Good Morning,

The idea for this week’s message came from LinkedIn and a blog from a lawyer I had never heard of before. It dealt with lawyers who yell, scream & holler using intimidation as opposed to those who remain calm, cool and collected projecting confidence when dealing with the facts and people as individuals.

I believe this message is true, not just with lawyers, but in all walks of life and all dealings with people.

True, the one who yells, screams and demands may intimidate some into going along. Many, like me, however, will tend to dig ourselves in and say no way, sometimes just because of the way we were treated.

Acting with civility, one can still have a purpose or a goal and keep working toward it if it is worthwhile. Civility means keeping calm without losing it. Civility means understanding people, not only what they are saying but why they are saying it. Civility may mean changing our tactics. Civility may mean allowing the other side, so have a gracious out without admitting defeat. After all, no one likes to lose, particularly among their peers. Yes, civility may even require an occasional outburst to get the attention of a specific person. It may even require giving them a dose of reality. This should be the exception and not the norm.

How do you approach situations with actual or possible disagreements, pressure and emotion?   Do you approach them with civility or do you become confrontational relying on bluster and fear tactics.

Think about it and if necessary, act upon it.

If you would like to read the blog mentioned above, just click this link:

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7448711022309171200/

Jim