How to keep emotions and business seperated

Filed in archive Consultancy on April 4, 2007

When you have been working on something for a while, in a team or on your own, it often hurts bad when someone comes along and states it's worthless. Being an emotional entity you are likely to make a common mistake : respond emotional. And that often ends badly. Here's how to avoid it.

• Be enthousiastic about it, but don't make it personal.


• If you get too close, even justified comment can spark those emotions.
  


• If someone makes remarks about it that you find stupid, try and find out from what angle that person looks at it.


• You can't blame someone for not having the exact same knowledge as you.
  


• If emotions light up anyway after comments, step away.


• Take a short break for coffee or a walk outside before you respond.
  


• Read all comments clearly and analyze it.


• Only respond after having given it good thought.
  

You'll see it is easier dealing with things you love. But don't fall in the snakepit : business is business. It is not, and should not be, personal.