Somebody asked me recently, "How do you tell someone they're acting stupid without telling them they are stupid?". If I unpack that question and break it down, it might sound something like, "How do I tell someone that their behavior is causing problems and is very likely to cause more problems for themselves as much as anyone else, without shaming them or pushing them in the direction of denial?"or, "How can I offer corrections in a way that is likely to be listened to and acted on?"
Historically, in many cultures the answers to these sorts of questions are to be found in shared stories that teach lessons about what is considered wise and moral behavior within a given community, and illustrate consequences of common misbehaviors people engage in. Teaching stories, fables, sermons, puppet shows and fairy tales all serve to inform children and newcomers about community expectation, and provide a tool chest of possible responses to situations as they arise. Shared stories transmit cultural knowledge.
One big problem we are having in our cultures today, is that we don't share those stories with each other much any more. Cultural knowledge is shared mainly through the education and entertainment industries, and is not very responsive to local needs and situations. We also don't get much chance to learn how to tell teaching stories that will be listened to, so our attempts to influence each other's bevavior for the better are largely ineffective and often counterproductive.
We end up telling people they are stupid, whether we intend to or not. When what you are saying sounds like, "You're stupid and worthless." to the person you are talking to, the results are not good. The person has the choice before them to believe that they are stupid and worthless, or reject the correction you offered them.
There are other ways of offering corrections, ways that allow the listener to learn the lessons offered without also receiving the message that they are hopelessly flawed and incapable. Some of the best stories created by our entertainment industry do just that, and we can look to those stories, both for clues as to how to tell a story that will be listened to, and to use the best of those stories as teaching tools to meet the needs of local situations.