and early '60s. Still applicable today and a useful way to frame the messages we tell ourselves and others. Emma-Louise February 1, 2022 Thank-you Karina! I often wonder (and am asked) where the THINK acronym came from. I will look into Alan Redpath 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Rochelle Blaszczyk June 23, 2017 I knew the THINK acronym well before there was such a thing as "online" anything. Don't know who created it, but it didn't have anything to do with online bullying. However, it is a great acronym to live by and remind us that our words have consequences. Reply Maria April 19, 2021 Same! My Dad, who is now 75 used to say this to us kids a lot (I’m 42). Way before social media ever existed. In fact before internet and DVD’s! Michela Phillips April 20, 2021 It's timeless! Your dad was onto something! - Michela Claire June 13, 2018 i believe it is based upon a Buddhist saying: Before you speak, let your words pass through 3 gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Reply Fern July 7, 2020 Do all these need to be true? Sometimes something needs to be said that isn’t kind, but it is true, helpful, important....if we apply this to everything we communicate, everyday, why would we even speak our opinion on something? Reply Emma-Louise July 13, 2020 Hi Fern, Great comment! And I agree (personally). I think we can ALWAYS be kind - but that doesn't mean we aren't firm or even fiercely kind. In fact, I am in the process of developing a new practice/website and much more - based on exactly this, Fierce Kindness. Kindness that is strong, protects boundaries and speaks the truth - is still kindness! Warmly, Emma-Louise Jamie January 23, 2021 I am looking to it as applicable only if we are talking about another person, it's how to avoid being critical/rude to others or gossiping about others. Linda Vaudeville February 16, 2024 I always told my kids that "Everything can be said but the manner in which you say is important. It's nice to be important but more important to be nice." So they were raised that they can speak their mind but also say it in the kindness way possible. 😀 Pam November 15, 2016 Many times there are infographs...where can I get a copy of them as a poster like the "think' one? Reply Emma-Louise November 15, 2016 Dear Pam, great question. You can always "right-click" on the image, save or copy the image and then print it if you'd like a copy to refer to! Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Peggy Baldwin January 1, 2017 I'm trying to find the source also. I've heard it for many years, way before social media. Reply Emma-Louise January 2, 2017 Dear Peggy, well, if you ever do find the source, I'd love to hear about it. And if I find the source, I'll share it here too. Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Pamela May 10, 2017 In 1932 A 4 Way Test was created by Rotarian Herbert J Taylor 1. Is it the Truth? 2. Is it Fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendship? 4. Will it be Benefical to all? Reply Emma-Louise May 11, 2017 Thank-you Pamela - that's lovely! I have heard it before, but didn't know where it was from 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Rocio July 12, 2018 Hello 🙂 I would like to share this graphic for a blog post I am doing. I would like to keep it attached to your website so coaches can find it. Let me know if this is okay with you, please 🙂 Reply Emma-Louise July 16, 2018 Hi Rocio, this is fine with us! We designed our infographics to be helpful - and shareable! Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Claudia April 3, 2019 I found you in a Google search as I couldn't remember the "I" in THINK! I was given this back in the 1980s in management training programs, long before online bullying needed the refresher. Reply Emma-Louise April 3, 2019 Hi Claudia, thank-you for your comment! That's great to hear - I've had trouble finding the origin of this acronym! It's been around for quite a while then! Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Lynda Boxwell May 25, 2020 From Claire .............. June 13, 2018 i believe it is based upon a Buddhist saying: Before you speak, let your words pass through 3 gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Reply Emma-Louise May 27, 2020 Hi Lynda, that definitely fits the THINK Acronym. Thank-you for that reference 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Barbara Coloroso January 30, 2022 I think the three gates it was a Sufi saying, not Buddhist Reply clifford armenta July 17, 2020 With each word that is spoken, let it edify the hearer Reply Cristi A Cave August 12, 2020 I found a little hand-made book of my mother's, when she was a little girl, that had this saying in it. And she quoted it to me once as well. This little book would have been made in about 1946. The difference was that "Inspiring" was definitely not the word for "I". That "Inspiring" part strikes me as very wrong. We should never