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The Right Response

Audio / Produced by The High Calling

Transcript

First came the public meeting where the boss chose Jan’s project over David’s. Then came the private confrontation. David accused Jan of undermining him. Going behind his back. Sabotaging his team.

Jan replied by quietly gathering her material and returning to her office. It took about an hour, but David showed up. “I believe my solution is better,” he said, “but my reaction wasn’t. You played fair, and you won. I apologize.”

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Anger is a great tool for stoking fires, but a poor way to douse them. Given the chance, hot tempers usually cool down. The right response to an angry colleague may be no response at all...in the high calling of our daily work.

Image by Cobalt123. Used with permission. Sourced via Flickr.