Okay, I admit it. I don\u2019t suffer fools gladly.<\/span><\/p>\n
In fact, after 35 years of daily contact, it\u2019s difficult to suffer them at all. When a lawyer makes untrue statements or glosses over important facts, it makes me crazy, and I attack. While this is not something I admire about myself, it has become my conditioned response. But is it a wise one?<\/span><\/p>\n
Bad things happen when you lose your cool. We can all recall times when somebody triggered us at a negotiation, turning the conference into a food fight. And the last thing a judge wants to hear is lawyers bickering at the bench. With our adrenaline addiction, ferocious egos, and competitiveness, few lawyers can control themselves when provoked. But this is precisely what we must do to be successful both as negotiators and advocates (1).<\/span><\/p>\n
Let\u2019s all benefit from my personal exploration of this subject. The class: Reactivity 101. Your syllabus:<\/span><\/p>\n
Week 1: Decide whether to engage at all.<\/span><\/h4>\n
We all know lawyers who love to quarrel. No matter the subject, they gotta argue and have the last word. Maybe it's best just to let them! Remember, if you walk away, there is no oxygen for their fire.<\/span><\/p>\n
Instead of arguing over a paltry issue, respond, \u201cyou may be right,\u201d or \u201cI guess we\u2019ll see\u2026\u201d Don\u2019t burn nervous energy over trifles.<\/span><\/p>\n