speak unless we think our words are inspiring? If so, only narcissists would be talking. I believe the original might well have been "Important." Reply mturcott September 1, 2020 How interesting! Yes, maybe Inspiring isn't always possible but in the image it also says "Does it IMPROVE on the silence". Reply Paul March 21, 2021 Here it becomes interesting. (No pun.) Although acronyms may be useful, the difference between Important and Necessary is often overlooked in this scenario. Also, a thought is easily lost in translation to the spoken word, and words that may trigger the listener don't really help (to convey the message, any message). With this in mind, Kind should alwas come first, imo. And then there is Inspiring, often misused for Motivating, and vv. Inspiring, Important, Necessary, Helpful and Interesting may well be within the Buddhist's Necessary. I wonder who translated the Buddhist saying into English? Also, in Al-Anon and Co-dependents Anonymous (CoDA) I came across different versions of the THINK tool. Reply Noelle October 7, 2020 It’s from the 12 step program, Al-anon. Z12 step programs are largely based on Buddhist principals. Reply Ron April 14, 2024 My understanding is that the 12 steps are based on Judeo-Christian principles. Specifically it was based on the Sermon on the Mount, 1st Corinthians 13, and the book of James. Reply Ramos Hector April 5, 2021 I could not remember Helpful or Inspiring and it kept my up at night until I googled it. The most important (I think)is the other three; True, Necessary, Kind which came naturally to me. Reply Michela Phillips April 5, 2021 I'm glad you resonate with the acronym, Ramos. Thanks for sharing! Kindly, Michela Reply Aspie The One and Only May 9, 2022 The source of this acronym is universal, Buddha, Sufism, the bible etc. This THINK acronym is an evolution of those principles. I also like these: One needs to be silent in order to listen. And both silent and listen use the same letters. And: everything you say needs to be true, but not everything that is true needs to be said. Reply Amy September 20, 2022 I don't remember the first time I heard this but, as someone else commented, it IS tubeless! I am a Christian and it is a great "nutshell" for many scriptures that focus on our speech/talk. Specifically, I'm studying in James right now. Reply Ellen October 14, 2022 I personally learned THINK through AL-Anon. 🙂 I was out on the interwebs looking for a corporate way to integrate it at work as I am a people leader and voila. Thank you! Reply Emma-Louise October 18, 2022 So glad you found this THINK Acronym Graphic helpful! 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ
Lynda Monk February 29, 2016 Hi Emma, do you know the original source of THINK? It is a great tool, thank you for sharing it! Warmly, Lynda Reply
Emma-Louise February 29, 2016 I did some research and couldn't find the original source. It seems to have originated as an anti-bullying acronym for social media posting. But sadly, no luck as to finding the origin! 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
Karina Leonard January 28, 2022 I believe it was made popular by Alan Redpath during his evangelist work in the '50s and early '60s. Still applicable today and a useful way to frame the messages we tell ourselves and others.
Emma-Louise February 1, 2022 Thank-you Karina! I often wonder (and am asked) where the THINK acronym came from. I will look into Alan Redpath 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise
Rochelle Blaszczyk June 23, 2017 I knew the THINK acronym well before there was such a thing as "online" anything. Don't know who created it, but it didn't have anything to do with online bullying. However, it is a great acronym to live by and remind us that our words have consequences. Reply
Maria April 19, 2021 Same! My Dad, who is now 75 used to say this to us kids a lot (I’m 42). Way before social media ever existed. In fact before internet and DVD’s!
Claire June 13, 2018 i believe it is based upon a Buddhist saying: Before you speak, let your words pass through 3 gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Reply
Fern July 7, 2020 Do all these need to be true? Sometimes something needs to be said that isn’t kind, but it is true, helpful, important....if we apply this to everything we communicate, everyday, why would we even speak our opinion on something? Reply
Emma-Louise July 13, 2020 Hi Fern, Great comment! And I agree (personally). I think we can ALWAYS be kind - but that doesn't mean we aren't firm or even fiercely kind. In fact, I am in the process of developing a new practice/website and much more - based on exactly this, Fierce Kindness. Kindness that is strong, protects boundaries and speaks the truth - is still kindness! Warmly, Emma-Louise
Jamie January 23, 2021 I am looking to it as applicable only if we are talking about another person, it's how to avoid being critical/rude to others or gossiping about others.
