I am puzzled by …

Part of

Sounding Reactions

Description

Share what bothers you, confuses you, or feels inconsistent.

Purpose

This reaction card creates space for expressing confusion or concern in a constructive way. It signals that something doesn't make sense to you or feels misaligned, inviting clarification or further exploration.

When to Use

When something doesn't make sense to you
To voice concerns in a non-confrontational way
When you spot potential inconsistencies
To highlight areas that need clarification

Examples

"I am puzzled by how these two goals align with each other"
"I am puzzled by the gap between the data and the conclusion"
"I am puzzled by why this approach was chosen over the alternative"
"I am puzzled by what happens between step 2 and step 4"

Tips

Frame as your own confusion, not as criticism
Be specific about what doesn't connect for you
Assume positive intent and invite explanation
Use this to surface important questions without blame