Show you care about people by speaking the truth and using kind words

Here’s a good business practice to begin right now: If something that someone is doing is upsetting you, tell them immediately and tell them with kindness. When you do that, they will usually be more than happy to help accommodate you in order to make you more comfortable. In addition, it doesn’t build up into something bigger than it is. You become more and more annoyed while the person that could have done something about it has no earthly idea that you are upset. Eventually, you explode–however gently–and can no longer keep it inside.

I had a meeting at my house the other night and received an email the next day from someone who was very sensitive to my scented candles. Boy, I didn’t even think of that! And I sure wish I had since nothing bugs me more than someone sitting next to me who has perfume (especially a perfume I dislike) on.

But what gets me is that this person waited nearly 24 hours to tell me and you could tell by the tone of the email that the scented candles really grated. And there was no longer anything I could do about it except to feel badly.

I would have been more than happy to blow them out. Instead, I spent another few hours the next day feeling horrible that I had made someone uncomfortable in my home.

Lessons: (1) Don’t use highly scented anything in large groups of people you don’t know. There are so many people out there who have allergies or are extra sensitive. (2) Learn to be direct and to speak the truth with kindness and respect for the other person’s intentions.