Is that sanction or sanction?

Do you want to sanction that or should we put a sanction on it? That sounds redundant, however, sanction can have two diametrically opposite meanings. It can mean to formally approve, but sanction also means a formal restriction.

Yesterday I saw a woman walking about ten yards from me. She tilted her head to one side. She may have been holding a cell phone, but from the angle I saw her I couldn’t say for sure. She emanated either hysterical laughing or deep sobbing. I couldn’t tell if she just lost her job or had found out great news.

These examples indicate the importance of true communication. We have to provide an atmosphere where open and honest communication is possible. An important aspect on our part is sensitivity. If we lash out formally or informally when we hear something we don’t like or don’t understand, we are creating a communication barrier. Others should feel comfortable asking if we mean sanction or sanction. We need the sensitivity to discern if someone is upset or if they are experiencing schadenfreude.