Taking The High Road (Part 2)
Months ago, I wrote a post about taking the high road. Sometimes, it really stinks. I mean really.
I don’t like saying negative stuff about people and companies. And, my guess is most of us don’t (hmmm . . maybe I’m wrong about that). But, sometimes you just want to call out the absolutely idiotic behavior of others. Then your sensibilities set in and you realize it would be majorly uncool so you don’t.
You have to be careful though, not to confuse taking the high road for being a doormat. If people are bad-mouthing you or jerking you around, you need to stick up for yourself. If you don’t, no one else will. And, if people around you are doing things that are unethical, illegal or immoral, then not speaking up isn’t 
The important thing to remember when addressing these matters is, stay with the facts and take individual personalities out of the equation.
It’s also important to remember who you work for and what you do for a living. I’ve seen so many people make snarky remarks and then wonder why people won’t do business with them. Duh – because you made it personal (remember stick to the facts).
But actually, the one I’ve seen more often is people who won’t stick up for themselves or what’s right and wonder why people won’t do business with them. Let’s face it…if you aren’t willing to stand up for what you believe in, why would any company hire you and give you access to their employees, equipment, money, etc. You haven’t demonstrated that you’ll act in the best interest of anyone, much less their company.
Simply put, taking the high road means not lowering yourself to the snippy comments of others. It isn’t about avoiding conflict at all costs. Conflict and disagreement can often bring positive change. Hmmm…I see a post about conflict coming in the near future…
Image courtesy of Peter McDermott
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