While I was in Detroit a few days ago I visited with my friend Jeff Zaslow…he of Wall Street Journal and The Last Lecture fame. (Actually Randy Pausch is the one who did The Last Lecture but Jeff co-wrote the book with Randy) I always enjoy our time together since we make the past better than it really was while commiserating about the future. And, of course, we talk about the various things we’re writing.
This visit got me thinking about an article Jeff published in the Wall Street Journal a short time ago: Keeping Your Foot Away From Your Mouth. It seemed like a great topic to follow up on my last post…How’s Your Reputation. Since you can read the entire article yourself, and Jeff is a great writer so you should, I’m only going to mention one thing he talked about.
Think before you speak. Think about the words, the context, and how you’ll be understood. Jeff quotes Sam Levenson on this topic: “It’s so simple to be wise, just think of something stupid to say and then don’t say it.”
Sam Levenson
The other thing I want to mention is a favorite notion of mine. What people say when their guard is down is generally what they truly believe. When Mel Gibson is drunk and ranting you get his true feelings about the various ethnic groups he disparages. When BP Chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg says under pressure “We care about the small people” you know exactly where he’s coming from.
It’s not only your words you need to watch but those of your employees, peers, business partners, vendors, and whoever else you interact with on a regular basis. Notice what they say when stressed. Notice what they say to you in unguarded moments.
If you’re not happy with yourself…change. If you’re aghast at what you hear from others…you might try educating them or perhaps it’s just best to find new people to spend time with. The important thing to think about is what kind of person you want to be…and what kind of people you want around you.
By the way, Sam Levenson also said “insanity is hereditary, you get it from your children.”