Ducks in a Row: Consider the Source
by Miki Saxon
Giant corporation, medium company, small biz or startup chances are you have in the past or are working now with someone you can’t stand.
The cause can be anything from annoying habits to seriously bad performance, but the result is the same—it drives you nuts.
HBR provides some good advice on the subject in How to Work with Someone You Hate that is useful to anybody and in non-work situations.
But there is one attitude I’ve relied on for most of my life that has served me well, “consider the source of the comment before considering the comment itself.”
Typically, we do the opposite taking in the words along with any baggage, and allowing them to do their worst.
Whereas, if we consider the source, including who said them, our relationship with that person, respect level, circumstances and context, the impact of what was actually said dissipates completely.
Considering the source is worth sharing with your kids, friends and colleagues.
Over the years I’ve found it takes the bite out of the majority of critiques, criticisms and commentary that fill our days.
Even remembering it late, after the hurt or upset has died down, has put things in perspective more times than I can count.
Try it; you’ll be surprised how much more positive, not to mention peaceful, your world will become.
Flickr image credit: fauxto_digit
