Treating Others with Respect

You may even be entitled to your arrogance! It's possible that you are that smart or that good. You may look at others and think, "Stupid, thick headed, uninformed." It may occur to you to wonder why others just don't "get it".

Because you are frustrated at their lack of whatever, you may feel justified in being short tempered, rude, or dismissive.

I often urge people to remember the French Revolution. Never was it made so clear that there are consequences for treating others as inferior.

If you have a tendency toward rude or dismissive behavior, please review the following....often:

• You may not be as smart as you think you are!
• Sometimes others will choose to set you up (because you deserve it) by withholding important information.
• You may be underestimating your target. Perhaps the other person is not as versed as you are on the topic at hand, but that is not a good reason for assuming this person is inferior. If you have miscalculated, you may regret it.You never know when this person might stand between you and something you want.
• If you are thinking that the other person does not understand the low regard you have for him/her, you are probably wrong. If you are thinking it, assume they know it. "Condescending" has a way of seeping through even the most elegantly crafted communications. 

Get over yourself. You can accurately presume that each and every person has something valuable to contribute and just because you are smartie does not mean you are the most valuable person in the room!