Thursday, August 09, 2012

When Dealing with Weasels


You can trust weasels...to be weasels. Don't expect them to share your values. They don't. That's why they're weasels. 

Don't be tricked into evaluating an issue with their belief system. Examine the premise.

The side that cares least has the power. Are they counting on you caring too much about an issue? Consider reducing or abandoning your concern. 

Expect them to violate the ground rules. They may do so just to see how you react. Make sure your reaction is not a weak one.

Don't reward bad behavior with concessions. If they act like jerks, you shouldn't act like a jerk but they should lose ground and your position should harden.

They may try to provoke you. See that for the ploy that it is. Not every comment deserves a response.

Beware of your internal restrictions, such as a lifetime of courtesy and an adherence to certain ways of doing business. Maintain your ethics but be prepared to throw them a curve.

Don't believe a word they say.

2 comments:

Richard (Rick) Georges said...

Substitute opposing counsel and clients and it still works.

Kurt Harden said...

Dealt with this kind yesterday. I think we held up well under the fine check list.