“You can add salt to soup.But once you do, you can’t take it out.”

-Sylvia Sklover

At work, when things get difficult, when events upset you, when people seem to deserve harsh response, take a deep breath and, if necessary, take a brief walk around the corner before responding. Once said, or once written, and with an email, once transmitted, you can never take back those words, or that tone, or the damage they may do. It takes so long to build a relation, and a reputation, and so little to lose them, especially these days. Hold off on “the salt” until you are sure “the soup” really needs it.

© 2010 Alan L. Sklover. All Rights Reserved. Commercial Use Prohibited.