Don't Punish People
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Don't punish people. Simple as that.
Some human beings are tough and difficult to deal with. You're certainly going to encounter conflict and static, or butt heads with people that you work with at some point.
Despite that being the case:
Don't be the kind of person that punishes other people.
Things like this happen in workplaces, where someone does something that’s spiteful, or they don't help someone on purpose, for example, to get back at them.
It is cruel to do things that are intended to punish somebody else — to cause them to suffer in some way — maybe because you are holding a grudge, or you're mad at them, you don't like them, or for whatever reason. It’s mean, emotionally immature behavior that is poison to workplaces.
Whether you're a leader, part of a team as a human being, just be the kind of person who does not deal in punishment of other people.
Act like an adult.
If someone does something to wrong you, or they hurt your feelings, deal with it and resolve things like an adult. Have boundaries, communicate clearly and effectively, address it directly with that person and try to resolve it at the source.
And regardless of what that outcome is, continue to act like an adult and move forward.
Yes, I am fully aware of the reality that a nice, clean resolution is not always possible when you're talking about dealing with difficult people.
Your behavior defines you.
You get to choose how you behave and treat other people. Everything that you do is a choice that you make, and your behavior defines you.
Don't treat other people based on who they are, treat them based on who you are. Are you the kind of person who is mean, who is spiteful, who does things to punish for revenge?
Don't drill holes in other people's boats.
Even if they deserve it, even if you can justify it, which we are great at doing as human beings.
You get to choose how you show up in the world. How you treat other people defines you, it does not define them.
Don't punish people. Don't be an asshole:)
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This article was created by Galen Emanuele for the #culturedrop. Free leadership and team culture content in less than 5 minutes a week. Check out the rest of this month's content and subscribe to the Culture Drop at https://bit.ly/culturedrop