The late Maya Angelou once said, “When someone tells you who they are, believe them.”

That sounds simple, but it’s a lesson most of us don’t always remember.

This means if someone shows you that they are kind and compassionate, believe that’s who they are. If they show you they are egotistical and nasty, believe that, too.

The problem comes when we either don’t pay attention to what people are telling us, or we insist on learning the same lesson over and over again. Today’s social media tools fan and fuel the fire, so that more and more people can have the same kind of reaction.

We see this in politics on a regular basis. Regardless of your political persuasion, by now you should know that the key players in Washington are nothing if not predictable. Trump will be Trump; Pelosi will be Pelosi; Bernie will be Bernie; etc.

Yet we see an uproar every time any of these people (or other players) do something that someone doesn’t agree with. Rather than erupt in righteous indignation, wouldn’t it make sense to say, that’s about what we expected from that individual–what do we do if we don’t agree? How do we change the situation?

This applies in business as well. Over time, you’ll learn that your employees, your customers, your suppliers, and others will usually act in a predictable manner. If you don’t like their reaction, don’t blame them. Think instead about what needs to change to generate a different reaction.

Because too much righteous indignation tells us who you are, too. Believe me.

How do you act in a climate of change? Read my article.

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