Linda Vaudeville February 16, 2024 I always told my kids that "Everything can be said but the manner in which you say is important. It's nice to be important but more important to be nice." So they were raised that they can speak their mind but also say it in the kindness way possible. 😀
Pam November 15, 2016 Many times there are infographs...where can I get a copy of them as a poster like the "think' one? Reply
Emma-Louise November 15, 2016 Dear Pam, great question. You can always "right-click" on the image, save or copy the image and then print it if you'd like a copy to refer to! Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
Peggy Baldwin January 1, 2017 I'm trying to find the source also. I've heard it for many years, way before social media. Reply
Emma-Louise January 2, 2017 Dear Peggy, well, if you ever do find the source, I'd love to hear about it. And if I find the source, I'll share it here too. Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
Pamela May 10, 2017 In 1932 A 4 Way Test was created by Rotarian Herbert J Taylor 1. Is it the Truth? 2. Is it Fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendship? 4. Will it be Benefical to all? Reply
Emma-Louise May 11, 2017 Thank-you Pamela - that's lovely! I have heard it before, but didn't know where it was from 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
Rocio July 12, 2018 Hello 🙂 I would like to share this graphic for a blog post I am doing. I would like to keep it attached to your website so coaches can find it. Let me know if this is okay with you, please 🙂 Reply
Emma-Louise July 16, 2018 Hi Rocio, this is fine with us! We designed our infographics to be helpful - and shareable! Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
Claudia April 3, 2019 I found you in a Google search as I couldn't remember the "I" in THINK! I was given this back in the 1980s in management training programs, long before online bullying needed the refresher. Reply
Emma-Louise April 3, 2019 Hi Claudia, thank-you for your comment! That's great to hear - I've had trouble finding the origin of this acronym! It's been around for quite a while then! Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
Lynda Boxwell May 25, 2020 From Claire .............. June 13, 2018 i believe it is based upon a Buddhist saying: Before you speak, let your words pass through 3 gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Reply
Emma-Louise May 27, 2020 Hi Lynda, that definitely fits the THINK Acronym. Thank-you for that reference 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
Cristi A Cave August 12, 2020 I found a little hand-made book of my mother's, when she was a little girl, that had this saying in it. And she quoted it to me once as well. This little book would have been made in about 1946. The difference was that "Inspiring" was definitely not the word for "I". That "Inspiring" part strikes me as very wrong. We should never speak unless we think our words are inspiring? If so, only narcissists would be talking. I believe the original might well have been "Important." Reply
mturcott September 1, 2020 How interesting! Yes, maybe Inspiring isn't always possible but in the image it also says "Does it IMPROVE on the silence". Reply
Paul March 21, 2021 Here it becomes interesting. (No pun.) Although acronyms may be useful, the difference between Important and Necessary is often overlooked in this scenario. Also, a thought is easily lost in translation to the spoken word, and words that may trigger the listener don't really help (to convey the message, any message). With this in mind, Kind should alwas come first, imo. And then there is Inspiring, often misused for Motivating, and vv. Inspiring, Important, Necessary, Helpful and Interesting may well be within the Buddhist's Necessary. I wonder who translated the Buddhist saying into English? Also, in Al-Anon and Co-dependents Anonymous (CoDA) I came across different versions of the THINK tool. Reply
Noelle October 7, 2020 It’s from the 12 step program, Al-anon. Z12 step programs are largely based on Buddhist principals. Reply
Ron April 14, 2024 My understanding is that the 12 steps are based on Judeo-Christian principles. Specifically it was based on the Sermon on the Mount, 1st Corinthians 13, and the book of James. Reply
Ramos Hector April 5, 2021 I could not remember Helpful or Inspiring and it kept my up at night until I googled it. The most important (I think)is the other three; True, Necessary, Kind which came naturally to me. Reply
Michela Phillips April 5, 2021 I'm glad you resonate with the acronym, Ramos. Thanks for sharing! Kindly, Michela Reply
Aspie The One and Only May 9, 2022 The source of this acronym is universal, Buddha, Sufism, the bible etc. This THINK acronym is an evolution of those principles. I also like these: One needs to be silent in order to listen. And both silent and listen use the same letters. And: everything you say needs to be true, but not everything that is true needs to be said. Reply
Amy September 20, 2022 I don't remember the first time I heard this but, as someone else commented, it IS tubeless! I am a Christian and it is a great "nutshell" for many scriptures that focus on our speech/talk. Specifically, I'm studying in James right now. Reply
Ellen October 14, 2022 I personally learned THINK through AL-Anon. 🙂 I was out on the interwebs looking for a corporate way to integrate it at work as I am a people leader and voila. Thank you! Reply
Emma-Louise October 18, 2022 So glad you found this THINK Acronym Graphic helpful! 🙂 Warmly, Emma-Louise Reply
