Every interaction we have with someone else has the potential to make a huge difference, whether we intend it to or not. What we say, what we do, or maybe even how we say it, can have a far-reaching impact.
Imagine this: On your drive to work someone rudely cuts you off on the highway, making you miss the exit and then you get stuck in heavy traffic trying to loop back around. By the time you get to the parking garage, you’re cranky, frazzled, rushed.
Walking across the street from the parking lot to your office, you pass a homeless person on the corner. He's a regular and you see him there every day, maybe you've exchanged pleasantries from time to time, or perhaps, even occasionally, you've given him a buck or two. But today, you're not in the mood. Sure, you've got some extra change in your pocket, but that incident on the highway is still haranguing you, so you don't want to be bothered and are not in the mood to acknowledge the guy’s outstretched hand. Maybe you even snarl at him to leave you alone. Other people see you ignore him and emulate your indifference, also deciding to ignore him. Unbeknownst to you, the homeless guy is diabetic and doesn’t get enough money to buy food that day, he suffers a medical crisis that evening. But you know nothing about that, you're just storming into your office late because of that idiot on the highway.
When you finally get in the office - you’re still off your game. Maybe in your bad mood, you snap at your coworker, Sara. Now Sara’s in a bad mood. Her whole day is thrown off and she gets snippy with others. Everyone else in the office notices the tension, now they are all stressed. They go home carrying that stress, wind up being impatient and intolerant, maybe yell at their kids over something petty, or don’t take time to help their kids with their homework and the kids feel the tension, can't focus on studying and fail their test the next day.
So how will you wield your power? The only difference between a superhero and a villain is how they use their power.
Here’s your challenge: Review the above scenario – think about what alternative reactions and actions could have taken place to change the entire scenario into something positive, effective, or productive. Now, think about recent situations you have been through - are there things you could have changed to reach a healthier outcome?
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