BECOME HARD TO OFFEND
A simple rule for happiness (and leadership) is to become very hard to offend.
More often than not, other peoples’ actions have very little to do with you. Their actions are informed by a myriad of forces including their beliefs, experiences, upbringing, personality, education, emotions, or just whether they’re having a bad day or not. The more you react, the less peace and happiness you have.
Everyone does the best they can with what they know. Their best may not be good enough for you, but being offended by their actions, or participating in their emotional dramas, hands them control over your emotions.
If you think about it, it’s also rather self-important to assume others’ actions are all about you, and self-importance is a sure pathway to misery.
As a leader, it’s important to take your work seriously, but equally important not to take yourself too seriously.
INSPIRATION FROM OTHERS
“What weakens us is feeling offended by the deeds and misdeeds of others. Our self-importance requires that we spend most of our lives offended by someone.” – Carlos Castaneda
“He who takes offense when no offense is intended is a fool, and he who takes offense when offense is intended is a greater fool.” – Brigham Young
QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON
- On a scale of 0-10, how easily are you offended by others?
- How does taking offense affect your happiness and effectiveness as a leader?
- How could you become harder to offend in the future?
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