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This is a (hopefully) small matter that has recently been on my mind, and which I would like to get out of the way sooner rather than later.
Currently, on the Warning Tracker, we list acts of hostility or poor conduct in discussions (or similar offenses) as 'Incisive behaviour'. I don't know when this pattern started, but I have kept the pattern up in the times I have updated the Warning Tracker myself, as I was one of the proponents of ensuring formatting is kept consistent between offenses.
However, there's a small problem here, which is that the semantics make no sense. To quote some of the relevant definitions of 'Incisive':
I think my issue here is rather evident - 'Incisive behaviour' is not only a poor description of hostile conduct, it's a fairly explicitly complimentary term. To say someone acted 'incisively' is to say that they were astute, sharp-minded, intelligent and decisive. That's obviously not something someone would be warned for, hence why I was confused what the phrasing was trying to communicate when I first read it on the Warning Tracker. I only neglected to bring it up at the time because I was more concerned with other matters.
This is ultimately a small problem, but one that would be easier to address now than later. I doubt I am the only person who has been confused by this phrasing on the Warning Tracker, and I further doubt no one else will be confused by it in the future. To save our future selves from any misunderstandings, I would like to simply suggest blanketly replacing all instances of 'Incisive behaviour' in the Warning Tracker with 'Disruptive behaviour'. If a few staff members can agree to this change, I would happily handle it myself.
Currently, on the Warning Tracker, we list acts of hostility or poor conduct in discussions (or similar offenses) as 'Incisive behaviour'. I don't know when this pattern started, but I have kept the pattern up in the times I have updated the Warning Tracker myself, as I was one of the proponents of ensuring formatting is kept consistent between offenses.
However, there's a small problem here, which is that the semantics make no sense. To quote some of the relevant definitions of 'Incisive':
(of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking. (Google)
(of an action) quick and direct. (Google)
expressing an idea or opinion in a clear and direct way that shows good understanding of what is important (Cambridge Dictionary)
impressively direct and decisive (as in manner or presentation) (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
You use incisive to describe a person, their thoughts, or their speech when you approve of their ability to think and express their ideas clearly, briefly, and forcefully. (Collins Dictionary)
remarkably clear and direct; sharp; keen; acute (Dictionary.com)
I think my issue here is rather evident - 'Incisive behaviour' is not only a poor description of hostile conduct, it's a fairly explicitly complimentary term. To say someone acted 'incisively' is to say that they were astute, sharp-minded, intelligent and decisive. That's obviously not something someone would be warned for, hence why I was confused what the phrasing was trying to communicate when I first read it on the Warning Tracker. I only neglected to bring it up at the time because I was more concerned with other matters.
This is ultimately a small problem, but one that would be easier to address now than later. I doubt I am the only person who has been confused by this phrasing on the Warning Tracker, and I further doubt no one else will be confused by it in the future. To save our future selves from any misunderstandings, I would like to simply suggest blanketly replacing all instances of 'Incisive behaviour' in the Warning Tracker with 'Disruptive behaviour'. If a few staff members can agree to this change, I would happily handle it myself.