Why is being "defensive" such a bad thing?

If I'm wrongly accused of something, why wouldn't I defend myself? Why wouldn't I defend the people and things I care about?

At what point does being "defensive" go from a fair response to aggression to being a form of aggression itself?

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midnightrose · F

I think if you jump to conclusions and automatically get defensive. Sometimes there are misunderstandings, we interpret something somebody said wrong. We need to make sure we correctly understand the message before we get defensive.

SW-User

@midnightrose True. Sometimes defensiveness is too quick and too hostile, and it may be the result of a misunderstanding.

HerKing · 61-69, M

@midnightrose I would say then that person imparting the good news makes it unambiguous and doesn't allow any room for misinterpretation. I think a lot of HR staff go to a finishing school where they're told they can say things that are deeply offensive and it's okay.