A virtual cauldron of emotions run high every day at your place of employment, no matter how you slice it. I mean, humans are humans and we will react to certain situations in certain ways (for better or worse). That being said, I’m willing to wager you feel the way I do and wish to minimize the number of times Swingline staplers get tossed around as a means of “stress management”.

I’ve had my fair share of disrespect, both intentional and unintentional (who hasn’t, right?). What made the difference between a step back in my career path and turning such displays of projected unprofessionalism by anonymous individuals is how I handled it.

Think of being served a bitter dish of disrespect as being on the receiving end of a misplaced pass in a game of 1-on-1 hoops. The ball’s in your court, and all responsibility is now on your shoulders to be the better human. By not taking things personal in the workplace and dealing with issues from a strictly professional standpoint, you grant yourself the ability to take the high road.

Looking at a less than desirable situation from a standpoint outside pure emotion, and more in the realm of sensible intelligence is indeed part of what distinguishes the successful from the unsuccessful. Such discipline in your personal commitment to professionalism will exponentially ward off future attacks by unsavory persons.

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