A recent Enableher post discusses the challenges of working for and with challenging adults. The article alludes to the desire to sever the relationship and speak the truth, but she does not advise this course of action. Indeed, burning bridges is an ill-advised, final emotional act, one that will not serve any of us well.
First, the satisfaction in telling off someone is brief. I can’t speak for everyone, but I have found a fair degree of self-loathing present after I have told off another. At the very least, I set a higher standard for myself–in spite of the occasional failure to meet that standard. I wish to treat others as I would like to be treated, the old Golden Rule. Whether someone deserves a sound verbal drubbing or not just doesn’t measure up to the standards I strive to meet.
