Conflicted @ Work
I used to get all worked up.
More than I wanted to admit.
People in the meetings I attended (in person) would disagree with me.
They didn’t do it in a way that was respectful either. They did it in a way that made me look bad and made them look good. I would get embarrassed, mad, and wanted to lash out! While they were putting me down I was formulating my response. I couldn’t let them get away with what they said – making me look like a professional dummy!
Fast forward to today. Now the same thing happens in a Zoom meeting but virtually. And I still get worked up! But instead of everyone focusing on what the person is saying now they can see my immediate reaction in real-time because my image is right next to the person that is saying all that stuff about me!
It makes me so mad… I want to strike back!
How do you react to conflict at work? Do you react the same way that I do?
People are watching us. They look for our response when people put us down. Our body language can be even more evident in a video meeting sometimes because it is so easy to see our reaction while the person is speaking unkindly about us.
Our response can be better though! A Real Christian Businessman remembers that the way we react is a reflection of who we represent. By lashing back and being ruder than the person that puts us down doesn’t show us being Christ-like. Responding respectfully (even when others are not) is a sign of not only respect but also what we ultimately believe: That God created everyone and he even loves that person being mean to us too!
So the next time you are in a meeting and someone rudely puts you down, remember to respond with grace and mercy.
That type of response will be remembered more than we realize.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matt 7:12 (NIV)